Do you drive a Mini?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

I'm looking to replace my trusty old Fiesta and have seen a tempting little Mini. 2 year old, 5 door Cooper hatchback. It felt good to drive, but more than I planned to spend and I want to be sure it's the right choice.

It will be just my car, not the main family car. I'll use it daily for the school run and two/ three times a week to get to work ( 20-60 mile round trip). Need to carry to sets of school bags, plus two largish work bags. No dog. I do a mixture of country roads, dual carriageway and suburban driving. 10-12k miles I year. I'd want to keep it for at least 5 years, so it needs to be the right choice.

Any opinions ( good, bad, ugly) from Mini drivers would be very welcome.

My teenage son has one. I often drive it when he is away at university, I love it. It is very low down but you get used to it. It is also more spacious than my car. 😂

I drive work ones. Great cars but personally find the driving position uncomfortable.

I used to have a mini a few years ago I loved it! A really nice drive. I did have issues with it in the end though and that’s why I decided to sell it on instead of forking out loads of money to fix it but apparently that was a common issue with the 08 plate, so probably wouldn’t be an issue with the plate your getting.

My husband who is tall-ish did find it slightly uncomfortable and wasn’t great if there was a passenger behind him (literally no leg space for them). But for myself (5 ft2) it was a dream!

Maybe try looking at reviews of the car in question.

I had one before the DC came along. It is low, but that didn’t bother me. I loved it, and I fully intend to get another one one day.

I have one , and am very pleased with it . No issues at all . I like the ease of parking and small size after years of driving big family size cars .

I learned to drive in one it was fantastic

I've had my 06 plate mini for 6 years now. Considering the age of the car and how long I've had it I've had minimum repairs needed and love driving it. As PP said, it is lower down but you get used to it.

Also noticed people always let you out at junctions etc when in a mini

I have exactly that one, 5 door cooper. I absolutely love it, I mainly use it for commuting and short weekend journeys (mixture of motorways and country roads) but I also drive 150+ miles going to customer meetings a few times a month and I’ve never been uncomfortable. My husband is 6ft 3 and he fits in the drivers seat with the seat all the way back, I also have my sons car seat in the back. The boot comfortably fits a pram and a couple of shopping bags so will definitely fit just bags. I really love it, it feels solid and safe.

I'm going to go against the grain here... My husband has one and I drive it sometimes, I find it uncomfortable to drive, especially on country roads (I end up feeling really queasy).

I am on my 3rd! Love love love it! Go for it!

I’ve just had a new one delivered.

I completely love it. I had the last one from new too, but in 4 years they’ve really improved. It’s so nippy and easy to drive. Feels very sturdy and safe and is the perfect car for me.

And yes, other drivers are very courteous to minis! I had a BMW 8 series as a courtesy car as my mini delivery date was delayed. Other drivers hated me, none of the being let straight out & general friendliness you get in a mini.

Ah, but that was because that was a BMW. From the sublime to the ridiculous.

On my second mini.... Love it!

Do you mean the new BMW ones or the old ones. Only drove the old ones- like driving a go-kart on the M62. Bloody brilliant. When I was younger. If the new ones (yes, I know they aren't new but I'm old ) feel like that only they don't break down all the time, I'd love one.

I am on my third mini! I started with that Mini Cooper, then the Mini Cooper SD and now the Mini Cooper S. I've loved them all!

They're much bigger then people expect and I have no issues with boot space/people sitting in the back. I even have a lab who goes on the back seats with a blanket very happily.

They are so easy to park and to drive in built up areas. I also do long distance driving and haven't found it to be uncomfortable .You get good mileage and generally they look fab!
Go for it!

Absolutely love mine. It's the same spec as you're considering and the same age. It's great to drive, you can fit loads in, 4 of us fit in it comfortably & it can handle anything. They're particularly good in snow, weirdly.

I regularly drive hire cars for work and everything I've ever had has been shit compared to my Mini.

I'm on my 2nd one and I don't plan on buying anything else in future.

Go for it!

Thanks everyone. Sounds like they are good cars, and they do look super. It feels like a big treat, but I'm 41, work hard for my money and spent at least 15 of my driving years in my mum's hand me down Fiestas, so I guess it's all relative 😉

I love my mini, fabulous to drive and very nippy.

I went from a Ford Galaxy to a mini so a bit of a jump but it's so much nicer to drive.

My first car was an old style mini and I have been hankering after one for years, it has not disappointed.

I had a Cooper S convertible and I liked it initially, but then I travelled in the back once and thought it was claustrophobic. It depends what tyres are on it too. Mine had run flats, which I had to change because I felt every pebble.

I don’t think that Minis are a particularly comfortable ride and they are expensive to maintain, although their garages seem to offer excellent service (unlike our nearest Nissan).

I wouldn’t have another.

I used to. It's a really fun car but try and avoid doing too many long journeys - I found it uncomfortable and a bit like a little go-cart at times!

I’ve had a couple, like people say the run flat tyres are expensive to replace. Believe me general maintenance and repairs can be costly. The sports suspension means exactly what Foxy said you feel every slight bump, it’s not comfortable at all.

I have a Mini Countryman hybrid. Absolutely love it 😍

On my 2nd - LOVE them... mini cooper/countryman - if I ever get the chance to change i fancy the clubman next - love em all!

I used to have a 2012 plate bought new. I loved it! But I was small (5'2" size 8).

When my eldest starts driving in a couple of years I'll definitely get another.

The down side is the back is teeny: I could manage two infant schoolers but a grown child would struggle. Also tiny boot - no room for lots of shopping.

I have a Cooper with the Chilli pack and a bloody love it. Zippy, easy to park and a surprisingly big boot given the overall size of the car.