2002 MINI Cooper Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
The 2002 MINI Cooper was the right car for the right time. Appearing shortly before the current gas crisis made small cars cool again, the...
The 2002 MINI Cooper was the right car for the right time. Appearing shortly before the current gas crisis made small cars cool again, the new MINI was surrounded by the same mystique that made Volkswagen's New Beetle so popular. The MINI was a small, peppy, good-looking car in an era of ever-larger SUVs, with a distinctive personality that appealed to drivers on the lookout for something completely different.
A rebirth of a small, fuel-efficient, innovative car that first appeared in the late 1950s in Great Britain, the 2002 MINI retained the same basic looks of its iconic ancestor, with a boxy cabin and the wheels pushed all the way out to the sides to create more interior room, although the new MINI was larger and more powerful than its predecessor. Design elements, such as the taillights, fender, and roofline, all mimic similar elements in the 1960s-era Minis, while interior components such as the center console, instrument panel, switches, and air vents all draw inspiration from the classic Minis.
The 2002 MINI Cooper was a front-wheel-drive, two-door hatchback available in both Base and S trim packages. Power for both was provided by a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine. Horsepower for the Base model was rated at 115, while the supercharged engine in the S version pumped that up to 163 horsepower. The Base version received a five-speed manual transmission, while the S version upped that a notch with a six-speed manual. A continuously variable automatic transmission (also known as a CVT) was optional in the Base model.
The MINI Cooper was well-equipped with such standard features as air conditioning, power windows, power door locks, dual front and side airbags, a CD player, remote keyless entry, and anti-lock brakes. The S version received larger 16-inch tires (as opposed to 15-inch tires in the Base model), as well as a hood scoop and a sport suspension. A sunroof, leather seats, navigation system, and traction control were among the options.
The MINI Cooper's BMW heritage appealed to many drivers, who felt they were getting a BMW-quality car at a cost that was considerably lower than that of a standard BMW model. Some drivers were put off by the MINI's small size, but most drivers found the vehicle to be fun to drive, nimble, reliable, economical, and comfortable, as well as a head-turner on the road.
What owners say
"Overall, owners of the 2002 MINI Cooper enjoy its fun driving experience and agile handling. They appreciate the car's distinctive style and performance, particularly its nippy acceleration and solid feel on the road. However, some drivers mention issues with maintenance costs and occasional reliability concerns. Overall, it's seen as a charming but sometimes costly car to own."
Super cool, sporty hatch. Perfect blend of retro and sporty styling. Convenient power mirrors, power sunroof and power windows. Great visibility. Not much for the Infotainment system but it's an older car. Nice radio, speakers, CD player. The handling/ride quality are great.
May 27, 2025It is the equivalent to an adult gokart, slotcar and motorized roller skate. Every time I drive it, it just makes me happy. Saying that about a 115 HP car after owning a Lightning, Several Mustangs and various other 300+ HP vehicles should tell you something about the MINI. It's just an amazing little car.
August 7, 2008Bought in 2002. Nice handling car but very slow. Had the sport package, everything from the 'S' except the engine....
December 27, 2007What owners say
Super cool, sporty hatch. Perfect blend of retro and sporty styling. Convenient power mirrors, power sunroof and power windows. Great visibility. Not much for the Infotainment system but it's an older car. Nice radio, speakers, CD player. The handling/ride quality are great.
May 27, 2025It is the equivalent to an adult gokart, slotcar and motorized roller skate. Every time I drive it, it just makes me happy. Saying that about a 115 HP car after owning a Lightning, Several Mustangs and various other 300+ HP vehicles should tell you something about the MINI. It's just an amazing little car.
August 7, 2008Bought in 2002. Nice handling car but very slow. Had the sport package, everything from the 'S' except the engine....
December 27, 2007BEST CAR EVER! Its a mini cooper. Nippy and reliable. Solid car, good mileage. Leather seats, full electrics, panoramic sun roof. No squeaks, tiny rattle. And SO MUCH FUN to drive!! Just take it out for a spin occasionally for a drive.
November 19, 2011I love my Cooper S. Grew up in Oxford (where they're made), had 2 of the original mini's (1100 and a 1275 GT). Why wouldn't I have one?!?!?!? Taken it down to the Dragons Tail a couple of times now. Fun, fun, fun. Definitely the best car I've ever owned.
September 3, 2008There is nothing I can say bad about it....or maybe if you have to travel for LONG periods of time, say like 7 hours straight. The short wheel base and the thin tires make it a bit chalenging on long routes. But then again, it's not made for that. PURE FUN AND JOY!
March 3, 2008the mini is a good fun car which is enjoyable to drive, looks good, handles well and puts a smile on your face allthough it can be a bit expensive to run but overall its a good all round package
October 30, 2010Superb handling but the ride is a bit hard!
March 22, 2008Quick but could be quicker, brakes are adequate but could be sharper Build quality A1 I love the exterior and interior styling which is retro but modern in a way that really works unlike the newer Mini Had TLC so service costs were nil,struggled to average 30 mpg Fun factor 9/10
January 9, 2011I like the overall sports car feel, even the owner's manual says the driver's seat is, "the cockpit." -VERY true I have to say, its bucket seats and easily accessible controls and easy to see monitors make this car feel like it's folding around you. When that supercharger kicks in you sit deeply in the seats. My only complaint thus far is the issue (seems to be common with 2005 models and earlier) with the BCM and water getting into the module. This can lead to costly repairs if not complete module failures. I've experienced a couple issues with water leakage, but honestly those issue(s) paled in comparison to all the things that I truly enjoy about it.
March 7, 2014Trims & specs
Base MSRP $23,100 | Seating 4 |
Engine 1.6L 181 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 5.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 31 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $19,500 | Seating 4 |
Engine 1.6L 121 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity 5.3 cu ft |
Combined MPG 33 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $28,800 | Seating 4 |
Engine 1.6L 208 hp I4 | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG 29 | Drivetrain FWD |
