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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy a Mini Countryman even thought its uncomfortable?

103 replies

myohmywhatawonderfulday · 16/12/2019 15:49

So...last week the dilemma was that dh wouldn't go look at a Mini Countryman even though it was a beautiful example - Chili pack, low mileage etc.

We did go and test drive it. It looked immaculate. It had been looked after. It was the dream. But...I had fogotten how hard mini's are. I used to have a Mini and the feeling came right back.

This week's dilemma...So ..can I do it? Can I really go for style over substance? Can I buy it knowing that it's so uncomfortable?

Does a stylish and comfortable family car exist? I want something that looks like a mini and drives like a Golf.

OP posts:
Hingeandbracket · 16/12/2019 19:28

I mean- they’re not even stunning vehicles to look at
Understatement of the year - they are pig ugly.

CottonSock · 16/12/2019 19:42

I wanted a pretty car and got a Mazda cx3. Probably a different car would be more practical!

FatBlobbyBob · 16/12/2019 19:45

Do not be that person.

TheNinkiestNonk · 16/12/2019 19:53

I have a Countryman and it's not uncomfortable at all. I love it and it's got plenty of space in the back and I have two teenagers. Boot tiny but that doesn't bother me.

CalmConfident · 16/12/2019 19:58

I have an ancient golf...I occasionally test drive other cars thinking I should upgrade ...but everything else is less comfortable and so it stays!

Ijustdontcare · 16/12/2019 19:59

Some of the best advice I ever received was don't compromise on comfort in anything that keeps you off the ground. So Car's, Chairs/Sofa's, Shoes and Mattresses.

Original poster
myohmywhatawonderfulday · 16/12/2019 20:16

@Ijustdontcare that sounds like good advice.

OP posts:
Original poster
myohmywhatawonderfulday · 16/12/2019 20:17

Every time someone recommends a car I am looking it up. I have multiple tabs open on Autotrader so I can compare!

OP posts:
MissConductUS · 16/12/2019 20:52

In that case have a peek at the Subaru Impreza. I love mine - great on petrol, all wheel drive, roomy for a small car and very comfortable on long drives.

GingerRH · 16/12/2019 20:54

But different but I've got the Toyota C-HR. Highly recommend it.

camrose · 16/12/2019 20:58

I have an Audi q2 and love it. It is a very similar size to the Golf but I prefer the higher driving position.

I do a long commute and find it very comfortable. Looked at the VW TRoc and thought the build quality was very poor in comparison with a Golf ( my son has a Golf so I am very familiar with these cars too).

Barnseyboyo · 16/12/2019 21:04

Don’t buy a golf whatever you do. Horrible cars

Mixingitall · 16/12/2019 21:05

It is most definitely the run flat tyres, I had one for a few years and loved the car.

We now lease cars rather than buying them, 2 years and it’s time to swap to something else!

robinsnest1967 · 16/12/2019 21:08

ShockI picked up my new countryman about 5 hours ago! In British racing green.

Mixingitall · 16/12/2019 21:09

Take a look at this website, I’ve had a Honda Civic, Tiguan and Mercedes GLC. My favourite was the Tiguan, like a larger Golf, very comfortable and lovely to drive.

centralukvehicleleasing.co.uk/special-offers/

Paddingtonthebear · 16/12/2019 21:11

We had an older Golf and traded it for a almost new Audi A3. The A3 is a nice car but we would buy another Golf before we bought another an Audi.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 16/12/2019 21:12

When I decided I needed to get a smaller, more efficient car for the multiple shorter journeys I seem to be doing a lot of, I really wanted to love the mini (I tried a few minis, not just the countryman), quite apart from anything else, I couldn’t believe how much like a reverse Tardis it is. Not actually a small car on the outside but absolutely tiny and uncomfortable on the inside, with poor visibility, a real feat of engineering. I went for a Honda H-RV in the end, reliable, comfortable, and, although a smaller car, the inside space seems close to that of the much bigger 4x4 I was driving before.

NotSureWhoIAmToday · 16/12/2019 21:13

I fucking hate my mini. Hate it. So uncomfortable.

But the environmental impact and cost of changing makes me feel morally obliged to just keep it....

Squidgoals · 16/12/2019 21:21

I had a Countryman for a couple of years by the end of which I was done with its shit. Terrible internal tech, weirdly placed controls and it would barely hook up with my iphone. Not particularly nice to drive. Swapped it out for a Volvo S60 a few months ago, which is blissfully comfortable, reasonably fun to drive and works really well with my phone. Countryman was poor, would not recommend

funnelfanjo · 16/12/2019 21:33

My Countryman is a much more comfortable suspension/ride than my old Mini Cooper - I could feel every bump and stone in that, although it was brilliant fun to drive. I would suspect run flat tyres too if you are finding it too hard. My Countryman has bog standard tyres and I’ve done touring holidays in Scotland in it in comfort.

I like the extra height too - my husband drives a bmw 1 series and complains mine is like being in a van. Grin

19lottie82 · 16/12/2019 22:05

Don’t buy a golf whatever you do. Horrible cars

What absolute nonsense Confused

recklessruby · 16/12/2019 22:21

As a pp said mercedes A class. I ve got one, it is beautifully comfortable and roomy inside but really easy to park and quite economical too.

oobedobe · 16/12/2019 22:41

We have the clubman, much more fun to drive than a countryman and cooler too Grin - perfectly comfortable too and plenty of room for the kids/weekly shop etc.

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 16/12/2019 22:49

Minis are awful, overpriced and uncomfortable. Where I live in coastal south west most are driven by the over 70s

Flibbertyjibbit · 16/12/2019 22:55

I love my mini countryman all4. It's a great car for city and long distance driving. I don't find it uncomfortable at all, I wouldn't have bought it if it was uncomfortable.