Happy Fourth Birthday MINI USA

Sections: MF Feature Mar 22nd, 2006 21 Comments

Four years ago on March 22nd 2002 the first MINI dealers in the US opened their doors. I vividly remember showing up at Knauz MINI that morning in an effort to get to know the Cooper and Cooper S demos they had just received. Naturally both my wife and I would totally floored by how both felt and we immediately put the wheels in motion for our initial MINI purchase. Here’s my first review of the test drives as posted on March 22nd 2002 on the web:

First off I was surprised at how capable and flat out fun the base Cooper is. ItÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s almost fun enough to forget about the S entirely. Especially considering I could probably get one next week. With the S IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll be waiting until June (as I unfortunately found out today). The CooperÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s main weakness in my mind is the 45-70 acceleration. You must be ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œinvolvedÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â with the transmission to get to 70 quickly. But thatÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s part of the fun as well. The Cooper I drove had the 16s and was definitely more harsh that my BMW 325ci with 17s. But keep in mind it wasnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t rough. It also didnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t have the sport seats causing me to have to literally hang onto the wheel while cornering. It would seem the sport seats are a must have option for all those who drive in a ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œspiritedÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â fashion and plan on buying a Cooper.

The S was quite a nice package. However it didnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…â€œfeelÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â as quick as I had expected off the line. Because of the smoothness of the power it felt a bit laid back where I would have expected otherwise. The immediacy steering in both cars put my 325ci to shame however. When I got back into it after both drives it felt too isolated and numb in comparison. Overall I was really surprised at the lack of difference between the MC and the MCS in everything but 30-60 mph acceleration.

Another thing that hits you when you see the MINI for the first time on the road is itÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s presence. ItÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s such a strange thing for such a small car to have so much presence.

Again I have to stress there was a lot less difference between the Cooper and the S than I had imagined. I think some people will happily go for the Cooper (despite the HP disparity) after they drive it. My wife certainly wants me to (she wants something asap). Still not sure though as IÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ve been wanting the MCS for awhile and the price difference isnÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t really an issue. That being said the difference between the two is a lot less than the 50hp would suggest and the Cooper is much more compelling after the test drives considering the timetable of when we could get one.

It’s interesting to read this again after owning a 2005 MCS with the revised gearing for almost nine months. Where the 2002 MCS felt laid back on 0-60 runs, the current MINI feels very rapid and always eager. In fact, if I had driven the 2005 that day I’m sure I would have come away with a different opinion and probably held out a few months for an MCS. But as it stands I had three fantastic years and 45,000 in my 2002 MC and certainly have no regrets.

Written By: Gabe

mike

i put my deposit down on my 02 4 years ago today as well. my experience was a little different though… before driving the cooper, i wasn’t really a ‘driver.’ i drove it for the first time and WHAM, BAM! i never LOVED a car before. that’s all changed and i eagerly await the oppotunity to purchase an MCS especially after test driving an 05 and an 06. MINI really sorted it out. it’s looking like i may have to wait until 07 but i’m pushing 41k miles on my 02 cooper and am loving and have loved every minute of it.

i don’t imagine i’ll ever NOT own a MINI. here’s to 4 great years! cheers!

mike
http://www.gbmini.net Ian C.

Very interesting to see these “original review” words – I didn’t even know the new MINI existed till the end of May 2002! Do you have this write-up online anywhere – or more to the point, other write-ups from that era?
Mark (Ohio)

Happy Birthday! May we all enjoy many more! :)
http://www.squirty.com/minis Kurt Collins

man hard to believe it’s been SIX years since I heard about the MINI Cooper coming to the US! I’m still in love with the car and the passion behind it! :-)
Jon

It was late September 2001 when I placed my deposit with MINI of Sterling (which was still under contruction at that time!) I remember feeling a little guilty doing this so shortly after 9/11. I was out of town on the 22nd of March 2002 but called the dealer and arranged for a test drive on the following Monday. I drove both the MC and MCS and while impressed with both I immediately knew I wanted the S. Although no. 9 on the wait list I held on to place my order until May as I wanted to custom order just the way I wanted it rather than take an early pre-spec. I went once a week for a test drive – to the point that I would show up and the MA’s would just hand me a set of keys ;) Still happy with my trouble free DS/BL MCS.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

It was late September 2001 when I placed my deposit with MINI of Sterling

Interestingly some dealers were taking deposits and had waiting lists, and then others just had “interest lists”. And then there were those dealers who’s paint wasn’t even quite dry on the 22nd!
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com Dave

I had a deposit down back in late 2000, and I still wouldn’t have seen a car from that dealership until the 2003 MY. Needless to say I found another dealership and purchased one of the very first Dark Silver Pre-spec MCS in June 2002.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Needless to say I found another dealership and purchased one of the very first Dark Silver Pre-spec MCS in June 2002.

