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 little car there is - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By robert snyder - February 28 - 10:00 am

  if you arejust going to get your first car then the mini is perfict for you it is a great little car i love mine

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  I love this car - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By type79 - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Great everyday commuter. The most fun daily driver ive ever owned.

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  love it - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Earl kinsel - February 28 - 10:00 am

  great car its a blast to drive really hugs the road on turns i drive it hard and still get decent milage

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  OMG I Love my MINI - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By LS - February 25 - 2:53 pm

  I saw a MINI probably 10 years ago, wanted one ever since-the night before picking up my MINI concerned I might not like it as well as I hoped -- on the ride home (2 hours from the dealership) I love it more than I couldve imagined - - Fall in love with it every morning all over again on my 25 mile commute Theres no comparison of the pep of this 4cyl to any American made 4cyl or quality of the overall car -Ive driven GM vehicles for 35+ yrs before this car, I think I understand why GM is having finanical difficulties, "sorry GM" I didnt take the decision to buy foreign lightly buying US was instilled in me as a child, but unfortunatly I couldnt find anything even close made by US mfg

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  Absolutely Loving It - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Patricia - February 23 - 10:53 pm

  Its wonderful! I have a 75 mile a day commute on a very winding road. This car makes the trip a lot of fun. It handles like a dream. I average 45 mpg, sometimes more, sometimes less depending on driving conditions, but I havent gotten less than 41. The controls did take some getting used to, but thats just one more thing that makes this car unique. It is surprisingly roomy. I got a pretty basic model and it is still loaded with lots of nice features that most other cars only offer as "added features". I bought this car just as a work car that would be cheap on gas, but its so fun to drive that I drive it everywhere. My other vehicles are just collecting dust.

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  New owner - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By skip2211 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2006S in October 2010. i get about 27 mpg city and 30-34 mpg highway. Sunroof will bake the driver as there is no shade ! I am having it limo tinted. Performance is great but ride is VERY stiff. Potholes feel like craters. Great handling and fun to drive. Oil change at Mini dealer is over $100.. Had to buy a bra for it as the front attracts all rocks. I am 65 and feel like a kid again! Holds resale value well but Mini dealers are few and far away and costly. Get rid of the run flat tires but then you have no spare ! It turns heads wherever I go and is bright red.

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  MINI BUZZing noise - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By al123 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performance, and fun to drive. Interior is not up to expectation. constant rattle buzz problems. Windshield developed stress crack which was not covered by warranty. After the windshield was replaced there is a constant squeaky sound from the passenger side of the windshield.

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  Disheartened - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Sheila - February 15 - 5:50 am

  I am so disheartened and and terribly worried about driving a Mini as this car suddenly stopped while I was on the road and I could have been killed. The transmission gave away and the dealer cost of fixing I was told will be $8000. He states that there was a hole in the transmission and therefore it blew up. Obviously it sounds as though it is a manufacturing problem - but they of course will not admit it and attributes it to my driving. He refuses to admit that so many others have had the same "transmission" problems.

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  Put a Smile on your face !! - 2010 Mini Cooper
  By DrDave - February 14 - 10:46 pm

  I have owned BMW automobiles and like their engineering. We bought our MINI after seeing the vehicle at the SF Auto Show and seriously considering purchasing one. We went to MINI of Concord who we have delat with in the past, always finding them very professional during and most important after the purchase. After a long test drive my wife and I decided to purchase the MINI Hardtop. After taking the car home we started to see the advantages of the vehicle and I have to admit when you drive it, it does make you smile. I handles like a go cart but not as rough a ride with the 15" wheels. Performance is really nice even with the Auto Select Shift Transmission that we got as an option.

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  Best Litle Car I have Ever Seen - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By nick - February 13 - 12:36 pm

  Ive had my MINI Cooper for 9 months and it the best car I have ever driven. I always get looks, get stoped, and get compliments on it. People are always asking "Where did you get it and how much it cost?" When I tell them, I can see that I have made a new Mini owner.