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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  2007 Mini Cooper S aluminum block - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Nelson - June 6 - 8:16 pm

  My daughter bought me this car because I am poor. With this car, I am poorer. Plus, the local mechanic cant fix it and the dealer is two hours away. In fact, I took it to the dealer for cold start problems, and they could not fix it or even find the problem. Either fuel pump or carbon on valves. How can a car with less than 50,000 miles have carbon build up? And this is evidently common, perhaps a congenital defect. Also the normal maintenance, for example, the tires, is every 25,000 miles and costs $800 for horrid run flats. This car is not for one without disposable income and need for reliability.

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  2005 Mini Cooper S - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By CyKy0205 - June 3 - 1:16 am

  This car is fun to drive and own. Trying to keep it within the speed limit is difficult. I purchased a radar detector before I filled the tank for the first time. The only downside was getting the run-flat tire repaired after I picked up a nail on the street.

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  Cooper S Report Card - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By T.C. - June 2 - 12:23 am

  This is one of the most fun cars Ive ever driven...BUT it rides like my Grandfathers 1958 pickup, theres no give and you feel every bump in the road which causes bent/broken struts and or the brackets. It has seating for four with the LATCH system but its really a 2 seater. When a carseat is installed theres no room for it to be occupied unless the person in the front seat is 4 feet tall with their seat all the way forward. Being small doesnt mean saving money at the pump due to using premium gas. The limited number of dealerships creates problems for the consumer both buying/selling and getting repairs/maintanence done. When theres only one dealership in the state its very detramental for everyone.

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  mini comments - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By howard - May 28 - 10:00 am

  The Cooper S is a fun, exhilirating ang just a hoot to drive.It offers excelent, handeling, braking, exceleration and many nice creature comforts.

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  Absolutely awsome! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By baldman - May 22 - 2:00 am

  From the first time I drove the cooper-S, I knew I wanted this car. Its power and performance is incredible, yet everyone thinks "its so cute", then I blow thier doors off. I am 6-3" and 225lbs and fit very comfortably in my mini with room to spare. I love my mini!

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  Dont buy a mini with a CVT!!!! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Cindy - May 16 - 1:23 pm

  I had my heart set on a mini, and I wanted an automatic, so I purchased a used 04 mini CVT 38k,mile. The day after purchase , it would red line at 15 mph. I took it to the local mini dealership, and they told me that it was normal, that I probably was not driving it aggressively enough. So then it stalled on me at a red light, and they said this was normal, still not driving it aggressively enough. After this happening probably 9-11 times in the 6 weeks I had it, I sold it. I would have to drive it around the parking lot for about 20 min. to get it to get back to its normal self. Some people say that theirs goes out completely. I am lucky I got rid of mine while I could! DONT BUY MINI

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  this car kicks butt. - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Austin powers - May 14 - 10:00 am

  all i can say about this car is taht it is fun.

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  MINI REV - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By BING - May 11 - 6:00 pm

  By far..the BEST ADULT SPORTS CAR to have come in a long time! Hard pressed to beat its looks, performance, handling and value!!! You cant go wrong here!!!

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  Puts a smile on your face. - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By peter - May 11 - 11:16 am

  This is a fun car to drive. Excellent road feel and cornering, like driving an adult go-cart. Great sound when you step on the gas and instant response (S model). The rag-top is a no-brainer in ease to use and is a like being totally outside. The perfect toy for grown-ups!

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  Excellent - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Laura Rennick - May 10 - 4:06 pm

  The Mini is an excellent car, it handles great especially on curves. I have only had it for about two months now and have absolutely fallen in love with it. The interior design is wonderful, everything is very accessible and the inside is surprisingly roomy. It rides very smoothly and will get up and go, you have to be careful because your speed will get away from you. I highly recommend this car.