2002 MINI Cooper Consumer Reviews

2002 Mini Cooper S

Written by: Lisa on 10/01/2007

Vehicle

2002 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

This car has been a real joy to drive. Not only does it handle exceptionally well in all weather conditions, it gets great mileage and has been very reliable. I replaced the run-flat tires with some wider softer tread tires, and that really made the car ride much more smoothly. I just carry a can of flat fixer in case I ever get a flat, which I have not in all the years I've owned it. I always tell people that the mini is not a luxury car, it drives like a sports car. The design is extremely utilitarian, which I like! I think everyone should own a Mini!

Favorite Features

Dashboard design, handling around curves, responsiveness... when I step on the gas she goes!

Suggested Improvements

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Best Car. . .Ever

Written by: Drew on 06/07/2007

Vehicle

2002 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

The MINI Cooper S is, without a doubt, one of the greatest autos ever delivered to the masses. It combines just about every ideal for a car, from safety to sporty, economy to performance, capacity to compactness (read "park it anywhere"). I've had mine for a year and have literally nothing but praise for it, and can't wait to drive it every time I've got to go somewhere. Now I'm just wondering when the honeymoon will end.

Favorite Features

Size for parking is #1. Gas mileage, grip and cornering, acceleration, huge sunroof, transmission.

Suggested Improvements

Seats are comfy, but could be a little better for longer rides. Engine/road noise is great for the sporty feel of the car, but can get tiresome if you spend the whole day driving. Stock stereo could use an upgrade (standard AUX input would be nice).

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Fun

Written by: MILTON on 02/15/2007

Vehicle

2002 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is the most fun car I have ever driven. Its only downfall is that it is a little weak on take off. Its high end speed and gas mileage at the high end are great. There is no way to explain the handling and fun factor.

Favorite Features

The handling, fun, and how easy it is to park.

Suggested Improvements

The climate controls are a little hard to reach at 6'3". But on auto you really don't have to adjust them.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Can't Wait to Get Another One

Written by: AimlssVail on 12/11/2006

Vehicle

2002 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We have had this car for 4 1/2 years in the Colorado High country. Even on a powder day I wouldn't trade it. It loves the snow and handles awesome. I average well over 30 miles a gallon around town and 40 on a road trip. It will wiz up Vail Pass at high speeds (shhhh don't tell). OK so it can't handle a snowboard over 156cm, I guess that is what the sunroof is for!

Favorite Features

I love the five Channel CD player and sunroof. The leather interior has held up well, even with the dogs riding shotgun.

Suggested Improvements

I understand the lame cup holders have been improved, so no other suggestions.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Runabout Plus!

Written by: johnnie3 on 11/16/2006

Vehicle

2002 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This is an amazing automobile for what I got it for. I drive a lot coming and going to work and wanted something other than the traditional Toaster-Box commuter car (PT Cruiser, Toyota Yaris, Ford Focus, etc.) This car has as much equipment as my larger SUV and is just a comfortable and I'm a rather large fellow of 6', 250 lbs. I can still even get four folks in for a run to the movies, mall or what have you. I love it and so far and I'm glad that I bought it. I wish I could have gotten a smarter salesperson at the Mini dealer who told me that there was no certified used program thus causing me to get one someplace else. Whatever, I do most of my own maintenance anyway.

Favorite Features

I love the large sunroof and anti-glare screen. The cruise control is nice, not herky jerky.

Suggested Improvements

A longer wheelbase might be a good one, but then again I hear that the '07s are just that...bigger! I would also like more of an EQ Type of adjustment in the stereo as I listen to various types of recordings that don't reproduce without sounding a bit tinny.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2002 MINI Cooper S

Written by: CqqPER on 09/09/2006

Vehicle

2002 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

For a first year of production vehicle, my Mini has been almost trouble-free. It's a bargain to boot. It is very well designed and constructed. This car is so much fun one should be issued at birth.

Favorite Features

The handling, braking, safety and reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Even better gas mileage?

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Love My Mini

Written by: steve on 05/31/2006

Vehicle

2002 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I was totally bummed when my Alfa was totaled (pun intended) but owning this Mini has made the passing a positive experience. This is the most fun car I have driven in a long time. Even though I didn't get the faster model, it is plenty quick around town. On a recent 4 hour road trip, we couldn't believe the gas mileage we got on the highway going back and forth from NY to DC in one tank of gas! The car cruised effortlessly at 80 mph the whole way and was a comfortable ride.

Favorite Features

I love the responsiveness of the steering. The car turns on a dime.

Suggested Improvements

9 out 9 people found this review helpful

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"Monster"

Written by: MonsterMINI on 05/20/2006

Vehicle

2002 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

Monster is the license plate of my 2002 Chili Red Mini Cooper S with black bonnet stripes. It is BMW technology at its best - an affordable, compact car that people from all walks of life desire. The history plays a major roll for this car, yet even if this was its first time around, I believe it would be equally as popular simply because of its perfect engineering and carefree lifestyle that it promotes. Whenever MINI owners pass one anther on the street they most always wave or honk, very unusual in today's world of "iPods."

Favorite Features

I love the shift knob, road feel (grip) around corners, dual sunroofs / moonroofs, and radio controls on the steering wheel

Suggested Improvements

nothing!

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Mini and Me

Written by: Holly Bell on 02/02/2006

Vehicle

2002 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

Owning a MINI Cooper S is like having a Corvette. Every Mini owner you pass by on the road waves just like the Vette owners. It andles well on the road. I am able to keep up with all the other traffic on the highway. The Cooper S is nimble and quick enough to react in tricky situations, but it is a heavy vehicle that doesn't sway back and forth on the highway when its windy like other vehicles I have owned. this is especially nice when passing tractor trailors.

Favorite Features

I like how easy it is to fit into tight parking spots in this car. Another nice feature is that both back seats go down and you can fit pretty big items back there.

Suggested Improvements

Give it better cup holders that can handle tall coffee cups. Different levels of heat control for the seats instead of high and low would also be nice.

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Excellent Car, Too Bad...

Written by: Tomas N on 01/23/2006

Vehicle

2002 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Driving the MINI Cooper is the most fun that anybody can have with their pants on; it really is that good. It's fast (although could be faster), and the phrase "corners like it's on rails" is a tremendous understatement. Unfortunately, the fun can only be had for 4, maybe 5 days a week, as the Cooper will inevitably spend the rest of the week getting fixed. In the 2+ years that I've had my car, it has been in the shop for a total of about 14-16 times. Everything has been replaced (from the power steering fan, to the entire transmission, and everything in between). I would estimate that the total cost of repairs (under warranty) has been approximately $10-$12K CDN.

Favorite Features

Sharp and edgy styling, Ferrari-like attention for the price of a bag of milk, and most importantly of all performance, performance, performance!

Suggested Improvements

This car is incredible, but unfortunately it's also very, very unreliable. In short, it's more like dating a woman with issues than like being a stable long-term relationship. As great as things can possible be, when it rains it pours, and it's awfully frustrating...

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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