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Original poster

New mini - anyone got one? How practical?

19 replies

Hulababy · 15/12/2004 20:40

Looking for advice please!

We are looking at getting a new car - a 2bd car. We have a new VW Golf but once we move in the New Year we need a second car to go along side this one.

We had been looking at a Smart 4 Four. Having had the original Smart 2 seater, which I adored, this was a good choice for me. But DH has looked more into it and they come out as being quite expensive for leasing/renting (what ever it's called) as they don't hold their value well. So looks like that's now out of the tunning.

DH's choice is a new Mini Cooper. But I have some concerns and, although we will go to garage and try out everything, DH suggested I posted here to see if anyone has any answers:

  1. The boot, well what there is of one! Can you fit a pushchair in the boot? I am sure the Volo would fit but what about a big three wheeler - the wheels do come off very quickly?

  2. DH is 6 feet 1 and has the drivers seat quite far back. The back seats do look very deep but can you happily put a baby (0-9 months) car seat in the rear without it hitting the back of the drivers seat? We tried the Audi TT when DD was tiny but we coldn't in that for example.

  3. DD has an Isofix car seat, Britax one. She's now 2y 8m and just about average ehight - maybe a little taller but not much. Would there be plenty of room for her legs?

  4. Final one from DH - golf bag and clubs???? Will they fit in the rear?

TIA!

OP posts:
JennisaurusUnderTheMistletoe · 15/12/2004 22:43

Not very helpful sorry. A work colleage has one and I have had a few lifts. It is really quite small IMO. I wouldn't like to have one with two small children, not very much boot space or back seat space.

When we were thinking about a second car we were seriously considering a Corsa, seemed the best smaller car for us and DD (1)

Smashingpumpkin · 15/12/2004 22:46

my sis has a mini and we can't fit the pushchair in the boot despite it being an umbrella style no frills pushchair..sorry!!

KatieMaChristmas · 15/12/2004 22:48

What a shame - we got a forfour and it is fantastic - i love it, i love it, i love it, i love it,

It's so fast and neat and easy to park (well anything would be after the uylsse)

Did I mention I love it

Davrosthesnowwoman · 15/12/2004 22:55

I had a Mini Cooper S (on the day it was released na na na na na!) but chopped it in once 2nd baby born. No way a reasonable push chair could go in the boot. OK room for 6'2" DH and 1 kid and baby but def no pushchair. If you've already got a small/average sized car you may have to go the dreaded way of the estate, it just makes sense to have variety rather than 2 similar cars. Would rather still have my mini though

mullgedwine · 15/12/2004 22:57

Just failed to persuade dh that a mini convertible is a suitable car for me and 2yo twins. Got me a test drive, though! Its just too small to be any practical use. Looks good, goes well, cheap to insure, maybe one day we'll have a 3rd car, and only drive it on sundays.. with no pushchairs or kiddie crap.

Davrosthesnowwoman · 16/12/2004 07:45

Make the 2yo old twins walk and get the Mini!

misdee · 16/12/2004 08:16

How about a medium sized car? think the mini would be too small for 2 kids. We have the new astra, very good for 2 kids, can fit 3 wheeler in the boot. and its not too big really.

ChristmasBOOZA · 16/12/2004 09:31

My SIL has one and also a 9 week old baby. They also have a Focus (so similar size to your Golf). Its hardly being used much at the moment but she is still on maternity leave. Actually there plan is to always use the Focus with the baby.

I don't think the Volo will fit in the boot - too long. Another friend who's DH had one had to buy a Graco City pushchair to fit in. Rear leg room not too good but should be OK for short journeys - I assume you would use the Golf as the main family car. My MIL also has one and DS seems to manage OK but he is in a high back booster which means that his legs go down more than out IYSWIM.

Other thing is that the seats are quite shaped (sort of buckety) so my SIL has had to get a roll of foam to fit under the 0-9 months car seat.

Golf bag and clubs - would think you would have to put the back seat down.

Original poster
Hulababy · 16/12/2004 20:42

Looks like the Mini may be out then! Going to get DH to look at the fourfour again now - that was my fave anyway.

Definitely don't want to go down the route of estate pr people carrier yet

DH is hoping to update the Golf (we have a new GTFSI) witht he new Golf GTI Turbo in new year when release but need to sort out 2nd car too. Only want a smallish car, but one that has something about it IYSWIM. Will definitely get DH to look at the Smart again.

KatieMac - how practicial is it - same kind of questions as original post really. I know the back seat can go forward and back, and we have test driven it with DD's 9months-4 year Isofix seat which was no problem.

OP posts:
KatieMaChristmas · 16/12/2004 20:47

Well you can get 4 adult's in (no middle seat belt in ours)but not much luggage
Our 7 yo old can fit behind me driving but not DH (6'2" but very long legged), but she sits behind me when he's driving.

If no passengers then loads of boot space - but my main double would never fit - my umbrella double would (but I hate it) - This is our family car I never take the babies in it.

It is very fast and very manouverable

What else?

KatieMaChristmas · 16/12/2004 20:48

btw DD is 4ft 4 and longlegged like her Dad

Davrosthesnowwoman · 16/12/2004 20:55

The mini is no problem for 2 adults and 2 children, its just the pushchair and/or other gear. Can't believe the Smart will be any different but will wait to hear. One of the things I loved about my mini is that people liked it so much, there weren't many around then I suppose, but people and especially kids often came up and said it had put a smile on their faces. Especially when I put magnetic flowers on it!!

Original poster
Hulababy · 17/12/2004 09:02

Cheers both of you.

From our initial looks and test driving the Smart - the Smart is definitely bigger, especially the boot.

Think we will go and do a seocnd test drive, but this time take our baby car seat (in loft somewhere) and our pushcair with us to try it out.

Thanks.

OP posts:
Davrosthesnowwoman · 17/12/2004 10:54

I actually think 2 door cars are quite good with kids. You get used to climbing in the back to fasten their seatbelts and its safer when they are more mobile, no jumping out and no door handles to mess with. DO tell us how your tests go.

noddyholder · 17/12/2004 14:23

My sister has one but no kids!We went out in it last night and it is v small and quite hard to get out of it is low down.The back seat is a bit of a squeeze and the ceiling is right on your head.It felt claustrophobic But it looks groovy

Original poster
Hulababy · 17/12/2004 16:09

Davros - I also don't mond 2 door cars with car seats. ia ctually found it easier in our 3 door Audi to do the baby seat than in out 5 door Golf. As I am not very tall I have to stretch and twist from a side door. With the Audi I just stood in the back foot well - much easier

OP posts:
KatieMaChristmas · 17/12/2004 16:17

Hnag on our forfour has 5 doors....doesn't it?

Original poster
Hulababy · 17/12/2004 16:18

Yes it does!

Was just replying to the other post.

OP posts:
Davrosthesnowwoman · 17/12/2004 22:52

Soorry, just assumed it had 2 doors have never looked at one properly (usually whizzing by!)

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