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Original poster

Mini or something else

27 replies

Beltie · 01/07/2020 18:01

Hello,

I’m looking to buy my first ever car and have convinced myself that a Mini, being the car I passed my driving test in 11 years ago, is the way to go. I have driven only a handful of times since then because I am not a confident driver.

I have a 5-year-old, so, is a 3-door Mini annoying to get a small child in and out of or should I focus on 5-door cars instead and just learn to drive in one of those?

Thoughts gratefully received.

OP posts:
FartingInTheFence · 01/07/2020 18:08

Your child will get bigger and the car will not.

Get a 5 door car thats reliable. Something Korean or Japanese (NOT Nissan).

PS - Mini's are fucking shit. 👍

JC12345 · 01/07/2020 18:10

How about something like a Toyota Yaris? Compact but big enough for car seats and reliable. A five door car is no different to drive than a three door.

TimeWastingButFun · 01/07/2020 18:11

A five door car with excellent safety rating in a crash are the two top points for me. Also electric, if you can. Absolutely love mine and no more fuel.

granadagirl · 01/07/2020 18:17

I’ve got a mini and had it 13 yrs
I absolutely love it, so nippy
Easy to park and have only had a couple of things done in garage in all the time.

At 5 it’s not like you have to pick her up and put her in the back
Just flip the seat forward
By 5 she should be able to open her seat belt herself, so flip seat forward - out!

If it’s a newer car your looking at then they do 5 door mini

FartingInTheFence · 01/07/2020 20:01

Have a look at how poor Mini's rank for reliability too. They are shit compared to superior Japanese marques like Lexus, Toyota and Honda.

YaYaDingDong · 01/07/2020 20:54

I'd never buy a 3 door car. I had one once, and it's so inconvenient.
I'd recommend a Ford Fiesta, or a Ford Focus.

Mmmmycorona · 01/07/2020 20:58

You will regret a 3 door car with a child.

Original poster
Beltie · 01/07/2020 21:23

@FartingInTheFence Honestly, it’s to do with how easy they are (for me) to drive. I’ve driven loads of small cars (lessons for 10 years on and off and four driving tests in Corsas, Focuses, Fiestas, Kas, all the instruction favourites) and the mini was the only one that I was high enough to see properly out of (I’m 5ft 1) and could reach the pedals without doing constant adjustment whilst driving and not have the steering wheel in my face.

Are they that unreliable? V. interesting. I knew they were a bit marmite but the only critiques I’d heard so far were from people who tend to dislike any small car

OP posts:
Original poster
Beltie · 01/07/2020 21:30

@granadagirl It’s exactly the nippiness, the parkability and general ease of driving I’m after. They also seem quite muscular, as if they have presence on the road (although I’m sure that’s not how you’re supposed to judge...) I’m also v. short and from having driven loads of driving instruction cars the Mini was the most comfortable. Nice that you’ve driven it for 13 years - it must feel a part of you now!

OP posts:
timetest · 01/07/2020 21:30

A 3 door car with a small child Is not a good idea. I’d look at a Yaris, Honda jazz or a Suzuki swift.

saywhatdidhesay · 01/07/2020 22:10

I would agree with those saying go for a five door.

I replaced a company car with a 3 door mini. 18 months later I am changing it. At first it was ok, but I cannot fit the weekly shop in the boot and my small 6 year old is squashed in the back. Second child aged 8 moans that he has no room. They also dislike not having their own openable windows and you feel every bump on the road, so they often complain of feeling sick on long journeys.

The three doors are a nuisance and in the mini there is no middle seat in the back (worth knowing)

I have swapped for something practical that will still make me smile when I drive it. It'll be another few years til the mini convertible.

Good luck with your search and the driving. There is so much out there now - I'm also petite like you and would recommend doing some test drives of alternatives

houseforanartlover · 01/07/2020 22:19

I've got one child, a small dog and a Fiat 500! Love the nippiness, I can park anywhere, turning in tight spaces is a breeze and it's very cute. I regularly take three 12-year-olds to activities in it too. Having a 3-door isn't an issue for me personally. But if I had more than 1 kid I might want something bigger.

granadagirl · 01/07/2020 23:02

If there’s only most of the time you& dd then it’s great
Put her behind passenger seat and move it forward if she wants more leg room!
I’ve sat in the back of mine, I’m 5.2 whilst son 5.10 sat in front with seat far back. Wasn’t that bad, only thing but difficult for me was getting out. Older than you you op.

