2004 MINI Cooper Consumer Reviews

My Favorite Little Red Car

Vehicle

2004 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

This car is a blast to drive. The first thing people notice is how roomy the interior is for a car that is so small. I love the size, it is just right for me. The Mini S gives you the best of both worlds; it's speedy as heck and rides like a European sportscar but doesn't waste too much fuel. I get an average of 35mpg, but you get a lot less if you drive fast. Main things I like are the interior set-up; the dash is beautifully shaped and covered with nice material that's easy to keep clean. I like how the switches & controls are centralized around the console and steering wheel. The interior is not small compared with the outside, and it gives you that feeling of being safe that only a European car gives. When you drive the Mini, you won't feel like you're in a claustrophobic box but rather a pretty comfy sportscar! I've used it to commute 35 miles each way Monday thru Friday for the past 3 months with no complaints or problems. I found mine at a repo-auction where I got a great price on it, although it had 103K miles, it was a clean Florida car with no issues and a pretty reasonable price for me. I will be investing in a different set of wheels and tires for the winter though, as the 17-inch custom wheels & tires don't like snow at all and I can't drive in the heavy snow. I have been told by a fellow Mini owner that with the right tires and wheels, the car will deal with the snow much better.
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Mini USA's little ATM machine!

Vehicle

2004 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

With 60k miles on it CVT transmission failed on the freeway at rush hour, they tried to charge me $10k to replace it, talked em down to $3k but still then the fuel gauge, again, leaving me stranded on the freeway $1200, then the power steering $1000, then the mysterious $1200 thermostat repair that took them over a week to diagnose, apparently I hit a pot hole on the way home from the dealership (I have no memory of hitting anything) but the next day all the radiator fluid was on the ground so back she went to where they set me back another $2200 for a new radiator. I'm not even listing the numerous repairs that cost under $500 that I had to do, all for a car with less than 85k miles.
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Best car all around

Vehicle

2004 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

My MINI is the best car I have ever had. I have the John Cooper Works model with work done making 249 hp. Besides the incredible power everything else about this car is spot on. For the money the interior is GREAT quality and flashy. Nothing is broken or falling off. I get 40 mpg highway with the work done and all. With 47k miles and the only problem was a leak in the slave cylinder. All in all the most fun car in the world. It is cheap, economical, high quality, fast, great handling, attractive, and always puts a smile on your face
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repairs, repairs, repairs

Vehicle

2004 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

I love my mini, I hate the repair costs. It was great until Dec. when I ended up spending $4000.00 in repairs. The single largest expense was the clutch flywheel. I have it repaired at an independent shop where I purchased the car or it would have been twice as expensive. I called the dealer to compare prices. I was able to get 286,000 mi.on my last clutch so I do know how to drive a car without abusing a clutch. This car has been a delight to own otherwise. I have been tempted to sell, but I love driving it. I keep hoping each repair is the last. Let's hope it is. I do agree each time I take it in, just to get oil changed, it cost about $1000.00.
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Mini Review

Vehicle

2004 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

For the most part I have absolutely loved being a Mini owner. I got the car with 39k i think and now I am at over 90k and haven't had any real problems out of it. I really wish that it was easier to work on. Im a 24 yr and am not made of money to go to the dealer every time I need to change the oil. I haven't had any tranny problems like all the other comments, but Im guessing that theirs is automatics.
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My Mini

Vehicle

2004 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

If you lease this car it's great! I bought it, and I keep buying it every time I go in for the scheduled service. I am going to miss this car after I trade it in. The money it costs to run it is 10 times the amount you will save in gas costs. Also you need to pack a lunch to drive to the very rare and exclusive mini service dealerships.After you get there eat that lunch you packed while you wait for hours to find out that there is more than just an oil change. Have a strong heart for the bill you get. I know for a fact I could have been driving a Lincoln cheaper than this. If you have lots of money and time to blow, buy this car!
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Great Car

Vehicle

2004 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

2004 Cooper S with 124000+ Miles. Only problem encountered was the stock tires. The car is used for work commute of 100 miles round trip per day in Mighigan. In rain and snow, stock tires did not hack it. The dealer has been great. The only maintenance so far has been service periods which for me clock in at about 23000 miles.
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DONT BUY A MINI!

Vehicle

2004 MINI Cooper S 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl S/C 6M)

Review

I bought this mini just over 6 months ago and have had nothing but problems! Got it from a local deal with a 3 month warrenty, kept having to take it back and now have a constant reoccuring problem that no local garage can find let alone sort!!! Warrenty has run out now the costs keep rolling in!!!
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Yippee

Vehicle

2004 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought a cooper S in October of 09. I have always wanted a mini since the age of 16. Now at the age of 46 it was well worth the wait. I have had no bad experiences with this car. It is as fun to drive as it looks. I was hesitant to purchase after reading all the negative reviews. To compensate for unwarranted repairs, I purchased a 2 year extended warranty. I would strongly recommend this car for the person who loves having fun and enjoying life.
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Midlife Crisis Car

Vehicle

2004 MINI Cooper 2dr Hatchback (1.6L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I fell in love with the 09 MINIs the first time my wife and I drove a brand new 08 in the Spring of 09. But I was reluctant to spend the 28K on the sticker. Then I found an 04 with 50K miles for half that and thought it would be a good way to see if we really wanted one. This car has exceeded every expectation we had for fun, economy and attention-getting. We occasionally read about CVT issues for this year, but after 6 months of daily commutes of 70 miles we still love this reliable, trouble-free sports car. Just put snow tires on for our winter commuting. My wife thinks it is a sensible choice for a mid-life crisis vehicle, and nothing we have ever owned is this much fun to drive!
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