2003 MINI Cooper Consumer Reviews

You will not regret this purchase!

Written by: jujuzulu on 12/23/2008

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This car has been incredible! It is enjoyable, gets great gas mileage and I bought mine back when everyone stopped me to see "What in the heck is that?" you're driving. (Fun, at first but ultimately a bit cumbersome! Although once I started talking about it, couldn't stop smiling!). The run flats have been a nice asset, as that has been my only problem in 5 years of ownership---2 flat tires! Motor on, MINI!

Favorite Features

Absolutely love the leg room--it's amazingly roomy and I'm over 6'. In addition, the standard transmission really rocks. The best/practical feature is the placement of the speedometer and other dials inside the car---they are very easily read!

Suggested Improvements

It's been discussed to death and I even received a cup in the mail but the front cup holder isn't sufficient for American-size beverages! Also, the rubber things on the pedals come off super easily, but can be replaced.

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Best car ever.

Written by: justcorey on 11/24/2008

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

The title sums it up! I purchased my '03 MINI in 2/06 with 35.5k on the odometer and it has been awesome. It has plenty of space for me (6'5"/255 lbs.) and a co-pilot, great car on the highway (which is about 80% of my driving), plenty of power for such a small car and is just plain fun to drive. I skipped on the 'S' model but have not been disappointed with my decision. It has truly been a reliable car - I say this as I'm about to hit 98k. The only major out of pocket expense was a set of rear calipers and rotors - all other repairs have been fairly inexpensive and limited to mostly oil changes every 15k. I would not hesitate to recommend this car to anyone, as I love mine that much.

Favorite Features

For a non-S model, it's quick, responsive and just plain fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Better cup holder location.

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No way, no how!

Written by: baker831 on 10/29/2008

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My Mini has been nothing but trouble, I have had to replace the brakes twice and have stored it for 2 winters and owned it less than 2 yrs. The driver's door went from only opening from the outside to not opening at all. Now the power steering is messed up. The closest dealer is 3 hrs away and no one else will touch it, plus it is expensive to fix. The cup holder is extremely inconvenient, w/ being such a small car they really should move it. When it is working it is fun to drive but I'm afraid to go too far. The heated seats are nice but the driver's gets hot, like burn you hot. Not worth the trouble, money or time. Sure it looks cute but icarumba

Favorite Features

It is good when it does snow. I stored mine in the winter but one day before it was stored it snowed and did pretty good. The heated leather is nice but gets hot

Suggested Improvements

The cupholder is aweful and the drivers door is terrible. Also it should be able to be fixed at a BMW dealership, it is a BMW product but they won't touch it.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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The best!

Written by: roadhogmini on 06/09/2008

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

I have had mine for 5 yrs. Just made my first repair tonight for $131. I kept up my maintenence and it's paid off. No problems what-so-ever. I have had 2 wear & tear replacements that I would consider normal. New brakes put on last year (bought them from online site & had local mechanic put on for much less than dealer) and am on my 3rd set of run-flat tires, also purchased from online site. Shipped to my house and put on at mechanics shop. At 107,000 miles, several friends are in a bidding war to buy mine when I upgrade in about a year. How many cars have that kind of draw? Everytime I think I will go back to a regular car, I drive a regular car and go running back to my MINI!

Favorite Features

Handling, exterior styling, fuel economy, low maintenence schedule

Suggested Improvements

Would be nice if it didn't require premium gas!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I should have my head examined

Written by: Eddie Mikell on 05/08/2008

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this car instead of a miata because I thought I need 4 seats. WHAT WAS I THINKING? What a joke vehicle. It leaks oil, it shudders on acceleration. It's unreliable. People will tell you it's the ride man, the ride, but the ride doesn't make up for all the repair bills, or lack of body integrity. It's cute, but it is a lemon.

Favorite Features

The sound of the cash register everytime I go in for repairs. haha

Suggested Improvements

put a cooper shell around a miata frame. Now that would be the biggest improvement

1 out 3 people found this review helpful

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I love Minis

Written by: coryelli23 on 02/07/2008

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

This is honestly the best car I have ever driven or ridden in. It is very fun to drive and has amazing handling. Also, the turning radius is very tight. The only bad thing about it is when you have to replace the tires. They are very expensive and hard to find. Honestly, I cannot see myself wanting another car.

Favorite Features

Sun roof, dashboard features, 6 speed

Suggested Improvements

The only improvement would be move the front cup holders. I never use them because they are inconvenient.

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Best Daily Driver

Written by: mob662 on 11/10/2007

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Fun to drive period. Have a few cars - but this hands down is the most fun. Downside is it only gets 29 mpg.

Favorite Features

Corners like a go-cart.

Suggested Improvements

Increase gas mileage by making it a hybrid.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love it, but not the maintenance expense

Written by: christalhp on 10/18/2007

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

I love my MINI, it's quick, responsive and fun to drive. But I've had to replace one run-flat tire for every year I've owned it - 200-500/tire. Add that to the three times I've had to replace parts for the window, the consistent rattling noises, and a guy wire in the door that pops off so I can't easily open the driver side door - I've spent more money on my Mini in the past four years than I ever did on my first car - a Honda Civic SI. You WILL be paying BMW prices for labor and parts. The allure of the initial price tag of the Mini (substantially lower than a BMW) is overshadowed by the maintenence costs - with alll the electrical problems of a BMW to boot.

Favorite Features

It's responsive, quick and handles great - the steering and feel of the car really is a go-cart

Suggested Improvements

Get ride of the run-flats on the S- model - the vehicle is already expensive enough to maintain.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Recommend With Reservations

Written by: Steve Doman on 08/08/2007

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Excellent combination of driving fun and mileage. While the main components seem sturdy, there have been minor flaws--such as a shift knob that flaked apart, driver seat broke after 2 weeks, cooling fan didn't shut off, etc. While these are relatively minor issues, they carry more weight when the closest dealer is 30 miles away! I would recommend only if one has access to another vehicle for emergencies. It's not unlike having a really hot looking babe; one overlooks certain flaws or inconveniences for the pleasures involved.

Favorite Features

Handling is beyond anything I've ever experienced, which makes driving to the corner store a pleasure.

Suggested Improvements

More dealerships. Longer warranty. Better quality control.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Simply Outrageous Mini

Written by: SO Mini on 08/05/2007

Vehicle

2003 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Our Mini Cooper is exciting and fun to drive. We've had our Mini for about 3 months and really enjoy the performance and compliments we get. It has become a great marketing tool for our company and a relief on the wallet with fuel economy at over 30 miles per gallon on the highway. This is one of the best values on the road for your money. We can't wait to join some of the rallies that seem to take place every weekend. We nicknamed ours Simply Outrageous Mini or "SO Mini." Let's motor...

Favorite Features

The interior dials, the full sunroof, and packages (premium and sports). The Mini Cooper drives like a Go Kart around corners and curves. Lots of attention.

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders are not well designed, too close to the manual gearshift and the control toogles. Air conditioner takes some power away from the engine when driving in the city.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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