I'm going from a Buick Rendezvous to a Mini cooper s. I'm thinking the transition is going to be kind of hard. Not only am I going to be MUCH closer to the ground, but I will lose a lot of room.

How hard is the change?

 

Not that hard - just takes adjusting . I went from an Explorer to my MCS . You may want to brush up on your packing skills . MINIS hold more than you think with a little planning .

 

I got my wife an 08 MC and down sized from her Santa Fe for a daily driver. She has had nothing but fun since the change and think it would be hard for her to go back to another SUV even if it was a small one. I have an Explorer I drive for work and she wont even drive it any more. When I am not working I am usually found driving my 06 MC and the Explorer gets to rest a while.
Needless to say it does take an adjustment but that usually doesn't take long. Good Luck!

 

i had a lowered explorer on rims, exhaust, system, blah balhb ablh that i got abso-fin-lutely sick of after 5 years lol, i would have traded in sooner but was only a teenager needed time to gather the funds...sold the car privately a week after i bought my mini and have never been happier

 

I Went from an F150 lightning to the MINI. At first it was weird not being able to intimidate other slower traffic out of the way
Then i learned its much funner to zip around them

 

Some folks, combined with being lower, feel like folks are pulling up on their rear bumper at traffic lights. They're not necessarily...there's just less car back there.

I think anyone who drives a small car has to develop more defensive instincts for driving. Stay out of blind spots and use all available signals to be sure people can see you.

 

Thats a very good point and I had to go over that with my wife when she got hers along with how to park in a head in parking space and so forth...it comes natural to her now but I had my fears at first.

 

I went from a Toyota 4Runner to a MCS. I'm adjusting since I can't run over curbs or pack in a ton of things....but...saving gas and the MCS being soooo fun to drive, I think it's a great trade-off.

 

Aside from getting more efficient at packing--and removing items from boxes to get more space--you can add a roof rack to carry lumber or bicycles or a cargo box, a cargo carrier off the back end for even more cargo or even tow a small trailer.

I've got all 3, and the trailer is my least favorite add-on.

Our "other" car is a Nissan Murano, but the MINI gets driven the most.

As far as driving is concerned, enroll in some driving control clinics through the local BMWCCA chapter. Feeling safe by learning how to avoid an accident in a MINI as opposed to feeling secure inside of a big box (which isn't any safer) is the key. In an SUV, you worry about flipping it so you avoid evasive maneuvers and drive differently in traffic to avoid such situations.

 

6 years ago I went from a full size 2001 Chevy Impala LS sedan to a MINI. Never looked back ever again!

4 MINIs later, I have a '05 R53 S and a 2008 R55 Clubman S. If you need a little more space out in the back and still retain all the fun traits of a MINI, the Clubman can't be beat!

 

In March of 02, I went from an 2001 Isuzu Rodeo to a 2002 MINI. Lost a couple grand on the SUV when I got rid of it but after I drove the MINI I fell in love.

If I need a truck, I'll rent one but haven't ever had to.

 

Exactly, whenever you need a truck, just rent one or borrow it from a friend. Never base a car purchase on infrequent needs.

 

I'm not really worried about cargo room.. in fact, I'll be glad to not be everyone's ride anymore! There is a sense of security in a big vehicle with a lot of room though. That was a worry of mine. I have driven a mini before and absolutely loved it! One quick test drive is different then making it my everyday driver though.

Well one thing's for sure.... all of you have made me more impatient! Sucks I have to wait until this weekend to order!

 

I switched from daily driving a full size extended cap truck to the MINI. It may be just my perception, but it feels like I can not see out as well. The windshield is smaller and the rearview mirror takes up a good portion of that. I don't think it is anything that I won't get used to. It is just what I have noted so far. I've gone shopping with it and was able to easly carry my usual haul.

 

I'd say it's really not a hard transition.

I've kept my '01 F150 Supercrew 4x4 for the rough driving and hauling/towing I have to do sometimes (and husband uses it to haul his bike so he doesn't scratch his pretty BMer), even though I'm on my second MCS -- the truck is paid for already! Aside from having to climb UP into the cab vs. slide DOWN into the sport seat, there's not much difference. Gokartride is right -- it feels like folks are tailgating more sometimes, but it's mostly because a.) THEY ARE! and b.) there's less car back there. And it's harder to intimidate the road hogs, but more fun to outstrip them. Just watch the blind spots and always be more aware of everyone around than they are of you -- seems Mini drivers are usually the ones to pay attention more.

