the Mini as family car

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Jul 7, 2006 | 09:02 AM

neffi

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Neutral

Joined: Jul 2006

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the Mini as family car

Hi all,

a potential new Mini owner here in L.A., on the verge of buying a gently used 2002. We are finally selling our 65 Falcon Ranchero and 62 Rambler wagon to get a newer car since we have a new addition to the family, our 16 month old daughter. Ironically, some of the private party minis we have checked out are from reluctant sellers who are expecting a new baby (they feel obligated in getting a larger, "safer" and 4-door car). Anybody out there driving with their babies in their Minis? Personally, i am not fearful of the diminutive size of this cool vehicle (understand too that i was a die-hard Renault 5 -a.k.a. "Le Car" driver for many years). Families in Europe have been driving their kids and grandmas in very small cars for decades, and continue to do so. Any thoughts out there? Does anybody have personal experience with harnessing the toddler seat in the back, oh and disengaging one or more airbags accordingly?? please advise, thanks! we are looking forward to possibly driving the ONLY WELL DESIGNED new car on the road in 4 decades!!

Jul 7, 2006 | 11:29 AM

Squirlz

6th Gear

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 1,943

Likes: 3

From: Okemos, Michigan

Sorry, I have no experience with kids, but how much for the Ranch-a-roo?

Jul 7, 2006 | 11:32 AM

gokartride

6th Gear

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 38,578

Likes: 2

Just as encouragement...yes, there are folks here w/ kids and they've got the whole thing figured out!!! My kids are older....and yes, the back seat really works!!!

Jul 7, 2006 | 11:35 AM

bumble's angel

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 3,961

Likes: 1

From: Middle of Texas

Hello, the wife and I have three kids, and we never think twice about, putting the kids in the car. And after having been in an accident in a MINI I would say that it is plenty safe for anyone and everyone.

Here is the link to the thread from the accident. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ghlight=bumble

Jul 7, 2006 | 11:36 AM

Yucca Patrol

Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 10,170

Likes: 2

From: Burning-Ham Alabama

Yes, search for car seat threads here. Some people here can share some great tips for motoring with the family in a MINI.

You've got a great attitude and you'll do great in a MINI since you don't expect it to be a Suburban.

I know there are particular strollers and such that fit perfectly in the boot but those with kids will chime in and tell you all about it.

Jul 7, 2006 | 11:38 AM

DrDiff

Coordinator :: Northwest Indiana MINIacs

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 2,412

Likes: 0

From: Valparaiso, IN

We regularly put KidDiff1 (5 years) and KidDiff2 (3) years in the back of MIB. As they are getting older and need less stuff, I can see us taking it on trips more often. Our other car is a '93 Dodge Caravan. KidDiff2 loves MIB. Every time we take a corner, we hear "Weee" from the back seat. KidDiff1 likes MIB but we would take him for drives to get him to go to sleep and even to this day anything longer than 15 minutes will make him sleep. We have even taken the boys on a 3 day weekend to MrsDiff's parents.

Jul 7, 2006 | 11:58 AM

tubwreck

2nd Gear

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 106

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From: Boston

Make sure you're comfortable getting your child in and out of the child seat in the back. If she's too young/noncompliant to climb in and out the child seat herself, hoisting a squirming sixteen month past the front seat, into a child seat, then reaching back to get the straps fixed, can be a pain. Likewise, dealing with an infant in a "bucket" child seat is no fun at all.

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Jul 7, 2006 | 12:08 PM

Greg S

3rd Gear

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 249

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From: Valenica, CA

There shudl be no problem with it. We actualy took the kids with us when we went looking and put them and the child seats in the back and both my wife and I in the front and we all fit fine. A little tight but I'm 6'3" and she's 5'9" so we do take up some room, even so I can't drive with the seat all the way back it's too far from the pedals. And just for practice I've been driving a 91 Civic HB for the past 2 weeks while we wait for our Mini to be shipped over, so the kid's are getting a lot of practice getting in and out of a two door car.

Jul 7, 2006 | 12:10 PM

Yucca Patrol

Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 10,170

Likes: 2

From: Burning-Ham Alabama

Yes, it will take more time to get the kids in, but you'll save time since you won't take forever making 37 point turns in parking lots or trying to fit that H2 into a parking space.

Jul 7, 2006 | 12:32 PM

#10

acitydweller

6th Gear

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 1,310

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From: New York City

Just for some insight... There are more sensible (yet smaller) cars in europe with better fuel economy. The culture is drastically differnt here. Rarely anyone owns their cars for a decade or longer.

With regards to safety, youre probably safer driving there as the road manners are different and there are speed cameras around (particuarly in the uk). The problem here is th sea of SUVs and undisciplined drivers on the road shared by you and your family. I am hopeful that the rising fuel prices will drastically affect these SUVs and really force americans to wise up and see themselves as how the rest of the world does.

