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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  nice - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By erik berry - March 21 - 10:00 am

  fun fun fun could use better seats very nice in most ways great gas mileage like everything but seats get uncomfortable on long rides

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  7670226 - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By 7670226 - March 11 - 4:36 pm

  We dumped our Jetta for a Mini, and it was a great decision. It feels so exhilirating to ride. The vroom of the 1.6-liter four makes me want to go faster. The transmission, though is a different story. But there is so little body lean, it corners perfectly, why get an S model if this is enough? The rear seat is surprisingly roomy for a car this small. Most controls are simple to use. The outside is just adorable. The white goes perfectly with the black roof. Driving lamps help at night. Its sad that there isnt enough room for us and our luggage, so we cant go to Chicago with it. But its so much fun just to drive through the city. Its so playful.

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  Its a love/hate relationship - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By bebonic84 - February 28 - 9:53 am

  Since I bought the car in Nov Ive had to make the trip to the dealer four times. They had to replace the hood latch, headlights, seatbelt and power steering pump. When the power steering pump started to go it made this tremendously loud noise. So loud Id have to turn off my car in the bank drive thru. Its on its way into the shop this week actually to have the front end looked at. The tires were so incredibly expensive that I had to go out and buy run of the mill tires just to make it through this winter.

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  Maintenance monster - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By distressed mini ownr - January 16 - 10:00 am

  I love the way it drives, looks, handles but I hate that within 4 years of ownership and 60k miles Ive had to replace all 4 brakes at $600 - rotors and pads (considered normal). If you drive 50k miles on a set of brakes you are doing really well according to Mini. Drivers seat is broken, estimated repair $500 - I weigh 135lbs. Shocks on the back door replaced $135. Passenger window motor replaced (warranty), back shelf replaced (warranty). 60K tune up $400 for oil, filters and timing belt whether needed or not. Leather coverings cracked/torn. Windshield is cracked from 1st 6 months of ownership. Perhaps Ill replace it this year.

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  Super Fun But Also Expensive to Own - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Vespa2t - January 5 - 9:36 am

  After owning a MINI S for 2.5 years and 15,000 miles I can say this is the most fun car I have ever had. However, it has been the most troublesome car for me to date as well with $2000 in repairs, and that is parts only because I can repair it myself. Now, this is a car that was owned by the lead MINI tech at the dealership for its first 70,000 miles and maintained religiously since new. And now it has rust, yes rust on a 7 year old car. There are two big holes in the sheet metal just below the taillights. Keep in mind when buying one that you are buying a BMW product and thus comes with BMW prices for parts and service.

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  More fun than...... - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By phantom6 - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Excellent in every way thus far. Mileage not as great as expected, but get 30+MPG on long trips with high speeds averaging 65mph over 1000 mile runs. At this point, the best made car I have ever owned..and that includes Porsche, Ferrari, Ford, Chevy, range Rover, Cadillac and others.

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  Fun to drive when I can - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By JaeC - December 4 - 10:00 am

  First off, this is a very fun car to drive. The wheels always sticks to the road and the supercharger helps with instant push on road. BMW has done a great job putting the car together but also failed horribly on some parts. German engineering is seen and felt every where, for better or for worse. (See Suggested Improvements)

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  Almost as fun to drive as my Porsche - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Steve - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought w/15,000 miles on it. Now has 37,000.6 spd manual. Unusual instrumentation with smaller speedo and tach mounted side by side on steering wheel. Love driving the car. Its almost as fun to drive as a Porsche 911 I had. Supercharged engine has plenty of power. Handling is very good, although ride is more unforgiving than the Porsche due to the run flat tires. If you dont know, minis dont come with a spare tire, thus the run flats. Repairs that I had to deal with include a leak around the thermostat (twice), a leaky hydraulic motor mount, a minor oil leak, and a faulty passenger airbag sensor that required replacing the passenger seat cover ($1200, but covered by warranty).

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  New Mini Owner 2012 - 2012 Mini Cooper
  By marymouse - November 30 - 8:28 pm

  I just purchased a 2012 mini hardtop bayswater package. love the vehicles looks in and out, quite roomy for a little car, the back seat is a joke. think of this as a 2 seater, we keep the seat folded and just use the back for transporting goods for the store or the dogs.

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  Great Car - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Eric F - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Its kewl, and its fast, the styling rocks, and the chicks dig it.