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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  Fun Fun Fun - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Sean Maestro - November 7 - 7:20 pm

  I miss my MINI Cooper. I had a 2005 custom-built to my liking and had it for 2 yrs. I had the opportunity to drive it on English roads and it was perfect for the winding narrow streets and small parking spots. I averaged 29mpg, which I thought was great, giving me about 400 miles per tank. I am 63 and was able to fit perfectly, but no one could sit behind me. I had a baby and got rid of it for an SUV - big mistake.

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  Its a BLAST! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Marty J. - November 7 - 11:46 am

  My Cooper S is a 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters, new this year. It is an absolute blast to drive! Excellent handling, great brakes and a killer Harman-Kardon sound system! And, its so cool looking. This is my second Mini, my first being a 2002 Cooper with CVT automatic. That one was great, but the S model is definitely "The Bomb"!

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  2006 MCS w/JCW Air Filter - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Craig - November 6 - 8:20 am

  This is my second MINI, my first was a 2003 MINI Cooper. I was going to wait for the new 2007 and new engine, but decided that new French engines wouldnt be a good choice in the first build year. I ordered and waited nine weeks for delivery. I have not been disappointed. The power is 100% better than the 2003 models and the interior is superior also. As with any "new" car I have had a few minor problems, none in the powerplant. Overall this MCS drives and handles like a dream and it brings a smile to me everytime out. Whether I purchase another MCS is for the future, I am enjoying this one too much now to even think about that. I would highly recommend this to any driver looking for a change in style!

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  MINI is Maxi Fun - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Zeemer - November 6 - 2:00 am

  Starting with the drive home from the dealership to the last time I stopped for a fill up theres been a steady streams of thumbs up and smiles. Its a car that inspires strangers to strike up conversations. As for as performance it has lived up the reviews I read before purchasing it.Smooth exceleration and gearbox and go kart like handling . So far , nothing but fun!

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  Fun in the fast lane - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By vadermax - November 6 - 2:00 am

  We love it. FAST, FUN, AFFORDABLE,

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  23 Years of BMW - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By S_Car_Go - November 4 - 10:23 pm

  Between my husband and I weve owned a BMW product since 1986. The Mini is truly a BMW and comes with all the benefits and the drawbacks. BMW is all about whats under the hood - great engine, handling and braking. BMW really doesnt care if your drink fits in the cupholder of if the interior uses materials that makes it look worse than an econo box. After all, youre having too much fun driving to notice! If its anything like our other BMWs, expect that each visit to the mechanic will be about $1,000 - it will happen enough to be painful but not enough to hate the car. Go to a Mini car club dinner (yes, you women too) to meet other owners and find out the best mechanics, body shop etc

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  Best over all car 2003 - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Car lover - November 1 - 10:00 am

  I feel right at home in the drivers seat of my MINI. As though the car were built just for me. Design is eyecatching, both interrior and exterrior. Handling? Ive never felt mor "ONE" with a car! Responds to my every command with ease and elegance. Even a 500Km road trip is a breeze...normally I cant wait to get to the nearest burger place while traveling up the 400! Rarely need to fill up-tremendously fuel efficient. LOVE all the attention I get at stop lights, parking lots, even on the hwy! MINI Downtown was very helpful and made me feel comfortable in my purchase...I bought the car after about 30 minutes in the showroom! This car is so ME!

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  replacement for my 911 - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By hellfire - October 28 - 8:46 am

  No its not a 911, but it is surprisingly more fun. The quirky character starts with the handling and interior, and goes all the way to the company propaganda (love the always open mantra and the crazy ads that go with it). I can pull more gs in the corners than i could with my 911 or boxster even on stock suspension & tires (love the incredulous look as i pass them on the curvy on-ramps). incredibly easy to manage the manual transmission - heel-toe downshifts are easy, rev-matching is much easier than the supercharged minis. averaging 29MPG with spirited driving+some stopngo.

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  I call it Lucille, its a ball to drive - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Joe Obermeier - October 28 - 3:30 am

  Had an original Mini in 1968. Ordered a new 2002 as soon as deposites were taken. Had the second all yellow one in South Florida. The dealer had the first. Put 23,500 mile on in and traded it in on a 2005 MINI Cooper S convertable. The perfect car for South Florida. Go topless most of the time. Fast enough to avoid most rain drops and getting too wet inside.

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  blah - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By allahbubu - October 27 - 10:00 am

  it is such a great car. I just love to drive it. The guys love it also.