I just found out I am going to be a Dad for the first time, so the Boxster has to go for a more family friendly vehicle (anyone want to buy a Boxster S?).

Mini's are way up on the short list of replacements. I test drove the JCW Clubman and an MCS last week and was SUPER impressed with the drive. I am not wild about some aspects of the car, but I find that is true of all cars I look at.

Anyways, wanted to say hello. I am sure I will have a ton of questions about options for the car. I like to autocross and DE, so the questions will point toward the best setup for suspension etc.

 

Welcome to NAM!

I have long been a fan of the porsche. I haven't owned one, but I have gone and looked at them several times and as a mother of two teenagers, I just can't justify the expense for a car that won't get me everywhere I need to go with them in it. So it's not the sort of thing that makes sense for me, but still... I dream. I've wanted a 911 carrera ever since I first laid eyes on one on the road and I'm sure I will get to it someday, it's just that the timing isn't right yet.

I was playing around with the porsche configurator yesterday with my husband as a matter of fact and some of the features on these cars... are things that I could see myself not wanting to live without. Unfortunately, I have also not seen them on many other cars. I'm sure this one is available elsewhere, but man does that heated steering wheel look nice right about now...

But to get back to my point, I am not sure that anything will be quite the same, even though you could buy something similar. It's really that there is something about a porsche. It carries some undefinable quality with it that you can't explain, except to other people who love them.

The same is true for the MINI I think. I have never loved a car like this and no one understands why I love my car, until they've driven it.

Since I don't let anyone but my husband drive my car, they tend to linger on in ignorance around me.

Congrats on the new baby, and giving up your porsche for a new munchkin is a very brave, very responsible thing to do. You're gonna make a great dad!

 

boxtomini,

There is a section for performance driving if you scroll all the way down to the bottom of forums. Lots of information there regarding DE and autoX. Mini is a great car especially for AutoX.

 

It's a really fun car to drive. Most fun car I've ever driven, in fact. But having a child is honestly difficult with a MINI.

Not impossible, mind you, but right now, my 2.5 year-old boy, dressed in his full winter garb, (gigantic puffy jacket, snow pants and boots), it is really tough to squeeze him and myself back there to buckle him into his car seat.

I hope you have a flexible and strong back, because you'll be twisting like a contortionist!

 

Thank you for the quick replies! I appreciate it.

Random - when you get your 911 you will love it. Porsche's are special. But reading the forums here, people seem just as passionate about their Mini's!

Slinger - thanks for the heads up! I posted a question about options in the general discussion area of the peformance section.

Jonnie - No snow suits necessary here in Ft. Lauderdale (thankfully!). I know it is not the ideal car for a kid, but the wife will be driving the chipmunk around most of the time. I just didn't want to do it in the Boxster those times I will be doing the driving. I think the Mini will be safer and certainly have more space for all the stuff that comes along with kids. I also test drove the JCW Clubman and that third door sure was handy.

 

Welcome to NAM!

 

I tote my 11 year old daughter around in the front passenger seat with my 7 year old son seated behind her. There is plenty of room.

Now, if my wife wants to come with us, we can have my daughter sit behind my wife in the passenger seat and have my son sit crosslegged behind me, so we usually just hop in our X3 for the family trips.

If your wife has a "family" vehicle, the Mini will be perfect for you and your child. I've taken both kids out to their football, baseball and softball practices with both of their gear without any problems.

Congrats on the new child!

 

Once in a while, I find the trunk a little small when I am carrying passengers and stuff. You just cannot make it any larger when you need it. The split fold down seats does help.

Also,make sure the rear seat space is good enough for you. The rear leg room while OK, can be kind of tight. If it is, maybe the clubman can work better for you. The JCW Clubman you mentioned can be a little pricey with the options.

I have a Porsche Cayenne that is a family SUV with the Mini more an errands and a periodic track car.

But I think it is possible for a small family to have a single family car which is a Mini.

 

boxtomini,

I retired my 911 to weekend status after 87,000 beautiful miles. I bought 09 MCS as a commuter and I am thoroughly impressed with this little vehicle. While there... ehem... really is no substitute for Porsche, MCS is proving to be quite sporting. I purposely did not go with sport suspension nor 17" wheels for better comfort for most of the commute driving, but I find Mini chasis & driving dynamics to be quite predictable & neutral at speed. Coming from Porsche, torque steer initially was quite alarming, but after 2200 miles, I find myself having fun with my TS. I "know" when TS will come & relaxing throttle & firming steering "just bit" as TS start have become almost involuntary. And TS just became a "character" of the car.

I am also enjoying 30-31 combined MPG while pushing this torquey little engine between shifts.

If 911 stirs dark side of my automotive soul, MCS brings bright smile to my entire day Who knew a car can do such a thing ??