Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy a Mini??

78 replies

LegoRealms · 20/03/2024 21:20

I need a second car for running the kids around and driving round town. Parking is a nightmare so a small tiny car is a good idea. But... are Minis comfortable to sit and drive in? The seats look like they are very low. AIBU to consider a (used) Mini rather than a 'sensible' car?

OP posts:
tweetypi · 20/03/2024 21:23

Minis are really expensive to fix - I loved mine but wouldn't buy again.

Original poster
LegoRealms · 20/03/2024 21:26

That's a consideration, for sure, especially as I'd get a used one.

What did you love about your Mini?

OP posts:
Daffodildilys · 20/03/2024 21:28

The seats are very low. I gave my mini to my dd. She loves it.

Bluevelvetsofa · 20/03/2024 21:33

Minis are uncomfortable, with a hard ride and servicing and repairs are silly money.

DontGiveADuck · 20/03/2024 21:36

They do have an uncomfortable hard ride. If you want something small I’ve had an Hyundai i10 and i20 which are great.

brittanyfairies · 20/03/2024 21:46

The head gasket went on my Mini, apparently it's a common problem. it cost me 4K to repair and went again within 12 months. I loved my car but I won't buy another one.

I also parked my Yaris next to one the other day and realised the Mini was bigger than my Yaris, which made me laugh.

BarleyShuga · 20/03/2024 21:49

Minis are not small . Maybe a Fiat 500 would fit the bill?

Lovemybunnies · 20/03/2024 21:50

I have a Mini Cooper and love it. I live in a small city and it is perfect for squeezing in small parking spaces. I find the seats very comfortable. Having said that, I had to replace something called a ‘vanos unit’ last year (6 years old) which was £3000 so probably wouldn’t have another.

Purplecatshopaholic · 20/03/2024 21:54

I’ve had two Minis (a Cooper, and a Cooper S) - loved them. Great to drive, comfy, decent head room for taller people, and just so cute and cool looking. Had to get rid as I got more dogs and needed more space in the back but I’d defo recommend them.

Offcom · 20/03/2024 21:57

Depending on the reason parking is a nightmare it’s worth looking at narrow cars rather than small?

That said, Minis are such nice looking cars, I’d love to get one one day

Doyouthinktheyknow · 20/03/2024 21:58

I love my mini, I’m on my 3rd. They are reasonably sized small cars though, there is smaller cars out there!

Never had any problems with my Mini’s, they are speedy and a comfortable ride if a little low in the seat.

needahouseindurham · 20/03/2024 21:58

Love my mini. But it's not really v comfortable, it's expensive to fix and not overly practical.

Like others suggest maybe a fiat 500 or smart car.

Onceuponatimeiwasahoe · 20/03/2024 21:58

I love minis and miss mine, I had a roadster, they stopped making them at 65
Plates.
I only had to change the clutch on mine, it was comfortable. Owned her 3years. Shouldn't have ever sold her.

Herdingcatz · 20/03/2024 21:59

They’re not that small, but I love mine. Best car I’ve owned. I like that it’s low-like driving a go-kart

TesticularHeft · 20/03/2024 22:17

I used to have a mini. Super comfy, tiny inside so 2 kids were squished, never went wrong but wasn't expensive to fix or run.

Fiat 500s are unreliable death traps. Stay away.

HesterPrincess · 20/03/2024 22:23

Take one for a decent test drive - I had a Cooper S and we paid a lot of money for it new, adding on LED headlights, heated seats and an automatic gearbox. But after a year, I was rapidly falling out of love with the suspension - we live rurally and I had some days where I feared for my fillings coming out of my teeth! It was a nightmare trying to get my poor Dad in it too, so after 3 years I swapped to a small SUV instead.

Original poster
LegoRealms · 20/03/2024 22:25

which small SUV out of interest? @HesterPrincess

OP posts:
sleepyscientist · 20/03/2024 22:28

Loved mine had three from new/newish, sadly the last one has been traded in and I wouldn't own one again. The build quality isn't what it used to be and they are expensive to fix parts wise unless you use OEM but they just seem to die in 12 months. Currently got an SUV would go back to a Mini when DS is older it will be a convertible and it will also be leased so I don't have to repair it

Zwicky · 20/03/2024 22:44

Minis are expensive for what they are and expensive to run. I like them (aesthetically) but wouldn’t get one. They aren’t that small anymore either so if you are looking for small it doesn’t seem worth it. Citroen C1, Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 106 are small, cheap and practical. i10 is a better car (4vs3 cylinders, chain vs belt) than those and maybe only slightly bigger. Suzuki Ignis and Dacia Duster are bigger without being huge and with a higher driving position.

itsgoingtobeabumpyride · 20/03/2024 22:45

I've got a 12 yr old mini convertible, it's my runaround, absolutely love it.
Love driving with the roof down in the summer.
Can't really fit anyone in the backseat unless they sit sideways with their feet up.
Boot is small but I put the roof down and pile all my shopping in.
Easy to park, not bad on fuel and I've not had anything go wrong with it, it's just passed the mot.

MaloneMeadow · 20/03/2024 22:46

Closely following!! We very nearly bought one the other day but I’m now second guessing myself so this thread is exactly what I need to see

KnittedCardi · 20/03/2024 22:52

I have a Mini Cooper 2015. Love, love, love, it. Never spent anything on it, nothing has ever gone wrong, and it still looks like new. Fab build quality, and I like the ride, but then I like a sporty hard ride, can't bear soft squidgy cars.

Easily fit four adults in, and a full weekly shop fits in the boot.

WoodBurningStov · 20/03/2024 22:52

I'm on my third mini and have loved all 3. My first one I disapprove 30miles a year in and it never missed a beat.

I love the size
The car has a personality
Fun to drive
Cheap to run
Surprisingly big inside

I've had a JCW mini, a Diesel mini and I've just gone back to a JCW mini. Yes it's a hard ride but it makes it more fun to drive.

WoodBurningStov · 20/03/2024 22:53
  • I did 30'000 miles a year in it
Jimmychoo69 · 20/03/2024 23:02

I am on my second mini, love them. My first mini was a 2 door cooper which I had 12 years from new, never had a problem with it. My current mini is a 5 door automatic CooperS. Love it. Not too bad on fuel considering the engine size and I am able to get my elderly mother in and out without too much difficulty plus room for my dog in the back plus shopping.