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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  Ill Motor Again! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Mannix - July 5 - 3:13 am

  I saw my first "new" Mini sometime in late summer of 02, and was smitten! My 03 S is Indigo Blue and has the sport package, the factory tint is sooo dark. The HK stereo system rocks and this little rocket still holds all of my drums! But, the seat hugs me every day, and I actually look forward to my commutes home! Theres this particular merging ramp where I live, and I make it a point to plan my route just so I can take this banked, curvy stretch going fast.

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  Lets Motor - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By OB - July 2 - 10:00 am

  Do not believe the negatives written in this site. The only negative with this car is the wait. Those scathing emarks can only be coming from the competition. Anyone who actually owns one and driven one that these bad reviews are BS. Lets Motor.

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  Great little car - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By el12 - July 2 - 10:00 am

  I have the cvt version,it feels much smoother below 3000rpm than the 5 speed version.NO stall problem.Great little car;fun to drive;a lot of car for the money.

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  The Best Buy! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By CWs MINI - June 30 - 6:20 pm

  After 2.5 years the love still has not faded. I look forward to going places just so I can drive my MINI. I also took an opportunity to get a quote on trading it in when I went in for my FREE scheduled maintenance and found out that I would get $15,600 which is a 79.1% trade-in value. That number is exceptional! If you love getting you moneys worth and some money back in the end then this is the car for you! I couldnt believe it was still worth so much. I am already looking forward to trading it in next year and get my hands on another brand new MINI... but this time I will upgrade to the S and the JCW (the works). MINI owners know what Im talking about! I recomend this car to ALL!

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  A blast to drive, even for a tall guy! - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Brian - June 25 - 3:40 pm

  The Mini corners like a go-kart and is really fun to drive. I prefer it to my Mercedes 320 Kompressor. I have had absolutely no problems with it. Built 3x more rigid than the average car, and 5***** crash ratin, I feel safer in it than most cars. Get the dual sunroof if possible. Only downside is seeing the stoplights for a 6.6" guy, when the seat is set far back. I get 39.5 mpg 6-speed, the low EPA estimate is a joke!

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  Best compact for price, reliability& fun - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Brandon Wells - June 22 - 10:00 am

  The pure look of the mini could sell any car lover right away, but it is when you start to look at the detail and craftsman ship that has gone into the vehicle is what will make you fall flat on your ass. A 1.6 litre engine that delivers 115 horse power and steering that will turn on a dime, makes this vehicle feel like you are in the fastest go-cart in the world. Car enthusisats have been waiting years for someone to revitalize the Mini name and cudos to BMW for finaly doing so. Combing British old school styling and engineering with Current, top of the line, German engineering makes this on of the best cars on the road to drive and own.

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  So far, so good - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By fedssocr - June 21 - 4:36 pm

  I bought my MINI Cooper in March 2006. I placed the order in January but had to wait a couple of months to get my car. I dont drive very much so I only have about 3,500 miles on it so far. At first, the gas mileage seemed low, but now that everything is broken in its great. I average over 40 mpg on the highway and about 30 or so combined city/hwy. I am also fairly small so I am quite comfortable. The handling is great. Even though its "only" a base Cooper I still have plenty of passing power and zip when I need it. Its really a great little car. This car is easy to drive, easy to park.

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  Super Fun Car - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By DRG1138 - June 20 - 7:50 am

  After leasing a loser VW Jetta 1.8 T, I wanted a European car that: A-Handled like a European Car, B-Was realativly inexpensive, and C-Wasnt a peice of junk (like my Jetta). After some research and a test drive I was set on the MINI and in my humble opinion this car has scored big in critera A and B. Talk to me in six months and I will tell you about C but I am not worried. MINI will tell you that it handles like a go-kart. I say it handles like a remote control car. The ride is ruff but if you like to feel the road and be in control of the car you can not get any better for the money. Price-wise I think you are getting more car than you pay for. My MINI is awsome.

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  I Love This Car! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Mini Girl - June 19 - 7:13 pm

  Im a Mini lover from way back, and never dreamed Id own my own. Now that I do, Im finding that a car is not just a car, its an identity, a conversation starter, a hobby, an entertainment, and so much more. My kids ride in the back, and all they can talk about is becoming old enough to be able to drive it. Even my husband, who is a tough sell, says well never sell it and one day, it will be our own cool, classic car. It is light on storage, but thats not why I bought it and I find a way to carry whatever I need to. Thanks to Mini for building such a marvelous automobile. Im in love!

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  Fun, But Likely Wont Buy Another - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Kurt - June 19 - 12:46 pm

  Engine computer malfunctions cause the car to die and require a tow about every three months, each time with the family onboard. My young son went from loving it to hating it and would rather go in our Land Rover on weekends.