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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  BEst car, fun to drive - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By mininut - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had no problems with the car since I purchased it. I have all options exluding the GPS, this would change the interior layout

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  Mini rules - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By stangvert - December 1 - 10:00 am

  this car is just the funnest thing to drive. its sporty,attractive, and everybody gives me thumbs up!! in traffic. Best car i have ever purchased.

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  Luv My Mini :-)) - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By minicoop08 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had nothing but great experiences so far with my mini. Everywhere I go people are stopping and asking me about it.It is really a unique car.BMW and Mini put a lot of time and thought into the remaking of this car.Every control you need is right at your finger tips without having to look for anything once you know where they are.

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  Just What I had Expected - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By hd516 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Generally, I selected the MINI beacuse it looks great and was a lot of fun to drive when I took it for a test. Overall, I have been pretty happy with it. It handles very well (actually better than any other car that I have ever driven). It is pretty fast too, but not off of the line. You need to get the engine revving a bit before you feel any substantial power. Once it gets going, it is really a nice package to drive. I have been really pleased with the car so far. Be prepared to have a lot of people ask you questions in parking lots and at stop lights. This car attracts a lot of attention.

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  Luxury without cost. - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By thaiboxerken - December 1 - 10:00 am

  If you want to ride in a super sports car, without paying super prices, the MINI is the way to go. This car is a performance monster and affordable. With 37mpg, the cost to drive is cheap. This is a definite break from the SUV hodgepodge.

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  good car - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By julio verjano - December 1 - 10:00 am

  i think that this one of the very best cars that BMW has ever came out with

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  Mini - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By KPD - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Mini Cooper S is one the best cars around and I hope it stays around for a while.

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  LOVE the MINI - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By akogburn - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive! It is so solid and tight---built like a BMW!

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  GP - From 0019 in the US - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By AprilWhine - November 30 - 1:40 pm

  This is my fourth MINI, not bad on a car only that has only been available in the US since 2002! Ive loved them all, but the GP is really something special. From the sound of the supercharger winding up to the road hugging dynamics, its the most fun to drive car Ive ever owned.

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  Wont drive anything else! - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By brentski - November 26 - 10:56 pm

  I dont think I will ever drive any other cars but MINIS ever again! Reliable, stylish, safe, and fun to drive! What more can you ask for! Even though its small, its a people-mover; everyone wants to ride in the MINI! Always carrying 4!