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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  So much fun. - 2003 Mini Cooper
  By MINImorphosis - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my MINI for 8 months now. It has had two recalls, a few minor manufacturing defects, and an overheating problem that still hasnt been completely corrected but I can overlook these problems because it is just so much fun to drive. The dealer I purchased it from treats your like royalty and provides you with a complementary loaner car which takes the major hassels out of the service issues. All maintainance is covered for the first 3 years, 36,000 miles. Cant think of any car on the road that is so much fun to drive for the money. Happy motoring:).

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  Love the Look, Spotty Reliability - 2005 Mini Cooper
  By UnsureMini - July 3 - 11:43 am

  Ordered our MINI back 2004 to exact specs.. We paid MSRP but we got exactly what we wanted. The MINI was nearly perfect with Free oil changes and normal maintenance until 36K. The exception of around 29K, AC unit was replaced. Around 60K the engine mounts and bushings ($700) had to be replaced and then around 100K the oxygen sensor went out with some other parts around it. MINI refused to pay even though it was a known issue ($900 we paid) Later, Clutch 114K ($1700), 114k Cylinder #1 died on the freeway ($2700.) If you keep this car over 100K, find an independent shop, the cost is half. The dealers charges $300 for an oil change, some areas $400.

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  Annoyances Trump Fun - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By goldsbar - June 21 - 4:40 pm

  Ive owned several fun cars in my life and this one just doesnt measure up. The annoyances really got to me after a while. Not a lot of engine for the price. Run flats had horrible grip off the line. Tires chirped at the slightest provocation. Horrible gas mileage - low 20s - for the size of the car and power. Engine was annoying and very economy car like. Didnt give that "I want to go faster" feeling. Huge blindspot with the top up. Yes, it was fun to drive even at slow speeds which is important. Handling is very good but not great by any means. Better cars for the money out there!

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  This is a fun but wacky little car! - 2008 Mini Cooper
  By KarenZ - June 21 - 8:06 am

  Pros: handling fuel efficiency (my avg 30.4, I think) parking (mwah, ha ha!!!!!...that little space is mine all miiiiiine!) power/acceleration dash layout fit and finish reliability ipod-friendly ($12.00 male-male cord. Plugs right in...totally easy!) Cons: Very jerky acceleration Somewhat jerky braking The seat belt thing gets caught in the space where the door jamb is.Ive tweaked my back/shoulder muscles a few times. Hate that! Awful cupholders. If you can get a soda cup out without crushing it, you are amazing and you should become a surgeon. Trunk locks when doors are locked. Even if youve already "popped" it. Annoying! Wind wiper controls stink. And only two intermittent speeds.

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  Comfort Problem - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By Very Diffrent - June 19 - 2:03 am

  The car runs like a charm, design is unlike any other. Pick up is great on sport mode. Not quick without sportmode on, sometimes its annoying trying to pass others in traffic. My problem with the car is the arm rest. first of all its a option and even with it inside its low and very un omfortable. Maybe its because I didnt get leather seats? Other than that car is solid. One small thing I started hearing some noise on the driver side back tire like as if something was stuck to the tire but there wasnt anything there. I got get it checked

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  Great Car! But.... - 2006 Mini Cooper
  By JKPowers67 - May 19 - 4:23 am

  The Mini has been a great around town car, providing solid performance and a lot of fun. If my driving were still largely in town I would never get rid of it. However, I now commute 70 miles per day over rougher surface highways and the road noise is very significant. It makes it hard to talk on the phone, and in a quiet car (no music) its just annoying. Reliability has been good, but the minor things that have come up required a 2 hour drive to pick up the car. The whole experience has been great, but its time to move on. I pick up my Infinity G37 this afternoon. But Ill really miss my Mini.

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  Speedometer faulty - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By speed - May 1 - 10:36 pm

  I really enjoy driving this vehicle but there are some serious deficiencys that would prevent me from buying another Mini. The first is the road noise. Mini really needs to reduce the road noise, its so loud that at highway speeds its difficult to talk on my cell phone. Another significant problem is the speedometer, when I am going 75 mph the speedometer in the Mini reads 81 mph. I called Mini and they said that it is within design specs and they could not and would not fix the speedometer. This sloppiness in performance and the unwillingness of Mini to take care of the problem makes me wonder about Minis integrity. I dont think its too much to ask that the speedometer be accurate.

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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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  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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  Six years in, still love it - 2007 Mini Cooper
  By adra21 - April 14 - 3:24 pm

  I purchased this car brand new in the fall of 2007, and still really love it. It handles well, its fun to drive, its good-looking, and it does everything I need it to do. It fits into smaller parking spaces (a very nice perk in a city like Los Angeles). Overall great car and I cant recommend it enough. The thing to bear in mind about my feedback: my prior car was a 1988 Jeep Cherokee, so VERY different. And if youre thinking of transitioning from a bigger car to this car, be aware that youll use your horn a little more, because sometimes people just dont see the car when changing lanes.