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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  NO Buyers Remorse! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Loubird - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Let me start by saying that I got my Mini in 2002.Right after they came out, and I consider myself fortunate because I was in the market for something "different, although at the time I wasnt sure what I wanted. We came upon a used car lot that does an occasional "eye candy" car, to encourage people to stop, and we did. It was so different than what I was driving, that I knew almost immediately this was it!Not one day has gone by that I regretted getting my Mini, nor do I long for any other kind of car. I have one of the original remakes, and Im lovin it!!

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  MINI Cooper Rocks - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By MBHall - April 3 - 2:00 am

  It really moves! Its fun to drive and is easy on the pocketbook.

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  big guy loves it - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By rick61 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  6-3 230lbs never thought I would fit in it..bought it for the wife but i drive it more than her

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  Awesome - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Debby Murphy - April 3 - 2:00 am

  The car is awesome, it is so much fun to drive its scary!!!!

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  Driving Passion - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By BCrandall - April 3 - 2:00 am

  The Mini Cooper S I puchased at South Motors Mini in Miami, FL from Daniel Trujillo has been one of the most exciting , pure driving cars I have experienced . The driving passion this car has brought back is thrilling. If you have not experienced a smile in you driving comute I suggest you run immediately to your nearest dealer for a test drive.The people behind the Mini are pure motoring enthusiast.

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  Cross Country Mini - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By buddysson - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my mini in 2002 and it has been the most fun car I have ever driven. My first road trip was from Charleston, SC to Los Angeles. It handles very well and loves to get onto a road with lots of curves so it can hunker down and track. On the open road it can fly and is surprisingly comfortable and roomy. It is a wonderful automobile and I highly recommend the mini.

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  Its Love - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Amandarsimon - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Reliable,attention getting, unique, not a road hog and safe, built by BMW

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  WOW What a great car! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By sharme - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This car puts a smile on my face as I drive down the street. Its unusual, cost efficient, roomier than it looks, and absolutely FUN and SAFE. I drove it for 500 miles to Las Vegas and it was just so wonderful. It hugs corners and really accelerates. You dont need a 6 cyclinder because 4 works just fine. I cant say enough good things. Great gas mileage, but not as good as you would expect, but still beats the heck out of those SUVs. Highly recommend it to anyone. Special order because it is worth the wait to get exactly what you want. It is custom for only you. Pretty special, huh!

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  I LOVE MY MINI - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By chicabonita792 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is an incredible amount of fun. Its a neat little car to zip around town in. I wouldnt use it on extremely long trips however, and the backseat is a little uncomfortable for my 6 foot friends.

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  Great Little Car - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Wyattfla - April 3 - 2:00 am

  The only downside is the cup holder!