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 - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By aw - March 25 - 12:53 pm

  This car is a must have. Driving with this car is so much fun, especially with the top down. It feels and drives like a sports car. Driving over backroads let you think whether you ever want to stop driving, or as I said to my wife, Once Mini ... Mini forever. Everything in this car is made for fun. And for a convertible of its size, you can still transport 4 people or load the back of the car easily because the seats fold flat.

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  A Dream Come True - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By sonofdoug2 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Never has a car grabbed my attention the way the new MINI did when it came on the market. At first, the idea of owning one was more of a dream than a real possibility. After I graduated from college, I moved home and paid off my loans. Since I was living at home, I was able to save up quite a bit for a down payment. Now my dream car is a reality, and I love it more and more every day.

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  Remember When - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By cutter 4 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This car put the fun back in driving, even heavy traffic. No more just going from place to place, the fun is back and your smiling. You look for a reason to drive. Only had the car 3 months, and not one single problem. The car is tight and fun. Im 62" and no problems. You might miss making a big haul but most of your time is spent driving alone so why not enjoy it!

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  Its a blast. - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By BimrJim - March 2 - 10:00 am

  Its a blast. I had it on order since December, Picked up last of July. Paid MSRP with no dealer installed options required. Car is tight, no rattles. Everything works. Only thing available (at the time of purchase) it does not have is seat warmers. They forgot--- Handles like a go-cart with windows. Excellent fit and finish.

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  Love my MINI! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Mini Girl - February 27 - 8:46 am

  I love my Mini! This is the best car I have ever had. I cant complain. The gas milage is awesome, I can park it anywhere I want, and for a little thing the power is unreal! The stereo system is awesome too. I recomend anyone to get a Mini. Oh yeah one more thing, this little car gets a lot of attention!

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  Nothing "Mini" About It! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By cjkinpa - February 26 - 10:00 am

  What a great car! I drove an RX7 for the past 15 years and it was hard to give up, but with 2 little boys, I needed a back seat. I still wanted something fun and sporty though. The Cooper certainly fits the bill. Lots of power, even for the non-S version. A "big car" ride for such a little shrimp. And typical superior Beemer quality throughout. The Sport and Premium packages (leather, on board computer, sunroof, cd player etc.) make it feel even more like a luxury car. But the best part is the feel of this little guy gripping the road. It is an absolute joy to drive. Be prepared to stop and answer lots of questions about it.

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  Mini - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By MiniMan - February 26 - 10:00 am

  I love the car it is so fun to drive

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  Me and My BLUMEENI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By BLUMEENI - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I have NEVER had so much fun in a car in my life!!!!! Now all I need to do is figure out how I can possibly blend in with the crowd.....but who would want to????

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  Fan For Life! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By CooperLove - February 24 - 2:00 am

  The Cooper is unlike anything on the road in terms of exterior styling, which I like. That aside, its really a lot of fun to drive/own. I cant recall any other car--besides maybe my first car as a teen--that has provided so much joy.

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  kool - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Micahel woolley - February 13 - 10:00 am

  its a wonderful wonderful car