we are a family of 4 and frequently take one of the Minis. We both drive one and the only issue is birthdays etc trying to bring presents home with all 4 of us!

 

Plan a REALLY ncie day, not "just" a driveabout, and see how it goes! Oh - a tip: Do NOT test the handling prowess of the car with the rest of your family in it... the "thrill ride" may not be quie what they expect.

DO, however, tell them to watch out for waves, kids pointing and saying "cool", and to wipe their feet before they get back in. The main point of the day should be fun, not car.

 

We have a 6 year old and a 20 month old, and we have two MINIs as our only cars. It is great. My wife has steadily moved from a Jeep Liberty to an Audi A3 to the MINI.

We managed our summer vacation from Wisconsin to Florida and then the Carolinas (my wife and kids were travelling for 5 straight weeks!) in the MINI with no issues. It is all about what you REALLY need to take with you on vacation.

We're probably going to put a hitch on her car this fall so that we can transport Christmas presents (looking at a Christmas-time drive to Florida again!)

People seem to think they need to take a million things with them on trips, and that kids need a ton of room (which doesn't make sense as they are strapped in the whole time anyway...)

I see no reason at all why a family would need TWO large vehicles.

 

I'm not sure how ANYONE with a pant inseam of more than 30 inches can seat anyone behind them other than an infant in a child safety seat.

I have a 32" inseam and my driver's seat is so far back that it's only an inch from the back seat. Granted, I could scoot it up maybe three inches and not develop severe cramps when driving. But enough to allow someone to sit behind me ? No way.

Not a problem for us with just three in the family but I can't imagine a family of four in a MINI unless one is a baby or the driver has stubby legs.

 

Weird. We took the MINI to the Rush concert last night, four adults, me driving (5'9" w/ 32" inseam) my 5'6" wife behind me, my buddy Brad (5'11") in the passenger seat and his 5'5" wife behind him. No troubles at all. I actually could have gone further forward and been comfortable, but didn't need to.

I take 3 guys all around 5'9 - 6' to lunch once a week or so.

 

 

Biggest thing I have found is that the seats are cuped to add room and if you jack the seat up off the floor it allows the person behind you to put there feet under the seat or they will for sure develop pigeon toe!

 

Just have three of us - Me 5'10, wife 5'4, and a very long legged four year old. Don't usually have a problem even with the kiddo's massive amount of stuff. Biggest problem I have is convincing folks that it really is comfortable and that we can take my car places :(

 

At 5' 10" and a 32" inseam I used to put the seat further back, but after a coupla track events (drivers ed, not racing) I'm running with it closer to the wheel for better leverage and handling... took a little getting used to but it works better all around. Consider a change and you'll end up with more rear seat room! I still have to put the seat up a couple notches with a rear seat passenger though.

With a hitch and my little trailer I can carry more than most SUVs, albeit with a little less rear seat room. Unlike them, however, I can jettison the extra weight and space and go Motoring.

And if I have a REALLY big load, out come the roof boxes and the Mini Support Vehicle (and, occasionally, the snow tires - here's a pic of the ensemble on a charity trip to Appalachia...)

 

Well as soon as the kids don't fit, there is always public transport for them! (kidding)

 

Thanks everyone.
Some excellent advice. I test drove my mates MCS and took the wife & kids. A new stroller will be needed for sure. The 10 month old will have to be 12 months before anything can happen as a rear facing seat and base gave the wife, white knuckles and dented knees from the dash. Personally I loved it, as did my 4 year old. The wife was altogether a different kettle of fish!! That is not to say the project "Get a Min" is dead in the water, it will just take another cpl of months and a fresh round of gas price increases and i'll be happily motoring.
Again thanks to all. I'll be keeping an eye on the marketplace over the next few months and hoping for something to come to fruition.

Trev