Overview & Reviews

Few cars are as instantly recognizable as the Mini. Loved for its diminutive dimensions and cheerful good looks, the British-born car has inspired passionate devotion both in the U.S. and abroad. The brand was briefly discontinued, but was revived in 2002 with help from BMW. Successfully paying homage to the original Mini Cooper of the 1960s, the reincarnated Cooper combines an athletic, BMW-engineered chassis with a space-efficient interior and a generous standard features list.

The history of the Mini make began in 1959. The original Mini car was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in England and its mission was to be a lightweight, agile four-passenger car that took up minimal space. In a sense, the brand was born out of necessity. The United Kingdom was subject to fuel rationing in the wake of the Suez crisis, and British consumers clamored for vehicles that offered optimum fuel efficiency.

The car was originally sold under BMC's Austin and Morris brands; the Mini name didn't make an appearance until 1961. Although it had just 34 horsepower, the Mini was the ideal urban car and proved popular in crowded European cities. In 1961, John Cooper, a man who built Formula One racecars, put his magic hands on the Mini and the result was the ferocious Mini Cooper. His Cooper S model had (at 76 hp) more than double the output of the standard Mini. That infusion of power, along with suspension tweaks and some really good driving, had Mini winning the Monte Carlo Rally four years in a row (1964-'67). The marque landed on American shores in 1962.

The '60s truly was the decade of the Mini. New variations on the car's theme came with the introduction of vehicles like the Mini Pickup and the Mini Moke, a vehicle that resembled a quirky cross between a Mini and a Jeep. The car's abbreviated proportions are even rumored to have played a part in sparking a fashion trend; the miniskirt raised hemlines and became emblematic of an era. Mini motorcars tore up the asphalt on the silver screen, with the brand's appearance in the 1969 film The Italian Job. By the end of the decade, more than 2 million Mini motorcars had been produced. Sadly, the vehicle was pulled from the United States in 1968, in the wake of strict new emissions regulations.

Though no longer available in the U.S., Mini remained in production in Europe through the '70s and '80s. By the mid-'80s, more than 5 million Minis had been produced worldwide. In 1994, the brand was acquired by the BMW Group. The marque went on hiatus in 2000, but was resurrected (and brought back to American shores) in 2002 with the launch of the entry-level, front-drive Mini Cooper hatchback. Thoroughly modern in every way, right down to its BMW-engineered suspension, steering and brakes, the Mini Cooper is sold alongside its cousins at BMW dealerships.

Today, Mini's offerings include various derivatives of the Cooper, including a coupe, a roadster and a convertible; the slightly longer Clubman; high-performance John Cooper Works variants; and even the crossover SUV-inspired four-door Countryman. With such a diverse, fun-loving lineup, it's no wonder that Mini has become one of America's most desirable small car automakers.

User Reviews:

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  THE BEST - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By RON NORRIS - November 2 - 10:00 am

  If you want a small sporty car with pizzaz, get one! The fit and finish is just about perfect. I used to work at the factory where they are made. They must have changed a lot of things, because the MGs we turned out were crap in comparison> Ron

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  Mini Max - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By kennerly - October 29 - 5:20 pm

  This is my second Mini S, my first I purchased as soon as they were available in 2002. Ive never owned a better car, (since 1964 Ive had everything from VW convertibles to a 280SL Mercedes), and Ive never been happier with a vehicle. My 05 Mini S convertible is fast, corners well, and looks great. If you want to meet people, this car is a real conversation starter, because a day doesnt go by without someone asking, "How do you like your Mini?" The bottom line? I love it!

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  Why my wife loves her Mini - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By kuznetsov - October 29 - 2:00 am

  This is actually my wifes car. She "loves it because its fun to drive, very responsive, and you can park it just about anywhere." I like the extensive safety features.

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  Pride and Joy - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By DavidP - October 28 - 10:00 am

  Although I did not pay as much for my MINI as most of the reviewers on this site did I love my car just the same. Im extremely satisfied with the uniqueness and the overall performance of the car. I can only predict that the people that gave it a bad review never drove the old one.

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  dont call me cute! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By boboso - October 22 - 10:00 am

  "What a cute little car!What is it?"is a phrase I often hear about my Mini Cooper S. OK, aside from the bug-eyed smiley face up front, and the small size, those features belie the snarling little monster underneath the hood that creates the very generous power and torque band this supercharged, 1.6 liter mill creates! Oh yeah, and the BMW-inspired suspension (multi-link rear, ala 3-series) will devour tight turns and freeway on-ramps. Kinda makes you think you are a lesser version of Juan-Pablo Montoya!You are also to be pleased by the well-thought interior, the rear seats (fold-down) seem roomier than a CLK Mercedes.

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  I should have my head examined - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Eddie Mikell - October 20 - 3:10 pm

  I bought this car instead of a miata because I thought I need 4 seats. WHAT WAS I THINKING? What a joke vehicle. It leaks oil, it shudders on acceleration. Its unreliable. People will tell you its the ride man, the ride, but the ride doesnt make up for all the repair bills, or lack of body integrity. Its cute, but it is a lemon.

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  the best car I ever own! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By alfonso pruneda - October 18 - 7:23 pm

  the best car in all history.

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  Makes me feel young. - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Ted - October 18 - 10:43 am

  My 2005 MINI Cooper S Convertible is my weekend car. It is extremely fun to drive. I park my SUV in the driveway after work and just take off with my MINI. It is a throw back to my younger days.

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  Not Reliable - 2010 Mini Cooper
  By dynamos - October 15 - 1:41 pm

  We loved our Mini--until about 15,000 miles, when it began to run a little rough. By 18,000 miles, the check engine light came on. We took it to the local Mini dealer for service. Turns out there were multiple error messages, due to excessive carbon build-up in the engine. The problem was caused by the direct injection system. They cleaned the engine by removing the intake manifold and blowing out the engine with crushed walnut shells. Also, the timing belt tensioner was loose and leaking oil. They tightened it and replaced the gasket. The service writer stated that the repairs would have cost over $600 if the car was not on warranty.

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  Too Much Fun - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By John - October 9 - 1:43 pm

  This is the most fun car to drive. I cruise at high speeds and it is comfortable. I have a Mini Cooper S with an automatic transmission and it is like having three different transmissions in the car. Full automatic for normal driving and high fuel economy, sport automatic for increased performace, and manual stick or on steering wheel paddle shifting. Although, the transmission sometimes can act a little strange, ie. not hitting the correct gear. I look for excuses to drive this car.