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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  My favorite car Ive ever owned - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By fervidmuse - September 14 - 6:19 pm

  My 2006 MINI Cooper S was the second MINI Cooper S that I owned, my first being a 2003 There were so many improvements made to the 2005 and 2006 body style over the 2002-2004 models. The 2002-2004 models are just as fun but not as easy to live with. The MINI is a car that you buy if you love driving; it simply puts a smile on your face every time you get in it, even the non-S models. I particularly like the cheeky British styling altho not everyone does. It was tied for highest resale value (w/Honda Civic) for compacts! If reliability, interior space or a quiet ride (MINIs have lots of interior squeaks/rattles) are at the top of your shopping this, this probably isnt the car for you.

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  One fun car - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Hap Bullard - September 13 - 1:43 am

  Fun to drive with plenty of performance. Other than having to replace the drivers side window regulator our Mini has performed perfectley. Very comfortable and stable at 90 to 100 MPH, and still gets 25 plus miles per gallon. Great in traffic, with the 6 speed gear box you can match RPMs at any speed for a good ride. The traction control is a waste and can be dangrous if you forget to turn it off especially under hard braking or when you put some lateral Gs on her. This is the best new car Ive bought for the price, ever. If you want a car that really makes you smile,buy a Mini...

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  mini - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By mumolie - September 12 - 10:00 am

  execellent fun car to drive and be seen in.

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  Living large in a MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Salms - September 10 - 10:00 am

  You no longer need to be rich to drive an exotic foreign car. Suspension and handling are sharp, heavy and precise. No body roll dive or squat. The engine is potent and happy. The gears are well spaced; shifter is pretty good. The clutch is soft. The interior is spacious for two. The looks really are to die for! Prepare to spend a lot of time talking to passer-bys, and people at the pump. A guy in an M3 challenged me to a race, but I politely declined. This car isnt perfect-this is to be expected with a new model- maybe its just the ghost of Lucas returning from the grave.

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  Never judge a car by its appearance - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By Mac - August 25 - 1:20 pm

  I was dead set against my wife getting this car. Stupid me.. Gas milage is more than expected, handles great ( dangerously good) and very comfortable after you find your correct position. Having an armrest is a must for comfort. Ive never seen my wife so happy to get up and go to work knowing she gets to drive her Mini everyday.

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  How could you top it ? - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By miniyup - August 17 - 10:00 am

  I ordered my car in January, paid straight MSRP with no mark-ups or add- ons. 2700 miles now. My wife and I took it on a road trip to Door County WI and it makes a fine road car for two. Ok to even carry three people with luggage for a short run (2 hrs). Absolutely reliable so far. No squeeks, rattles or anything out of place - excellent build quality. Not sure I will ever think of replacing this car until it completely wears out. In terms of the total package, it is way beyond anything else in this price range and even many cars much more expensive.

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  Drive both models! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By n/a - August 8 - 2:00 am

  The S is better, but even the base Cooper sticks to the road like glue! It has absolutely zero problem taking corners at high speeds with no lateral movement or need to decelerate.

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  Hotes car ever made - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By miguel gonzales - August 8 - 2:00 am

  this car is a great , very powerful and runs like a race car , very roomy and hoping tha bmw doesnt change much the way the hatchback cooper looks like. BMW did a good job building the new cooper and hoping that will stay 4 person car not a 2 sitter car so far so good i highly recomend this car for every one is the best.

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  Best car ever! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By ksunshine11 - August 7 - 11:55 pm

  I bought a 2004 base cooper with 90,000 miles on it and I couldnt be happier! Getting 36-38 mpg average, and I dont drive like a grandma! I did my research beforehand, learned cvt transmissions and standard automatic transmissions have major problems, but standard manual is fine. Also the supercharged have water pump and cooling system issues, they do have 60 more horsepower (but only .2 sec faster than base, wth?) Repair cost are about the same as any other car, just dont take it to the dealer! But DO stay on top of maintenence. Go for the base manual, you wont be disappointed!

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  Great car but... - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By johnd - August 6 - 9:50 pm

  Great car, fun to drive. Cute as a button however, we are noticing some build quality issues. At 40K, radiator leaked, replaced battery 2 times, new belt tensioner, new engine seals. I dont know if the mechanic knew what he was doing but I found out the dealer sold his dealership shortly thereafter and all new people are working there now. Not too happy with the repairs.