To buy a Mini??

[LegoRealms]

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?

I'll have to test drive one again. Dh and I did a test drive several years ago, and I was just in the passenger seat. I did enjoy the drive though but the test drive car had a nice glass type of roof, it felt spacious, and cool. I'd need to drive it myself to get a better sense.

I've always had small cars and I'm between cars now so borrowing my husbands Cooper S. I am not a fan. It's obvs a hard ride as it's set up to be like that but generally I just find it incredibly uncomfortable and awkward to drive. Ive just sold a Fiesta and that was so comfortable and forgiving in comparison. I think I'd be more inclined on the Mini on roads where you could enjoy driving it but for pootling round on short trips I wouldn't recommend.

If you want something small a Fiesta, i20 or Jazz would all be on my list above a Mini

I love my clubman and wouldn't swap with anything

Agree about the Fiesta, I've just got rid of my big SUV for one and it's great, nippy, comfortable, economical. Love it

We have a convertible Mini, we love it, but I do feel like I am in a go cart compared to my other car which is a small SUV.

My dh got rid of his as the head gasket went and it cost a fortune to fix and took months to get the part. He lost confidence after that.

Cool and iconic to look at.
Hard, uncomfortable and expensive to own.

Ive had 3 (BMW) Minis, a Cooper S JCW, Paceman, and the standard Cooper S.
TBH, there are better cars out there.
The Mini isnt actually that mini, runflat tyres are a bloody nightmare both hard as hell and jarring and servicing/parts are BMW prices.
Also, if youve got kids, you'll soon learn that a 3 door mini is a complete PITA to get in and out the back of.

Personally id look at Honda or Toyota.

Seat arona is a good small suv but nowhere near as fun as a mini. I think minis are a great car from new on pcp but that’s not what you’re thinking of!

Minis are a lot bigger now than they used to be…. Plenty of other smaller cars nowadays

Or a Ford KA which (since 2007) is the same car in a different frock.

@TesticularHeft
"They're basically made of paper."

What an utter load of uninformed shit.

I have a mini countryman. I love the way it looks and the way it drives - it's the best car I've ever had...

Except...

It's now 7 years old and has cost me £3.5k in two separate repairs since December. I'm therefore looking to get rid of it and trying to resist the temptation to start the cycle again with a new mini. The sensible choice is to step away from mini now and this thread has been really useful in helping me see that.

I take it you haven’t seen the new Minis they’ve brought out yet! Trust me, you’ll be put off. Horrible, cheap looking things. Looks like the one that we are about to buy for DD with the old styling will be her first and last..

Prove me wrong then but for many years it was my job to assess car damage and payout from crashes so I think im more informed than most.

They aren't made from paper, are they? That was Trabants.

@Jovacknockowitch that did make me chuckle 🤭

Had mine 18 years always passed the MOT. I've had new tyres. New brake pads , new exhaust and last month a new clutch cost £475. It's not the most economical petrol wise but it's a big engine. I love putting the top down on a nice day.

Husband has a 4x4 when we need a big car.

I’ve had a Cooper for about 5 years now. It looks and sounds great, I find it a comfortable ride, but find the pedals quite stiff and the clutch hurts my toe joints (arthritis developing ☹️)
There’s also a recurring warning light problem that was ‘fixed’ last year but has come back again now, apparently requiring a different ‘fix’ at a cost of £500+.
Space in the back seats is tiny, especially now I have teenagers. Also I don’t find it at all economical with petrol. The Golf we had before was far better in that respect.
Probably wouldn’t buy one again.

If you want a trouble free car get a Honda Jazz, pretty much the most reliable thing out there. Not as cool as a mini, sure, but replacing a head gasket isn’t exactly cool either or replacing the poorly engineered, overpriced bmw tat these things are built from. Just better engineering all round.

Newer 1.5 vtec versions aren’t slow and can be had around the 10k mark for a 2018 model.

Minis are bigger than you think. Not really mini like the originals.

I have had two, absolutely adored them. My current car is feeling it's age and I'm considering another mini. I never had any trouble with either of mine and very easy to park.

I preferred my VW UP! Not as cool, maybe, but far nicer to drive.

It was a High UP! So a bit funkier inside. Big boot too, for such a compact car.

I saw a mini on Monday towing a medium sized caravan. Not sure how legal that was tbh. It was on the M6.

I have a 5-door Mini One, 9 years old and never had to spend anything to repair it (apart from tyres). I love it, drives really well and good quality! A lot of cars feel like plastic these days (Fiat 500 being one of them…) but the Mini is solid and well-made.
Easily fits 4 adults and has a small boot.