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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  satisfied mini owner - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Dr Jim - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I had to pay full price plus a "premium" but I have enjoyed it. I am becoming happier every time the cost of fuel rises and the H2 drives by. Gears 2,3,4 and 5 are excellent but 1 and 6 are weak. Parking is easy but deceptive. My greatest uncertainty is will it be as reliable as a Japanese car.

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  user review - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By donmini - August 28 - 10:00 am

  We love this car!!! Not only is it cute but performs extremely well. The longest trip has been from Atlanta to Sarasota and back-a distance of about 1200 miles. It is a delightful road car as`well as around town car. Buy it youll like it!!!!!!!

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  awesome car...too small w/ baby - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Mbrown325ic - August 28 - 10:00 am

  The Mini Cooper is a blast to drive, the handling is incredible and people check you out everywhere you go. Total strangers come up to you all the time to ask about it. It looks great and I never had a single problem with it. The only negative thing I can say about it is that it is not suitable for a new baby, we had to sell mine when we had our baby in november, it was tough getting the carseat in and out and the passenger seat has to be pushed all the way forward to fit the carseat...leaving no room for a passenger to sit comfortably. Until we had our baby it was the perfect car and I highly recommend it.

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  Fun to drive - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By jerryt74 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Love this car! Fun to drive. Makes me feel young at heart and playful again. I like to just go drive now!

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  Awesome Super Cooper - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Cooper Girl - August 28 - 10:00 am

  We love our Mini. We have two other vehicles in the household (both Lexus), and we "fight" over who gets to drive the Mini every day! It is quick on its feet and sure- footed. What a fun car to drive, yet it handles very securely. Each time we drive it, people stare and ask us how we like the car. Now that the convertible is coming out, who knows, we may just have to have one of those too.

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  NICE - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Gladygarcia - August 28 - 10:00 am

  i enjoy driving it

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  Best little car made. - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By jottowag - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I have no complaints. I love everything about it. My gas milage is not quite what was stated. Driving around Honolulu, I average about 20 MPH.

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  Another Miniac - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By RodgerMcConnell - August 26 - 1:20 pm

  I love my Mini. I have the Chile Red convertible with white stripes and the car seems to glow. Mine is powered by the JCW engine kit which adds considerable lower end power to the handling equation, and while Ive grown a little jaded with the 207 HP power plant, the Mini is an absolute joy to drive. Its quick to accelerate and the precise steering engenders total confidence in the Minis predictability. All this and the Mini is soooo stylish. I live in Montana and Im accorded near rock-star adulation while on the road or even when its parked. While the car is a great social icebreaker, all the attention is almost embarrassing. People of all ages simply love this car!

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  Try the CVT automatic model - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By GaGirl - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Try the CVT model. You can drive in automatic, sport drive, or shift manually. This is a great vehicle. Go test drive one and see for yourself. It is more spacious on the inside than it looks. We put dogs, luggage, 2 adults---and were off! FUN to drive, and you get lots of questions.

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  Its LOVE - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By sabinka - August 20 - 8:20 pm

  My Mini Cooper is my sixth convertible...and it is the BEST one yet. It handles like a dream even she likes to fly. This is by far the best car Ive ever owned. PS: my boyfriend owns/ d rives vintage muscle cars and he loves to drive the MINI too.