I'm not sure why, but it always seemed to me (as a truck owner for many years now) that people are the rudest when you're trying to back out or pull into a parking space with a big vehicle. With the MCS, they can't always see me around the other parked cars. So one habit I"ve kept from SUV to MCS is to back into all parking spaces -- or "combat parking!" Makes for a flashy and quick getaway!

Good luck waiting for your Mini! Hope the wait's not too painful!

 

I went from a Lexus GX-470 to an '05 MCS 3 weeks ago. It was hard adjusting to the harsher ride, but it has been so much more fun to drive. I'm trading out the run flats today, hope to see some results.

 

I went from a Land Rover Discovery, To the mini ... Boy I miss 9MPG and $100+ fillups ... JUST KIDDING

 

From a Santa Fe to a JustaCooper, both daily drivers. No regrets.

The biggest transition for me was getting used to the responsiveness in quick maneuvers (e.g., avoiding potholes, etc.). With the SUV, I was cautious about the top-heaviness while making a large enough move; with the MINI, I'm equally cautious, but it's about not snapping it over into the adjacent lane and then over-correcting.

One other thing--I had no particularly unique affinity for the SUV, yet I love my MINI just as much as the day it was purchased. I never knew I was so OCD. It's easily the most pampered vehicle I've ever owned.

 

Still drive my Jeep Grand Cherokee (5.2L V8) for home center runs -- can't carry sheets of ply, drywall, etc. in the mini! (Although I did see a guy over the weekend loading an incredible amount of stuff into his mini -- a convertible with the top down.)

Ground clearance is an issue, and suspension differences -- in the Jeep I don't tend to slow down for speed bumps or curbs.

Of course in the Jeep I can't corner as well as in the Mini.

In the Mini, a squealing tire is a happy tire. In the Jeep, squealing tires means you're about to flip over...

Funny thing -- even though the Mini is a lot smaller than the Jeep, I tend to look for bigger parking spaces for it...

 

Couldn't decide, so I have my Land Crusher and a Mini :-)

 

In 02' when we got our first MINI, the hubby went from a full size Dodge RAM pick up - to the MINI. It did take a bit of getting used to - but we've never looked back since.

Donna

 

We were a 2 SUV Family, now down to one. No reason to keep it either, but like our '99 Blazer it will almost impossible to sell at this point, keeping '01 Dodge Durango. The adjustment for me was nill, for my husband it was more of him worried that he would do something to Molly and I'd get mad!!

 

I still have the husband's Nissan Titan and Suburban, plus my 330Ci. I use the truck for bad weather driving (no hail damage for my Clubby!) and for shopping. The Suburban is totally for Rich's transportation with his wheelchair.
He can't drive any more, but the truck is handy for carrying manure/dirt for my garden and trash to the shop dumpster.
The hardest part for me is the difference in handling. It feels like I'm driving a slug with the other cars (except the BMW); the steering, braking, handling is so sluggish and cumbersome. I swear you can just hear the gas rushing into the engine $$$$$$!
The Clubman is like an extension of my soul in driving, just the absolute best driving and handling experience ever. I will never live without a MINI after this.

 

I went from an '06 Honda Pilot 4x4 to a MCSC.

It was definitely an adjustment....but it's offset by the perma-grin.


Adjustments:

Grocery shopping - I've transitioned to having groceries delivered. www.vons.com is my friend. Sure, you can pack a MINI with groceries, but why...when you can have them delivered to your doorstep and avoid the dreaded grocery store parking lots and door dings!

Traveling - I tend to pack more conservatively; leaving the kitchen sink at home where it belongs.

No more helping friends move - sorry, I don't have an SUV anymore.


Seriously though, probably the biggest adjustment for me was how close the cars behind me seem to get. I doubt all SoCal drivers became less-skilled the day I bought my MINI - so I've concluded that my panic is the result of previously having an entire SUV between me and the guy behind me, as opposed to looking in the rearview mirror of my MCSC and being able to read the VIN in the engine bay of the vehicle behind me.

It is quite alarming sometimes....looking up, see them approaching fast, praying they are going to stop, and then thinking "holy hell....MUST you get THAT close to my back end".

I wouldn't go back to an SUV for anything. I drove them for 15 years....getting a new one every 2 years. No thanks. I love my MINI and I have never enjoyed motoring more than I do now.

 

I went from a Z71 Tahoe to my MCSc.

I do miss the Tahoe because it was a go anywhere carry anything beast. When the wife decides to buy furniture you can just load it in without having to wait for it to be delivered. Over a ton of landscaping supplies needed no problem, one trip. With a brush guard on the front no one cuts you off.

The Mini is just FUN. Quick and nimble in traffic or around the track. Even better with the top down. No having to help everyone move.