Welcome to the forum
I used to have a 1998 Mini which I used as my daily drive for a few years.
Obviously it's a car designed back in 1959 so not modern(they have no power steering for example) but the later one's like you have selected, 1997 to 2000 are the best ones for day to day driving and also the most reliable.
They did a bit more maintenance than for instance your Corsa, much more regular oil changes with the CORRECT oil are ESSENTIAL as the gearbox and engine share the same oil.
They are outstanding FUN with a capital F.
Also ideally having it garaged overnight out of the elements etc for rust prevention.
The boot is not what you could call large.....
But saying all that they are great to drive.
There is a fabulous example for sale at the moment by a club member and has lots of added parts which would make it ideal as an every day car.
And it is for sale for a ridiculously cheap amount of money for a well sorted car that it is.
Check out the link here :
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4193