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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  Great Fun - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By BPS - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive everyday. I have had no problems through the first 6000 miles. The only critigue I have is that the radio should play louder.

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  fun, delightful, positive, poetic, free - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By scottye b - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I never enjoyed driving before. But once I test drove this Mini I knew I had to have one. Since my purchase, about a year ago, I have no complaints. Its roomy, despite what one might think, it handles awsomely,it turns on a peseta, it brakes smoothly. Gosh, I could go on and on. The design is fantatstic.I get about 365-400 miles to the tank. I get crazy comments from all manner of people. The car matches my personality they say. The Mini staff is awsome, not pushy, just infomrative and friendly. And last but not least, I learned to drive it (a stick) on the day I drove it off of the lot. Thanks Mini. Scottye Battle

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  Love my MINI - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By bandit8it - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is FUN TO DRIVE! German handling, British style,and enough features to provide comfort and safety without breaking the bank (heated mirrors and seats, double sunroof, dual- stability control and ABS brakes), the MINI has everything I want in a car (fun, comfort, safety) and none of the things I dont want (gas guzzling, road hogging, ostentatiousness).

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  MINI - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By chanelle - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I find the Mini Cooper to be the best car ever! I love it so much. It is so comfortable and safe to drive.

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By NicDis - September 30 - 10:00 am

  The car is a lot of fun to drive and with it being small it takes no time to wash.

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  Favorite car ever - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Chars Dad - September 30 - 10:00 am

  Mini Cooper S is a blast to drive. Tight, tight turns. Great design features inside. It has major juice too. The city is almost too tight for this little powerhouse. I know we get more looks than the Porsches and expensive sports cars in Cleveland.

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  The greatest car Ive ever owned - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By nkasoff - September 28 - 3:16 am

  I absolutely love my MINI convertible. Ive owned all sorts of cars in the past, and nothing even comes close. I got a base model, the only option was the CVT. Its not a performance car by any means, but I didnt want that - if I did, Id have bought the S. I dont need the speed, or the tickets.

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  Damn fine car. - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By Phishman - September 27 - 10:00 am

  I love my MINI Cooper S! It looks faboulous, it corners better than any car I have ever driven, and quite frankly it is just a FUN car to drive! I dont think there are many cars on this planet that I would trade it for!

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  Must have one! - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By James - September 21 - 5:33 am

  This is the most fun car that I have ever owned.... thank you BMW! Please keep the upgrades coming. The service at the dealership has also been outstanding.

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  Youll love it - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Daniel Stehman - September 18 - 10:00 am

  Youll want to drive wherever your headed. Its so fun! Either the cooper or the S class. Everyone loves to point and stare. You turn into the center of attention, on the road and off.