This is really not a gripe post but merely pointing out that its really a different culture here. I would consider getting a minivan if my wife and I consider children because its safer and more convenient and we have huge wide roads here. No need for skills or sensibility to drive in america. just a drivers license.

If i were in Neffi's situation, i would seriously consider a Honda Accord. Its quiet, stable, fuel economical, has a stellar resale value, and a benchmark for reliability. The interior dash is shared with the Acura TSX (Honda Accord in europe). There's tons of accessories and its able to go anywhere with its front wheel drive. 2006 introduces a manual 6 speed transmission. that is a car i would consider driving several decades.

Jul 7, 2006 | 01:15 PM

#11

JCWMiniS

2nd Gear

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 83

Likes: 0

From: Northern Virginia, USA

Babies in Minis

I would think it would be really hard to get kids in and out of the back seats. It is kind of tight. However, they are made for baby seats in the back

I guess it depends on how big the kids are

Jul 7, 2006 | 01:30 PM

#12

05DSMCS

4th Gear

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 486

Likes: 14

From: Riverton, UT / Orlando, FL

If you have a seat that you can keep in the back of the MINI, it's not bad at all. I have three kids, which I can't all haul at once since I don't have a gen 2 airbag, but the car has plenty of space for them in the back. It is a little bit of a twist to get the kid in, but the tradeoff of being able to drive the MINI rather than a minivan is more than worth it.

As for safety, mass rules in a really bad accident, but overall I think the MINI is an exceptionally safe vehicle, especially when you take into consideration the accident avoidance ability factor.

Jul 7, 2006 | 01:30 PM

#13

gokartride

6th Gear

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 38,578

Likes: 2

I've said this before elsewhere....but I think if you, as a parent, get great joy out of motoring in a MINI, do it...and take the kids along for the ride. Little kids really get into MINIs for some reason and someday the memories they collect of little motoring adventures w/ their parents will be absolutely priceless to them. Safety, yes...reliability, yes....but if you can work into the equation some real family fun then it's worth a little inconvenience. My opinion (I have four adults "kids").

Jul 7, 2006 | 01:44 PM

#14

nelson

1st Gear

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 12

Likes: 0

From: Brooksville, Florida

I drive everyday with my 4 year old daughter in the back. No problem fitting here. Of course she is at an easy age where I only have to move the front seat up and she can get in and buckle up herself. Althought I dont think it would be to much trouble if I had to reach back in and help.

I say go for it! Having just recently gotten a 2002 used myself I can say they are a blast to drive.

Jul 7, 2006 | 01:46 PM

#15

Gromit801

6th Gear

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 11,600

Likes: 1

From: West French Camp, CA

Check out the latest issue of MC2 Magazine. The author of the AMVIV article went there with wife and 18 month old daughter in the Mini.

Also check out this thread of a crash comparison between a Mini and a Ford F-150. Your friends who are thinking of selling their Mini should think twice.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=20500

Jul 7, 2006 | 02:40 PM

#16

mr_edly

3rd Gear

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 290

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From: Madison, WI

Jul 7, 2006 | 07:44 PM

#17

dix

6th Gear

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 1,146

Likes: 0

From: show me state

Quote:

Originally Posted by neffi

Hi, I drive my 2002 Mini with my 6 month old grandson with no worries for most part. I just don't like when big trucks pull up behind me at stop lights with all of 1 inch to spare between bumpers. It's also a bit tight getting him into his rear facing baby seat. When he's a bit older and can sit in a front facing baby seat...it will certainly help my back out a LOT! He really seems to like looking out of all of the windows and rear sunroof.

Jul 8, 2006 | 07:53 AM

#18

Greg S

3rd Gear

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 249

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From: Valenica, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by acitydweller

If i were in Neffi's situation, i would seriously consider a Honda Accord. Its quiet, stable, fuel economical, has a stellar resale value, and a benchmark for reliability. The interior dash is shared with the Acura TSX (Honda Accord in europe). There's tons of accessories and its able to go anywhere with its front wheel drive. 2006 introduces a manual 6 speed transmission. that is a car i would consider driving several decades.

No you have to do both, but I'm biased as we traded the Izusu Rodeo in earlier this year for an 06 Accord LX-SE. Didn't see the need for the V6 6 speed as there wasn't a great difference feel wise between the two and the 2.4 has plenty of power. Now we're just waiting on the MINI to be shipped over to replace the Protege5 wagon we sold.

Jul 9, 2006 | 09:07 PM

#19

neffi

Thread Starter

Neutral

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

thank you very much everybody for your helpful posts and links - plenty of info out there, it's nice to know. oh, and sorry - i posted this question 2x - whoops, didn't know my first post actually made it...
y'all are kind.
-Neffi