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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  These Cars Have Problems! Be Careful... - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By candleman - September 5 - 2:13 pm

  Be sure to ask your local dealer just HOW MANY of these vehicles they have serviced for "carbon build up" problems. Problem starts usually just outside the 36K warranty, are anywhere from $500 - $1000 to fix, and will recur about every 40K miles or so. Evidently, if they are not driven "aggressively" (high RPMs), this is COMMON. Do the research, gang... [non-permissible content removed]

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  Great car, inside and out - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By kroth5 - September 2 - 2:06 pm

  I bought the car for its looks, but I am very pleased with its performance and interior. MINI is a great company and the service group in Orlando is wonderful. Also, they make owning the car fun, with a great merchandise catalog and some great giveaways like travel games, MINI playing cards, etc.

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  O3 MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By wme - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car, doesnt feel like a little car from the inside.

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  What a car - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Fledge - August 31 - 10:00 am

  I love this thing.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Kevin - August 30 - 8:26 pm

  Ive driven my MINI 3,200 miles so far. Although there are some bad reviews about the reliability of Minis, I havent experienced any problems with mine. I drove many cars including Porsche and Lotus before Mini, and I have to say Mini tops the chart in most fun to drive category. My appreciation for the cars design in and out grows every time I look at it. Finally, its resale value is amazing. I dont think there are people who buy a cars and sell them for higher prices than Mini owners, true story.

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  S! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By CooperS163hp - August 28 - 10:00 am

  If you buy a Mini only go for the S. Ive had one for about a year and a half and it is the most fun car you can ever own. people in m3s move over for me and then wave me through. Fast cars are great and all, and this car is FAST, but the handeling is supurb, I take exit ramps @65-70 mph. MINI COOPER S IS THE WAY TO GO

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  my hot mini - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Isaac Davis - August 28 - 10:00 am

  o think it is very hard to drive.

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  Ill never drive anything else - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By cooperguy - August 28 - 10:00 am

  After having my MINI Cooper for just over a year, I can honestly tell you that if someone offered to trade me ANY other vehicle on the road for my MINI, Id say NO! Not for a Lexus, not for a Hummer, not for a Porche, not even for a Ferrari. MINI isnt just the most fun you can have behind the wheel, it scores a 10 on the cool factor, gets great milage, is safe, and comes with an instant family. MINI owners get together, socialize, become friends, and run the roads together, having WAY more fun than they really ought to. MINI. Not just a car. A culture.

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  I love this car - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Tinabea193 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had my mini for a year now, and i love it just as much as the first day that i drove it off the showroom floor.

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  I Love My Mini! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Amandas Ride - August 28 - 10:00 am

  The Mini is a great car. I am so glad that I bought one. It is small, fun and great little get-around type of car. I love the speed of my S model.