Hey everyone, new member here. You guys have a cool site with a ton of great info, and I definitely love the racing shots. I've been looking at the new MINI for a while now...I like the race go-cart aspect of it, but not sure how practical it would be for me. At 6'4" 310 lbs I figure I could fit (I've actually sat in one), but not sure how comfortable it would be on long hauls as my shoulders are really wide. I'm the guy you DON'T want to sit next to in the theater... I mean, am I going to tip this thing over in a fast, tight turn? And another thing, I'm worried that I'm going to look like a Circus-Bear on a unicycle when I'm driving one of these things. Any BIG Cooper drivers here?
5th Gear
Quote:
MINIs are not small; they are short in length. There is just as much room in the front of a MINI as there is in any compact car. Originally Posted by billz
Hey everyone, new member here. You guys have a cool site with a ton of great info, and I definitely love the racing shots. I've been looking at the new MINI for a while now...I like the race go-cart aspect of it, but not sure how practical it would be for me. At 6'4" 310 lbs I figure I could fit (I've actually sat in one), but not sure how comfortable it would be on long hauls as my shoulders are really wide. I'm the guy you DON'T want to sit next to in the theater... I mean, am I going to tip this thing over in a fast, tight turn? And another thing, I'm worried that I'm going to look like a Circus-Bear on a unicycle when I'm driving one of these things. Any BIG Cooper drivers here?
In contrast, Minis are small: http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:...0/MiniMINI.jpg
2nd Gear
Someone post up that picture of Penn Jillette next to his pink MINI. If he can drive one, you can drive one! 
To be honest with you, I'm 6' and 300 pounds and very broad. I'm constantly feeling crowded by most car interiors, but I don't really feel that way in my MINI. Two big guys in the front seats is a different story. It could get intimate.
Don't let your height decide.

To be honest with you, I'm 6' and 300 pounds and very broad. I'm constantly feeling crowded by most car interiors, but I don't really feel that way in my MINI. Two big guys in the front seats is a different story. It could get intimate.
Don't let your height decide.
6th Gear
To echo fini, I'm 5'11" and hover around 300 lbs. I find my MCS to be quite comfortable while driving. After reading up some on www.turnfast.com on seating position, I actually moved my seat up some from where I thought I should be. After adjusting and getting used to it, it feels great. One of the nice things to me is the attention to getting everything in alignment. I'd have to say it is much more comfortable than my minivan despite the smaller size b/c I am in a better position.
3rd Gear
Is there any place near you where you could rent one for a couple of days? That should be long enough to see how comfortable it is for you (and probably to get you addicted as well).

6th Gear
If they have a zip car in your area you could rent one for a few hours or just go to the nearest MINI dealer and test drive one. If there isn't a MINI dealer within a reasonable distance you could look for used MINIs on a site like autotrader and see if any used car dealers in your area have any for sale that you could go test drive.
5th Gear
To be honest - the only thing I would be concerned about would be the life of the seat - lot of stress. My brother was big and that is what he found - seats just did not last long..
2nd Gear
I'm 6' 4 3/4" and 350+. I'm long waisted, only wear 32" inseams, but all shirts have to be 'tall' and 37" sleeves.. No problem getting in/out. The seat isn't all the way back on the track, however it is reclined a bit for arm room.
2nd Gear
My son is your size and we just got back from a two day road trip; he was quite comfortable the whole time, whether passenger or driver. He wants his own Mini now!
2nd Gear
im 6foot 5, and getting in and out of the dealership car, i felt very comfortable.
keep this in mind: IF YOU LOVE THE CAR YOU LOVE THE CAR, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS OR TELLS YOU!. All my friends said i went crazy when i wanted a mini
keep this in mind: IF YOU LOVE THE CAR YOU LOVE THE CAR, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS OR TELLS YOU!. All my friends said i went crazy when i wanted a mini
6th Gear
I'm 6'2" 300+ and have no problems fitting in my 06MCS. I've had it on several long trips and felt very comfortable. You will hear a lot of...."How do you fit in that little car"? I even have to pull the seat up a couple knotchs to reach the pedals properly. Go for it, you'll love it!!
Moderator :: Performance Mods
All of my big buddies (and I am 'relatively' small at 6'0" and 240lbs) cant get over the amount of room theer is behind the wheel. None of them had any issues getting comfortable.
2nd Gear
6'4" - 235 . . . no problems . . . still an inch or so behind my seat . . . find that if the seat sits right against the rear seat - you get some "squeeks"
I love the " how does a guy your size fit in such a small car" comments.
Makes Mini owning that much more fun . . . when you can let total stangers sit in your car . . . and they say "wow".
I love the " how does a guy your size fit in such a small car" comments.
Makes Mini owning that much more fun . . . when you can let total stangers sit in your car . . . and they say "wow".
6th Gear
Quote:

To be honest with you, I'm 6' and 300 pounds and very broad. I'm constantly feeling crowded by most car interiors, but I don't really feel that way in my MINI. Two big guys in the front seats is a different story. It could get intimate.
Don't let your height decide.
Originally Posted by Fini
Someone post up that picture of Penn Jillette next to his pink MINI. If he can drive one, you can drive one! 
To be honest with you, I'm 6' and 300 pounds and very broad. I'm constantly feeling crowded by most car interiors, but I don't really feel that way in my MINI. Two big guys in the front seats is a different story. It could get intimate.
Don't let your height decide.
+1 What HE ^ said!
They are pretty roomy inside...I really need to rent one for a few days and see how I like it long term. I sat in a '66 mini yesterday and I actually FIT! Of course, to drive it I'd need to unbolt the seat and relocate it about 4" back, but it was surprising how much room it had inside.
I hear you about the Elise. i personally want to build a Cheetah kit car with a Turbocharged Cobalt 2.0 Chevy EcoTec engine in it. The engine will fit, but not sure I will...LOL
Thanks for all the great feedback guys!
I hear you about the Elise. i personally want to build a Cheetah kit car with a Turbocharged Cobalt 2.0 Chevy EcoTec engine in it. The engine will fit, but not sure I will...LOL
Thanks for all the great feedback guys!
4th Gear
My boyfriend is 6'4" and he loved driving in the MINI we test drove (unfortunately have not tested on road trips or anything longer than when we test drove....soon!!
) but he said he felt very very comfortable and loved how the seats "wrapped around him like a warm leather glove." 
) but he said he felt very very comfortable and loved how the seats "wrapped around him like a warm leather glove." 

