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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  Perfect 2nd Vehicle - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By mshcgh - November 30 - 2:00 am

  We have a Tahoe and this is perfect for us to get around town. Our kids still fit and dont mind riding around in the back. It is a blast to drive and the looks that we get around town are priceless. It has a surprisingly large feel when driving. Still when you get out you think "Man what a small car". We love it.

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  It doesnt get better than this - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By smask - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Gotta have one. Best car Ive ever driven. And Ive driven some cars.

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  I Love My New Mini - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Anabela - November 20 - 12:16 pm

  I just purchased my first Mini after wanting one for the last three years. It is so much fun to drive and is truly the kind of car I dont mind making payments on every month. It handles very well, has great personality and fits into any parking spot out there.

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  What a blast from the past! - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By KismetGB - November 19 - 10:00 am

  So far, I absolutely love this car. I was expecting to have fun in it but it has easily exceeded my expectations. The handling is simply awesome and convidence inspiring. The sales literature says it handles like a go- kart and it really does.

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  What a blast ! - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By brett - November 17 - 12:40 pm

  As everyone else says, this car is extremely fun to drive. The "go kart" term gets used a lot but its absolutely true. I traded in a Mercedes E350 that was nothing but trouble and have not regretted it once. The MINI is everything I hoped for and more. You just cant help but have a fun driving experience when you are in this car.

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  Unfortunately, I am on a 1st name basis with the members of the Maintenance Dept. - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By cicirenne - November 8 - 3:46 am

  I love to drive it but its in the shop all the time. I purchased my 2007 MINI COOPER S new in Dec 2007. the car has just passed the warranty period & yet another problem occurred that is not covered under warranty. I cannot continue to I make monthly payments & pay for repairs too so have decided to search for a new car and trade this one in. Since I purchased it the drivers side door locking mechanism fell apart, the tensioner has been replaced 2 times, the timing chain replaced, the water pump replaced, the air intake hose & clamps replaced , & the air conditioner fan motor replaced. It eats oil - I have to put 1 qrt of synthetic oil in it every 2500 miles.

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  How Do You Spell Dog? Mini! - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By Ace - November 5 - 5:56 am

  Yeah, its cute. But a movie doesnt make it fast. The Mini is: 1. dog slow, 2. has a rear blind spot 3. the top doesnt tuck away, 4. it has no cover for the top, 5. no rear seat lighting, 6. no power seats, 7. you sit low so it is hard to see out of, 8. it has no satellite radio, 9. the stereo stinks, 10. I hate the retro guages, give us state-of-the art. 11. and include a built-in iPod jack.

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  It is still a "British Car" - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By WhizBang - November 2 - 6:23 am

  I bought a "luxury" Mini for my wife; Gold, CVT, every option except navigation. Even with the CVT this car is fun to drive but we have had four trips to the dealer for unschedualed maintenance. Things like the horn quit, the window lifts squeeked -loud, dashboard was replaced, plastic seatback cover replaced, Tire pressure sensors replaced, radio replaced, sunroof leak fixed, and more. BMW may own the company, and may have designed the car but.....It is a "BRITISH CAR" through and through.

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  OSU MINI - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By casey mccormack - October 27 - 10:00 am

  FUN FUN FUN I love my MINI Cooper S. Girls Love it too. The Miles per gallon is high, but not as high as the smiles per miles you get

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  2004 Mini CVT - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By J R Verellen - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Current mileage is 2000; no problems to date. It has a small car ride, however handling is excellent. This vehicle has an automatic trans, CVT, to be specific.The CVT takes some getting used to if you are familiar with the usual auotmatic trans found on most cars. I have found no problem merging on expressways, or in keeping up with traffic. Gas mileage is improving with use; I am currently averaging 30 mpg on my daily commute. 30% city, 70% highway.