I had about a 1978 model which I loved (but wrecked on ice in Dallas). Later got a bumble bee yellow ~ '82 or so which was also very cool to me (at first). Drove it until the wheels fell off (nearly). Not sure of the mileage of either when I gave 'em up. I think the guy who bought the second one from me was shipping it south to someone in Mexico.

[maybe those encounters were a 'rite of passage' into MINI-dom!]

 

The Mini has never felt small to me inside while I'm driving, and I'm not a small guy at 6'1" and 235 lbs. In fact, if it is just me or me and the wife, it has as much room or more available up front of any of the cars we own. Now my Miata is cramped inside, and a snug fit, but not the Mini. Since our Subaru was taken off the road for a month or two thanks to a collision with a deer, our Mini is even functioning as our family car for a couple of months. Our two children are 4 and 6 years old, and I've got to move my set up a bit, but I'm still comfortable, and we've taken trips as long as 6 hours away with the four of us and all of our gear for a long weekend in the car, and it a little tight, but still comfortable.

 

I'm a girl and I'm short (5'4"), but I have had taller chick friends and guy friends in it and they all say how surprised they are that there's so much room.

The front of the cabin is actually very roomy. I drive ~50 miles round-trip commute 4 days a week and I'm always very comfortable.

I drove solo from Oakland to Hollywood and I had no issues. I packed my laptop, large duffle bag, grocery bag and camera bag in the boot without folding the rear seats forward.

When in Hollywood, I drove around with two friends, with one in the back. She said it was comfortable. She's about 5'7".

Bottom line, I wouldn't worry. If your friends don't like it, they can drive!


P.S. My chihuahua likes to ride on the rear seats when they're folded over. He has easier access to the windows that way. Of course, if it's cold, he likes the passenger seat with the butt warmers.