Which is (ironically) in today’s header image ;-)
GSKChicago

Wonder if years from now, if someone has one of the very first MC’s or MCS’s that hit US land, if it will add value to the car? Anyone who keeps up on values of cars – beyond the already great resale value of our MINI’s – have any idea?
Damon

I had not heard about the MINI until Jan 2002. Once I looked at the site I loved them. I went to the San Francisco dealer in early March and they said they had list with 2000 names and were only getting 300 cars a year. I figured it was hopeless. On March 22 I called the dealer in Concorde and they said they would open the doors at noon. It was pouring rain and I went to have a look. They had three silver Coopers. I fell in love as soon as I saw them. After poking around I asked how long the wai list is. They said they were selling first-come first-serve and they had 10 cars available to be delivered in the next week or so. All I had to do was get in line. I was #5 and got a BR Green with tan leather. After I gave them a deposit they let me drive one of the demo cars. I would have bought one based on looks alone but after driving it it was a done deal.

For the next six months I was bombarded with questions everywhere I parked. I’d wait for the people looking in the windows to move along to get in the car. it was fun being a celebrity of sorts.

We have two MCS now so that is three MINIs for us. I still get a little excited when I see another MINI on the road, sort of like the way our dog get excited everytime she sees another dog!
LTZMTOR

On my ’02 PS/BLK MCS I would come back to the car and find face smears all over the glass. I can still remember seeing my 1st one at my local dealer and right at that moment I decided the 4Runner had to go and it did.

On my ’04 CR/BLK MCS it hasn’t been that crazy but when I go to remote places I’m still astonished when People ask…”What the hell is that?!”

My dealer called today and said I might have my car back by Saturday if all goes well with the new engine. It will be 3 weeks this Friday without it. It’s been a VERY LONG 3 weeks.

Thanks to Gabe for all the fun over the last 3 years.
Brian

Wow what a great memory of March 29th 2002 when my wife and I steped into the Mini showroom on a rainy Saturday. We had just had a frustrating experience with another dealer down the street when trying to negotiate a deal on different vehicle. I had convinced the wife to stop by and see the new MINI’S and we fell instantly in LOVE! We ordered ours on April 1st and really loved our little yellow monster! Alas we traded it in on a Scion XB but I am impatiently waiting for the new engine in a cabriolet with a JCW package. I may have to wait until 2008 for that but I feel a $50,000 mini in in my future!!
bluzeke

WOW – four years! I remember leaving work early, it was a Friday. “You’re leaving to go see a mini what?” I think the asphalt on the lot was so fresh it was still sort of sticky. The dealer here in Baltimore had a decent and representative inventory, the MA’s seemed hip, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, being fresh out of the MINI Academy (wherever that was), and the place was crawling with devotees like me who’d been waiting a long time to feast our eyes on this new dream machine. The demo cars were coming and going constantly with a fresh batch of testers who’d return with broad, goofy smiles. Friends I’d called would arrive and we’d “review” the car all over again – generally arguing over what was wrong with the interior. The front seat backs were already acting up and giving people fits. But even then, there was a set of folks who overlooked any negatives because their minds had been made up months before. We all stayed till we were chased away at closing,whereupon we adjourned to a nearby bar to pore over that first edition MINI booklet. I think I returned for the next three days to get my fix and set in motion the journey (tortured financial machinations all of my own making) to my new ’06 MINI just last month. I think I’ve been on the “waiting list” since that spring day four years ago, but boy, the wait has sure been worth it!

A special THANKS to you Gabe for giving all of us “without” a way to stay “within”! I think I’ll crack a bottle of champagne tonight and dig out my old opening night photos and remember what it was like when I didn’t have this fantastic little buzzbomb.
Vanwall
My first impressions have been kindly posted here B4 by Gabe & Matt, and as I pass the 80,000 mile mark this weekend at AMVIV with a coupla hundred other MINIacs, it is quite the nostalgic head trip to go back to those halcyon days of yore. Oops, that was just yesterday, wasn’t it? Time flies when you’re havin’ fun!
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                BCNU,
              Rob in Dago
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Mark Smith

Happy Birthday MINI and Happy Birthday MINI of Fairfield County. My Home and I’m proud to be able to say I sell one of the best cars on the globe! Congratulations to all who have the priviledge to Motor or have had a priviledge to motor in a MINI for whatever reason! Motor on!
Bilbo Baggins

Happy Birthday to one and all.

WOW, four years already. I started to follow the new MINI in 2000 when the rumor mill was churning out all sorts of things. As I followed along and watched the progress I knew that a MINI was in my future. The saturday that MINI of Fairfield County opened I was there with a deposit. No test drives available. I was put on the waiting list, my number was 360.

