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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  Im get a 2nd! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Miniowner - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Ive got about 2,000 miles on mine now - I have nothing but praise. Hi-way driving for extended trips is not what this car is about - but boy the daily commute is fantastic! I sold my Mustang Cobra for this little guy - no regrets! Im now going back for an "S" - my wife equally excited. How great!

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  Love/Hate - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By D - April 24 - 5:23 am

  I love my MINI. I hate my MINI. After doing all the research for a MINI in 2003, I thought I was making a pretty wise decision in purchasing one. My car has been in the shop about every 6 months. Im on my third battery, 3rd set of tires, Ive replaced the headlights, the door locks and window motors, and now Ive replaced the clutch at 86500 miles to the tune of $2200. Plus my power steering is going out in stop-and-go traffic. But I love driving my car. There is nothing more fun than downshifting from 5th to 3rd to zip around trucks in traffic. It handles like a dream and is an overall fun ride.

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  A very happy motorer - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Rabbit - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I wish the size and body were back to the original, but being the American manufacture wouldnt let that happen even though let ford come out with the ford fiesta which was the same size at the time. Im to learning the body style of the new mini. The fun is still in the car American Manufacture cant take the away or make it happen in small car and keep a great price

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  Best New Car for the Money - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By jswords - April 21 - 2:00 am

  The Cooper is the best for the money. Although it isnt made for large families, the Cooper is perfect for singles or couples. The car has a great warranty and almost free maintance in the first 36,000 miles--- Even the large car companies cant match this.

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  Overall not bad - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By jmargolis - April 19 - 10:03 pm

  Generally, Ive been very happy with my Mini. Ive had one ABS sensor go bad and my power steering hose needed replacing for a leak. There are very occasional inexplicable computer problems, as well. Overall, performance and handling are very good, though the stock run-flats on a sport suspension and springs make for a rough ride. The interior is nice (I prefer the pre-2007 interior) but a little "plasticky"; would be nice if they offered JCW leather upgrade for more than just the dash and down tubes (e.g., the door panels).

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  I will keep my 325i thank you very much - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By beemermania - April 19 - 10:00 am

  What a flawed attempt by my friends in Bavaria. Underpowered. Unrefined. Poor build quality. I am just thrilled I did not sell my 325i when I picked this one up. Within a week there must have been a wiring error because the car simply died on the highway while I was going 70. The Mini dealership said this has happened to a couple others here in town. I will keep my 325i and sell this piece of work as soon as possible.

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  Best MINI Ever! - 2012 Mini Cooper
  By joe1952 - April 18 - 8:49 pm

  I owned a hard top but traded it in for a Convertible! The car is a blast to drive and the gas mileage I get make it even better.

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  Big Kids Go Cart - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Nextboat - April 16 - 11:50 am

  I used to own a 1967 MINI Coooper S. It was great fun, but unreliable, and in the shop constantly. The new MINI Cooper S is everything I could have wanted back then, and more. Handling, Safety, creature comforts, and feels better at 100 miles an hour than most cars. We use this car to move theings when we cant use our 5 series BMW, because we can fit more in with the seats folded down. This is a great car.

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  Mini Mania - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By dsmatl - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Mini used, only 11,000 miles, as a gas miser. Ive only had it a couple of months, but now I cant stand to drive any of our other vehicles. Its June in Atlanta and Im still driving without the A/C: its just so darn FUN! I still have one years worth of bumper-to-bumper manufacturers warranty (exc. tires). My windshield is cracked, but not unsafe; its been backordered for 6 weeks so far.

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  Great Mini - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By Greatcar - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive ever had!