4 2002 - 2006/2008 Mini Cooper | Big Fun in a Tiny, Low-Cost Package
By Preston Lerner
The current version of the new Mini is bigger, faster, more refined, and better engineered than its predecessor. But it was the original car, introduced in the States in 2002, that inspired a grassroots eruption of Mini mania, and its smiley-face charisma and go-kart performance promise to make it an enduring cult hero. "It will be a classic," says Gabriel Bridger, founder of MotoringFile.com, one of the country's most authoritative Mini Web sites. "It brought sportiness and efficiency to the masses, and it's authentic in a way that modern cars aren't. It will be one of the last mass-produced cars to have a vintage-car feel."
Much of the Mini's charm derives from its unique gestation, as a team of ex-Rover Brits collaborated with engineers at their new corporate parent, BMW. But the car was a marketing phenomenon as much as it was a creative triumph, and part of its genius was that it lent itself so well to customer personalization. Of course, this is a double-edged sword in the used-car market. Buyers should also beware of the fact that Mini, notwithstanding its historic name, was a brand-new marque, and some teething pains were inevitable.
First-generation Minis, spanning the 2002 to 2006 model years, come in three flavors. The normally aspirated Mini Cooper is the base model. The Mini Cooper S - the default enthusiast choice - offers a supercharged drivetrain and a sportier suspension. In 2005, a convertible was introduced, and it carried on even after the second-gen Mini debuted in 2007. The most noteworthy performance option package, found overwhelmingly on S models, was the John Cooper Works kit. And in 2006, confirmed Miniacs could opt for the ultra-limited-edition JCW GP, which is the most collectible Mini on the market.
Minis have held their value remarkably well. If you're looking to maximize bang for the buck, Danny Darwichian, who runs the Minicorsa tuner shop in North Hollywood, California, recommends the 2005 and 2006 Cooper S. Besides benefiting from a stem-to-stern, mid-cycle refresh, these cars also feature an improved supercharger that boosted power to 168 hp as well as a closer-ratio gearbox. Throw in some aftermarket goodies, like a smaller supercharger drive pulley, and you've got a giant-killer for far less than $20,000.
Only time will tell if the Mini becomes a classic. But right here, right now, it's one screaming used-car value.
Price Then $20,449 (2005 Cooper S)
Price Now $14,000
> Awards
All-Star ('04, '06)
> Watch out for
CVT transmissions are suspect. So are the five-speed manuals in early non-S Coopers. The 2002 model, in particular, is best avoided. Strut towers tend to mushroom and coolant tanks can leak, but both are easily fixed.
> Fun fact
The GP model comes with a carbon-fiber rear wing but no back seats.
> Web sites
motoringfile.com, northamericanmotoring.com
> Certified Pre-Owned
2-yr/50,000-mile warranty added to what's left of the original 4-yr/50,000-mile warranty, if anything
> Specs
- 1.6L I-4, 115 hp, 111 lb-ft; 1.6L supercharged I-4, 163/168 hp, 155/162 lb-ft
- 5- or 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic, CVT
- Front-wheel drive ...next page >>