Does anybody know what the difference is between the mini and mini ONE? and why aren't they here in the states?

 

I'm sure someone can post all of the technical details, or point you toward them (there's a nice chart on the international part of the MINI site that compares all 4 models)...but basically the MINI One is more of a base model than the Cooper. Smaller displacement engine and lower trim level. A car like the One makes sense in Europe and other world markets, but not here in the US. It's not uncommon for many manufacturers to offer lower trim/less expensive models than what we get here in the states. In the US, all of the money is made on up-market cars, or at least cars with a high trim level; whereas elsewhere in the world higher-priced cars are often more rare, and the money is made via volume in lower-priced cars.

Or put another way, the manufs have it figured out that we Americans are suckers for, and apparently have the cash for, high-markup options. Well, that's part of the answer I suppose...

 

It's easy, You can't have a MINI One unless you leave America.

 

MINI Cooper: 115 hp, optional contrasting roof/mirrors, alloy rims.

MINI ONE: 90 hp, body-color only roof and black cheapo plastic mirrors, hubcaps.

Why don't they sell it in the U.S.? The "official" reason is that a 90 hp car wouldn't sell all that well in the very "horsepower-conscious" U.S. market.

_________________
2003 DARK SILVER / WHITE MCS.

 

Check out The One specs
also One D specs

Check out The Cooper specs
...and while we're at it:
Check out Cooper S specs

Cheers,
Ryan