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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  "S" engine is now a star - 2011 Mini Cooper
  By clutchplate - May 26 - 8:30 pm

  Its hard to believe the Mini Cooper S is only rated at 181 horsepower, it feels like more. After driving the standard Cooper hardtop the difference was night and day... if you cant afford the S, dont drive one. I also have a Lotus Elise & have been driving both up the same canyon road to observe the differences. The Lotus corners quicker/flatter, but the Cooper launches you out of a corner with more low end (turbo) thrust. Its power is in the midrange and it flings you forward from around 3,000 RPM. What a blast. It leans a bit while cornering but stays neutral when you hit the gas so you dont need to enter a turn super fast to maintain speed. Great fun, great car.

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  A Boomers Car - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By dogswood - May 23 - 1:06 am

  This is the car for baby boomers over 6 feet tall. At 65", I can stretch out and enjoy the top down 12 months of the year (seat warmers). Mandatory to spend extra $300-$400 for wind deflector to keep wind off your back. Comfortable for long trips but no room behind tall drivers. Really a 3 seat car. Also, minimal trunk although back seats fold down. Glad I got S version, motor is enough to leave all but the very serious roadster behind. No serious complaint. However, orange odometer and trip computer very difficult to read in daylight. A great handling and fun to drive "hot rod"!!!

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  Love after test drive - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By LoveMINI - May 19 - 3:16 pm

  I spent extensive time researching MINI models and years, contacting dealerships, and ended up finding the perfect MINI from a private seller down the street. I spend an extensive amount of time driving due to work and a long-distance relationship, and have never been disappointed. I am a careful driver and take good care of my car, but made the mistake of using summer performance tires throughout the Wisconsin winter...still handled fabulously! There really is nothing this little car cant do; I read through thousands of reviews before purchasing, and while the dealership inconvenience and fairly high prices for repair remain true, I have had little to no problems otherwise

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  Fun - 2002 Mini Cooper
  By Maleko - May 19 - 10:00 am

  To all the "I thought it was a $50,000 BMW": Do your crying somewhere else. Dollar for dollar the MINI COOPER S has to be the best value on the market. What other $20,000 dollar car has the technology this car has? What other $20,000 car has the handling this car has? NONE! This car is fun, fun, fun. If you cant figure it out and enjoy it for what it is... a fun car... then maybe you should go back to your ever boring BMW (Boring Mundane Wheels).

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  When I Press the Start Button! - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By TOMCAT - May 18 - 8:26 am

  Ah! I have finally found the car I so dreamed of. Namely a car (to borrow the words of another automobile ad) when I press the Start Button it presses my start button! I traded in a perfect 2007 Lexus RX 350 for the Mini. The Lexus was just too boring to drive. I wanted something with attitude! With a doubt my MINI Cooper S is it! The only cars I can remember that Ive owned that were this much fun and excitng to drive were my 1973 BMW 2002 Tii or my 1972 Capri (from Germany V- 6)! Yes its ride is a bit taut, but if youre looking for a smooth ride, but a Lexus or a Buick. Everyplace I go, people stop to look and ask or compliment me about it. In short, I love my MINI!

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  An Awesome Car - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By sunidhi - May 17 - 3:36 am

  The Mini Cooper is awesome! Driving this car is an excellent experience. I hope other people buy this car and enjoy it just as much as I did!

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  MI MINI - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By smoul - May 14 - 10:50 am

  My wife and I bought the car on impulse this past weekend, as Im sure many others have. We already have an SUV, so we decided to go with something unique that is fun to drive and offers good performance and style. Only had it several days, but i did drive to the store at 10pm "to buy batteries".

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  AMAZING - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Jeff - May 2 - 3:46 am

  My Mini cost me about $21,000 with tax, title, ect. and I would have paid $50,000. This car has more value and performance than most would belive possible for its price range. It is easily comprable to more expenisive veichles and without question more stylish. A++ RECOMENDED FOR ALL!~

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  My 2nd MINI and still the best to Drive - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Luis Rojas - April 30 - 11:40 pm

  I am on my 2nd MINI Cooper and I love it. I think this is one of the best yet the interior is better then my 05 and the power is great. I know when I need the speed I got it. I love cutting in and out of traffic in my small MINI. The price was high but what can I say price didnt matter to me it was worth the 38K.

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  Throw Me a Curve! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By b-diddy - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned, a hoot to drive and the ladies be loving it!