Re the food shop
There’s 3 adults in our house
I have no prob with 4 bags in boot

My mini is a One D 1.4 with sport suspension, so yer you are lower down but with good tyres no cheapo ones it’s ok. Obviously not in the SUV height
But you know that with a mini
Newer ones are higher now.

No two people are going to agree on the same car! It’s personal preference

FartingInTheFence · 02/07/2020 05:06

[quote Beltie]**@FartingInTheFence* Honestly, it’s to do with how easy they are (for me) to drive. I’ve driven loads* of small cars (lessons for 10 years on and off and four driving tests in Corsas, Focuses, Fiestas, Kas, all the instruction favourites) and the mini was the only one that I was high enough to see properly out of (I’m 5ft 1) and could reach the pedals without doing constant adjustment whilst driving and not have the steering wheel in my face.

Are they that unreliable? V. interesting. I knew they were a bit marmite but the only critiques I’d heard so far were from people who tend to dislike any small car[/quote]
Like I said, your child will get bigger, your car will not.

Your choice ultimately, but I wouldnt be touching a Mini with someone elses shitty stick frankly.

All cars are easy to drive.

If you cant handle a bigger car, perhaps you shouldnt even be driving.

Driving requires confidence.

MrsA2017 · 02/07/2020 05:31

I have a Mini Countryman SD - I absolutely love it! Also if you’re not a confident driver have you considered an automatic?

springrollover · 02/07/2020 11:44

I have a Mini Cooper and love it. My first car 30 years ago was a mini and am enjoying driving one again. Fast, nippy, easy to drive and park. I have a wheeled trolley box I keep in the boot, fill up with shopping & just trundle into house (chronic illness disability) so much easier than a big hulking faff of a car.

granadagirl · 03/07/2020 20:05

Some rude people on here, op was only asking
No need to pull somebody driving apart
“ if you can’t handle a bigger car, perhaps you shouldn’t be driving”

Crap, everyone has a preference suv, estate, coupe, small, big.

Elai1978 · 03/07/2020 20:30

I have a Mini Cooper and love it. My first car 30 years ago was a mini and am enjoying driving one again. Fast, nippy, easy to drive and park

I’m not really convinced a MINI Cooper is fast but they are good fun

FartingInTheFence · 04/07/2020 08:48

@granadagirl

Some rude people on here, op was only asking No need to pull somebody driving apart “ if you can’t handle a bigger car, perhaps you shouldn’t be driving”

Crap, everyone has a preference suv, estate, coupe, small, big.

Its a statement of fact, not "pulling someone apart".

Drama much? 🤦‍♂️

granadagirl · 04/07/2020 09:28

Fartinginthefence

I think you’ve got an attitude problem!

springrollover · 07/07/2020 06:17

@Elai1978

I have a Mini Cooper and love it. My first car 30 years ago was a mini and am enjoying driving one again. Fast, nippy, easy to drive and park

I’m not really convinced a MINI Cooper is fast but they are good fun

I live on an island, we have no motorways only country roads so it's definitely fast enough to suit my needs. Each to their own eh.
Loveinatimeofcovid · 07/07/2020 06:22

I’m not sure why size of child would be an issue. I’ve been a passenger in a mini in a long drive with no issues (I’m nearly 6 foot). I’m not keen on minis myself though. Best small car I’ve driven was the Mercedes A class.

Elai1978 · 07/07/2020 07:38

I live on an island, we have no motorways only country roads so it's definitely fast enough to suit my needs.
Each to their own eh.

You tend to need more performance for country lanes than sitting at constant speed on a motorway. The JCW is fast (but not mind bending) and that has more than twice the power of the Cooper.

Standrewsschool · 07/07/2020 07:43

I had a Toyoto Yaris. Good reliable car.

Also have an automatically. Makes driving so much easier, as you don’t have to worry about the driving so much, just where you are going. Literally two pedals, go and stop, like driving a dodgem car! And no clutch control to worry about,

BellsaRinging · 07/07/2020 07:58

I had a mini, bought when I had ds1 who was 4/5 and could get in and out himself. It was fine. I know what you mean about it being easy to drive and that being important. Took me ages to learn to drive too and I was really comfortably with the mini.
It wasn't such fun when I had ds2, because getting baby carriers in and out was a right pain...but I kept it for 6 years because I loved it so much!