Hey guys-

been looking for a small car that is fun to drive and gets you excited when you look at it. I drove several cars including the VW GTI which is nice but very choppy, but yesterday I drove the cooper and it has me seriously thinking about it.

I have not had a coupe in almost 10 years so that has me a little nervous; can someone comment on how this car may be infant friendly? No kinds yet but planning a family.

 

it's been a struggle for me, but i can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

coop has the LATCH anchors, which is nice. i had the graco snugride behind the passenger side- have to put towels under the base to level it out. it's tough swinging the basket in and out plus you have to put the passenger seat all the way forward. i now have a convertible seat, rear facing (cosco scenera). i have to put the drivers side all the way forward load and unload kiddo. can't wait until she is >22 lbs so the seat can be forward facing. that'll make life a whole lot easier.

 

Where in H-town?

I can't really say anything on the infant side because I didn't get my Cooper until my youngest was 2. But, I would think a convertible would be easier to get the kiddo out than the hardtop.

If you want to know a bit more about the cars on a local scale, please go here: http://www.hmms.org. We are having our monthly meeting on Sat. July 7th. You can come out and look at different types of MINIs and ask questions in person if you want!

 

Thanks for the reply, I am mostly concern for those times that we will want to use the cooper for weekend trips and such. My wife drives a Cayenne so that will have to be the primary baby vehicle until older.

I hope things get a little easier for you and thanks for sharing.

Regards-
Andy

 

I agree that a convertible would be easier, I just don't know if I am sold on it. I prefer the hardtop. The meet sounds great, I'll check it out and see if we can make it out. We are in one of the memoral villages off I-10.

Cheers-
Andy

 

i don't mind everyday trips like to and from daycare or running errands (trips to costco is a challenge!) we use our sube wagon for the weekend trips 'nat.

btw, i miss my old GTI. that was pre-kiddo.

 

Andy -

Don't settle, my friend!! When my youngest was about to be born, we traded in my Mustang for a Taurus, and I still regret it to this day. Now my boys are older, but like you, our family has 2 cars, my wife's 4-door Focus, and my MC - when I take delivery tomorrow afternoon, that is.

The few times you may have to deal with a little bit of hassle is NOTHING compared to the joy you get every time you are behind the wheel, or worse yet, the regret you'll feel because you went with a "family car", instead of what you heart told you to do.

 

I already made that mistake and certainly don't want to travel that same road. I traded my 325 a few years back and have major regrets to this day; I don want to spend that kind of money again so the MC is hot on my list.

I am really looking forward to making a decission in the next week or so....I appreciate the feed back and best of luck w/ tomorrow's delivery. That must be very exciting for you!

 

I know of an MC convertible in your area. Actually, I know of quite a few MINIs in Memorial! Anyway, they should be at the meeting; however, I won't be. I'll be out of town.

 

I hear you there. I think just about every "car person" has at least one that "got away" and would do anything to get it back. Unfortunately, I have more than one.

They really are wonderful cars. My wife still isn't sold on them, complains that they're too small, ect, but knows that once I make up my mind on something, I'm going to do it, regardless. At least I listened to her somewhat and am getting a decently-optioned MC instead of a stripped-down MCS (between you and me, I'm still not sure I shouldn't have bought the MCS ).

Like you said, the car will mostly be "an issue" when you take it on weekend trips. I say that because it'll only be "an issue" if you allow it to be, and if you're anything like me, you'll find a way for it to not be an issue.

 

i wanted to get rid of mine but had second thoughts. i'm glad i'm keeping it.

 

Works for me. I've been bringing my daughter to daycare in the MCS since she was six months old. We had the Graco Metrolight system with two bases (one for the Mini, the other for the wife's ride). We were lucky she was 20 lbs when she turned a year old. That meant I could put a forward facing seat in, instead of trying to use a convertible seat in the iterim.

there's a thread on NAM with the seats that folks have used in the Mini.

 

You and I have a little in common here, my friend. Once I make up my mind, as my wife would say it, I don't look back. Now granted, thanks goodness I don't do very often...

You know, my concern is those little instances when it becomes a pain to deal with a 2-door, baby, 2 dogs, and luggage. Then again, we have the other SUV for that, so it becomes a mute point.

You know I'm only rehersing my lines here since I will be going into negotiations with my wife...

Andy

 

Good luck Andy, let us know how it goes. I'm pulling for you!

And with that, I'll leave you with my "spousal negotiations" credo:

'Tis far, far better to ask for forgiveness...than to beg for permission.

 

ahh in Houston did you go to Momentum, (great dealership to work with) thats where I go for everything , you said off I-10, I'm on Kirby Dr and towards downtown off patton.

 

That is a bit too risky for my style.....

I did go to Momentum, visited with Jason who treated me well.
Kirby Dr, not too far from me. I am I-10 and Voss.

Hope to join the ranks soon, I'm already getting that warm fuzzy felling...always a good sign.

Thanks to all-
Cheers
Andy

 

My son was a little older when I got my Mini. He was one of the reasons I didn't get one back in '03. But I have to say it's been a lot easier than I thought. And here's something to think about - it's super easy in and out if you put the top down (see the sig).

Something else to think about from the kiddoes point of view- my dad traded in a '62 vette to pay for my birth and never let me forget it!