I figured that I might be seeing mine built in Dec or Jan. But, luck was with me. Since mine was DS/W and some colors were not available I was moved up on the list and recieved mine the first week of Oct.

It was well worth the wait. As some others have said this was the first car that I ever fell in love with. I became one of the crazed MINI fanatics. I ended up selling my old ’71 R-60/5 BMW motorcyle because it was just sitting in the garage collecting dust and rust. Anyplace that I would have taken the bike for a fun ride was equally as much fun in my MINI. Even better, I did not have to wear leather and a helmet when it was 80F outside.

After 3 glorious years I was enticed to trade up to a new MINI with the addition of the newly offered LSD. Then began the difficult part of spec’ing a new MCS. Oh, the sleepless nights, the agonizing days of trying to figure out just what I wanted. Time stretched on and my hopes for an ’05 faded into a, last of the current style, ’06 MCS.

The worries and wondering are all worthwhile. I love my SB/S MCS every bit as much as my ’02. The improved suspension, the altered gearing, the added Hp, most of the many small changes. It still puts a smile on my face every time I see, much less when I drive it.

This is a seriously addicting little car.

Again, Happy Birthday to one and all. And may there be many more to come.
http://minicooperclub.activeboard.com Rocketboy

I put down my deposit June 20th, 2002. I remember, because it was my birthday. And the night before, my wife asked me if I wanted to get up early to go out for breakfast (we both worked nights). Not being a huge breakfast person, I declined. To which she asked if I didn’t want to buy a MINI afterall (I test drove a MINI Cooper a month earlier, but that’s a different story alltogether). needless to say, we went out for breakfast that day.
Allison

asked a friend to join me one saturday in early april…just wanted to test drive it for fun and thought it would cheer me up (my dad had passed away that march)…needless to say, we were at the MINI dealership all morning while I put down my deposit and picked out options (i was also my motoring advisor’s very first customer ever)…it was the most spontanious thing i’d ever done and helped to lift my spirits and gave me something to look forward to during one of the hardest times of my life.

i live in center city philadelphia and also remember being one of the first in the city with a MINI…i used to get lots of stares and it would take a while to get into a store after parking…people were full of questions.

i sold my ’02 MC last year and now have an ’06 MCS…i love this car!
Frank

Four years…. How time (Or shall I say, Life) flies!

Happy Birthday MINIUSA!

I became interested in the MINI around May 2002 when I began shopping around for a new replacement car for my wife’s aging ’97 Mercury Tracer LS sedan. I immediately fell in love with the car when I saw it in person at South Motors MINI in Miami (The dealer is horrible but that is another story).

I knew about Minis and was midly familiar with the classics that I always liked. To me the new MINI was a revelation a car that we just had to have, even if it was a small 3 door hatchbacks (All our cars up to that point had been 4 door sedans).

The MINI totally and completely changed 360 degrees my perceptions about small, nimble, fun and tossable cars.

Finally we put our factory order in at Lauderdale MINI on June 30th, 2002 for a “bare bones” Pepper White/Black top Cooper CVT with only 2 options: The MFSW and the CVT transmission. Gave our fully refundable $500 deposit and then embarked in the longest but most exciting 8 weeks in recent memory. Finally, we took delivery on September 7th, 2002 and the car had just 10 miles on the odo. Today we still enjoy that Cooper CVT and its nearing the 36K mile mark and many, many, many roadtrip memories we have collected in it. Its been to 11 states, counteless times in Orlando, Disney World and Daytona Beach and not once it has letting us down to this day, almost 4 years after we took it home.

I have bought 2 other MINIs after the 2002 (For myself) a 2004 MCS which was sold over a year ago and my current ride, a 2005 6MT MCS with 10,500 miles which just turn 1 year old this week and has been rock solid, like a Rolex.

We already have put ourselves in the waiting list for the upcoming MINI Traveller wagon at our dealer. We are #3 in the list for the entire state of Florida!

Thanks MINI and MINIUSA for the most fun filled motoring miles in the past 4 years and look forward to many more years of safe MINI motoring.
GadgetGav

Ian, I’m shocked you were so late to the party and have still managed to own 3..! ;) I drove one in England in the summer of 2001 and had a deposit down as soon as BMW of Peabody would take it. Our Cooper was #6 delivered from MINI of Peabody (got the T shirt!). Did anyone in the Boston area hear the MoP radio ads this week saying that for the first time in 4 years they have stock and not all the cars that arrive are pre-sold..? Made me think their sales must be slipping..! :)

Gavin
http://www.zerotolerancecarclub.com livefrom718

Happy Birthday MINI! I order my MINI mid-july of ’03 and received delivery in September of ’03 totally customized MY way. I’ve loved it ever since!

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