Howdy from Austin, TX. I just bought a new (to me) 2005 Mini ragtop. My first convertible, my first Mini. I've wanted a convertible all my life, and after driving pickup trucks for 20 years finally decided to get what I wanted and not what I thought was practical.

My ex-wife says I'm going through a midlife crissis (guilty as charged). But what the heck, I'm 48, have no kids, rarely have the need to haul passengers around, so why not be impractical for a change?

I bought a purple '05 Mini Cooper Convertible last Friday. So far I love this car. It handles great, is fun to drive top up or top down, and looks sooo cool.

One of the things I love is how incredulous my friends and family are that I fit in such a small car. No one believes it til they see it! Heck, I didn't believe it until I tried it. I'm 6' 5" and 310lbs.

As a tall guy looking for a sporty convertible that would fit me I did a lot of online research. The cars that kept coming up as suitable for tall drivers were the Mini Cooper and the VW Beetle.

Well, I tried a Beetle first because it was a bit less $$. But the bucket seats aren't designed for a guy who is as circumferentially enhanced as I am. But when I was at the used care dealership right across from the Beetle was a cute purple Mini convertible. I gave it a test drive and was sold.

The fit for a tall driver is pretty good. Of course the backseat is useless with the driver's seat all the way back on the rails.

The only thing I don't like is how close together the brake and clutch pedals are. I've got size 12 EEEE feet, so I could use a bit more space for me feet. But other than that the car is great.

Now, if only I could play my iPod through the stock stereo. I tried an FM Transmitter, but it wouldn't fit in the little cigarette lighter in the Mini. The shaft of the FM Transmitter was too deep.

The weather here is almost perfect for top down motoring... a little cold for my tastes, but nothing a bit more heater can't take care of!

My only question is why did I wait so long!

 

Congrats on the new Mini and Welcome from North Carolina.

 

Congrats on the MINI. I confess there are many days I wish I had a drop top!

 

Welcome, You'll have tons of fun in your mini convert. Minis are a great hill
country car, and you'll have millions of smiles. Good luck, happy motoring and
welcome to NAM

 

Welcome to NAM from Middle Georgia Minis!! I'm 6'2" 300+ and fit just fine and even have to pull the seat up some to reach the pedals properly. There are many times I wish I had a rag top but I'm happy with what I have. Wishing you many trouble free miles and many new adventures along the way.

 

welcome from from the left coast ! your purple is called black eyed purple or purple haze. just motor baby !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm 6'4", and I get the same comments from friends about fitting in my MINI.
I do have trouble being able to see traffic lights change without turning my head sideways. Still, my ultimate plan is to go smaller still. Perhaps a Trabant? Welcome.

 

danzbassman,

I'm assuming the bassman is for fishing rather than guitaring?

Welcome from Austin North (Madison WI). I'm 6'3" 200# and my 06 justacooper fits me fine. I share your feelings about the closeness of the clutch & brake, but you'll get used to it soon enough. Another excuse for more motoring. Let us know when you get your first wave and first mod.

Check out the audio threads for ipod options.

Keep on grinning

 

Actually its bassman as in bass geetar. I played bass in bands around Central Texas for a long time. Still play bass, but these days just for fun. Working a full time day job and gigging every weekend got to be too much. Not sure which got harder the job or the gigs. It certainly couldn't be that I got older.

I have a good friend lives up Madison way. I hear its a great place. Way too cold for my tastes.

I had my first smile this morn on the freeway. A woman in a blue Mini pulled up next to me, looked my car over and smiled at me.

So, is it my imagination or does driving one of these cars make driving to work in rush hour traffic a bit less maddening?

 

Good choice, nice fit and a great color. Yes, less maddening. I get out to drive when I want to have a zen moment or two.

Take some pictures and enjoy the MINI. We do like pictures.

 

Danxbassman,

Well, whenever I face an either or situation, I usually assume wrong. Bass guitar is great tho. I spent a summer in Austin a few years ago. My Chuyies T-Shirt with the tropical fish in sunglasses is a bit worse for wear, but still brings back a lot good memories, like the late hours spent staggering on Congress Avenue & making pit stops along 5th & 6th. Much good live music there! You won't have any trouble parking the purple beast there. Put the top up near the bat caves tho...

 

Fun roads out by Texas Hill Country, careful not to get tickets they (troopers)hang out at the bottom of the hills.

As for iPod issue, just buy an aux adaptor for like $39 from dealer or NAM vendor. Or you can get iPod adaptor for a bit more, but it charges ipod as well and see display and control.