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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  BMW @ 20k - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Cheeky - November 16 - 2:00 am

  I have never paid MSRP for any car but checked around and no one was bargaining. Graham and sales manager Bob @ Checkered Flag in VABeach, VA were absolutely wonderful and I feel honest. Purchased the tire hazard ins. @ Bobs insistance and have used it on my run flats, which are a must package. My wife drives the car and it is near impossible to pry her out of it. So far w/ 6K on the odometer it is running great with no probs. Sporty little car with great ride and handling. If you might want more try the S for a kick in the butt, Just remember to run it around 3500- 4500revs for performance. Happy in a mini!

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  Timing chain - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By okyourway - November 12 - 7:06 pm

  I love my car but it started knocking when I started the engine, and the service light was on. I have had it almost 3 years. I was dismayed to find they needed to replace the timing chain. They said they "upgraded it." With the amount of money I spent on the car, why would they need to upgrade anything? Im trying to sort things out before I give up the car I really love to call my own.

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  Expensive to own! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By carrieb - November 9 - 10:43 am

  This is a really fun car to drive but very expensive to own. Have owned less than two years and have had one thing after another malfunction. Fragile and only the dealer seems to know how to repair. Hit a pothole and had to replace the tire and rim for $1000! Considering selling and buying something more reliable.

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  2002 MINI Cooper S - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By CqqPER - November 9 - 5:13 am

  For a first year of production vehicle, my Mini has been almost trouble-free. Its a bargain to boot. It is very well designed and constructed. This car is so much fun one should be issued at birth.

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  My Alohamobile - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Dan Canete - November 8 - 7:36 pm

  Moved from an Escalade to my Mini convertible and didnt even miss the lost space. And parking is so much easier. I look forward to driving with the top down to and from work. Lucky I can do this all year round in Hawaii. I have the extra Sidewalk package that often gets second looks. And even the wife likes it. Now, thats an endorsement.

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  Awesomeness!! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By s.o.s. - November 2 - 2:00 am

  This is an awesome car that totally rocks! hehe!

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  awsome to drive - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By mad dog - November 2 - 2:00 am

  when getting a mini yall should remember to look and see what will arive and if thats what ya want buy it . but at john roberts you have to put a $1000 down payment before you even sign the papers to reserve the car. Yet once you get the car you wont regret it

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  2004 MINI Cooper S - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Lythal - October 30 - 9:06 am

  The MINI Cooper S is an exceptional small car with a big interior and great gas mileage in the city and on the highway (30/34). It easily fits four adults, with 6-ft.+ people in the front seat, or two adults and two dogs. Parking is a snap and the turning radius is about the same as the car length. The seats are comfortable even on long drives and road noise is minimal at high speeds.

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  Fun & Fast Plus You Save Gas - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By Leeroy Jenkins - October 28 - 8:53 pm

  I drive 65 miles round trip to work and home. The Mini S is getting 34MPG and that is a combo of city traffic and HWY!!! It really wants to go and I mean fast! Its the best car that I have ever owned.

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  Wow. Id buy it again. - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By jt - October 24 - 11:50 am

  German engineering + classy design. My Cooper S is 600 lbs. heavier than my previous 4 door cars (Jetta, Saturn, Accord) but handles like a fighter jet. The power brings out my lead foot, which hurts gas mileage, but I squeeze 350 miles out of each tank of 93 octane (mostly highway driving on my Manhattan to Warrenvile NJ commute). I considered Hybrids, but their fuel economy evaporates on highway driving. Minis handling and standard features make me feel safer (ABS, traction control, 6x airbags, and a really solid, heavy body.) Street parking in NYC is a dream. I paid $30,000 with all options and have no buyers regret. Consider getting insurance on your tires / rims: run-flats are $250 each. In NYC you will get a flat. I already had one and the insurance has paid for itself.