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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  My 2nd MINI - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By B Walker - February 6 - 5:16 am

  My 2006 Hyper Blue / black top Mini Cooper S has the premium package, sport package w/webspokes, cold weather package, ltd slip, anthracite headliner, and leather seats w/blue inserts. This car is better than my 04 Cooper in every way. The body is tighter with no squeaks or rattles. The ride is actually better with the 17 inch wheels than my 04 was with the 16s. The webspokes are gorgeous. The small upgrade in power and change in gearing makes the car feel as quick as the 04 was with the TMS pulley package. I will upgrade the 06 as well when the pulley package is available. I looked at the Subaru WRX STI (incredibly low and super harsh ride) and the new Volkswagen GTI (pretty cool but it aint no MINI!). I love this car.

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  Mini Mania - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By conmike92 - February 5 - 9:46 am

  Its a great car...you do not need the S engine for extra power. The standard engine is great. CUTE, CUTE, CUTE (and fun!) car!!

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  Apple of My Eye - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By Apple - February 4 - 7:50 pm

  The MPG is amazing, I was coming from a 2003 MC, and I have been getting 40.1 MPG with the AC on. It does handle like a gocart, and is very stable at 95+ MPH. Love the look and for me the Navi is a must. You cant beat the price or features. Oh did I mention MPG!

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  So much fun to drive but... - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Gie - February 4 - 1:56 pm

  Bought in June brand new, third car only driven occassionally. Loved the car, so much fun to drive though handling is a bit rough. Yesterday, at 1171 miles, it began jumping. I am no car expert and the best way to describe the problem is like when driving a stick and you dont change gears properly. Needless to say it will be going back to dealer as soon as we can get it there.

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  Falling in love again - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By Roy Henry - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I have fallen in love twice in my life, once to the woman i was married to for twenty years and secondly with the most obscure yet priceless automobile. As her head lights met my eyes as i walked aross the parking lot at first glance i tried to remain a aloof but apon being introducd to her by one of the best mini cooper sales experts in Hawaii, Randy Acuba, she took my heart my breath and my money right away. I feel it so much in her debt because i give her nothing and she gives me everything performance, comfort, and i desire to run off with her on a moments whim, and motor all my cares away.

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  Best car for the money - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By ExoticCars - January 25 - 2:00 pm

  In addition to my Mini I own a Porche Cayman, BMW M3, and a Lexus RX 330... I have to admit that I have more fun on cornering with my Mini than I do with my Cayman. My Mini is amazing... off the line the Mini is quick. The Mini is also a car with limited production. (If you live in LA you will probably see lots of Minis, this is because 30% of all Minis around the world are sold in LA). I wish I bought my Mini before the M3.

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  I love my MINI! - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By h stewart - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I love my MINI! Its fun to drive, very "friendly" inside and out (people constantly stop to ask about it) and its easy to park! I love the interior the dash is fab!; the seats are very comfortable, the a/c works great and rides like a big car - you never feel timid around the behemouths plus it handles great! It gets great mileage and is earth friendly. A guilt- free pleasure to own and I dont feel responsible for war in Iraq.

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  Amazing car - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By gotvanilla - January 23 - 5:16 pm

  Ive had my MINI for 3 years now. Its so awesome to drive I actually prefer my longer commute! I count myself lucky to be able to spend at least 2 hours a day in it. Its stylish and indescribably fun to drive. In my three years, Ive never had a single problem with it. Its like a fairy tale!

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2004 Mini Cooper
  By laggy - January 20 - 11:13 am

  This is simply the best car i have ever owned. I have driven and owned several other cars some of even greater sticker value, but this is just simply the most fun you could ever have in a car. There is just nothing that can beat the driveableity, sportiness and overall fun this car delivers. Not only that, it is easy to keep on the road because you dont constantly get gouged by expensive trips to the gas station because the fuel econmy is so great. On the highway I can average 40+ mpg at 70+ mph

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  Extra fun to drive, marvelous ..... - 2009 Mini Cooper
  By Dan - January 19 - 8:50 pm

  The editor is wrong, I drive my Mini aggressively and no matter what I do, in the city my gas mileage is 30gpm no other cat in this price range come even close to fun to drive and performances of Mini, Thank you BMW!!!!!