So I'm curious...
Been lurking in the shadows here for a while now...contemplating a justa' some time in '09. Does the smallness of Coopers (non-S/S/Cabrio) ever get to you folks? I've mostly driven small cars in the past (Ford Fiesta[argh!], Toyota Corolla) and I'm kinda' use to it, but I wonder if the feel of the interior in a MINI will get a bit "tight" to me after years of ownership. At this point, its close quarters are akin to being in a space capsule (that's cool, I suppose) but don't know if that novel sense will wear off in time.

Your thoughts?

 

If you plan on having a family in the next few years, it might affect you. If you are by yourself, there's plenty of room in there for you.

 

I've owned both a Chevy Sprint (Oh my God! I can't believe I have said this on the internet.)
and a Toyota Corolla SR-5 and the MINI is much bigger than both.

If you're planning on having a family... Don't! MINI's are a lot more fun than changing diapers.

 

The exterior dimensions of the MINI are just about perfect, I feel really comfortable with that. There's a lot of space upfront in the cabin, it never feels cramped to me. Some people complain there's not a lot of shoulder room up front, it never usually bothers me.

 

Now I am a girl so I may be smaller than you guys, but I find my Cooper very comfortable. There's plenty of head room, and I have never felt cramped. Now my almost 6 foot tall younger brother gets a little cramped in the backseat-but oh well

 

For two adults it's plenty of room ...........more than two

 

I'm 6'7", 280. Plenty of room, and more than enough headroom for the helmet on autox days.

 

If you want to test the room inside, take all your usual trip gear down to the dealer and ask if you can try to stuff it all inside. If it means a potential sale, they'll let you.

 

Thanks for the feedback so far...I'm not starting a new family now, just need it for daily commuting. Main thing is I wanted to hear from the veteran owners to make sure the cabin pressure isn't too much in the long run.

 

You won't be disappointed...these 'little' cars can pack a bunch of stuff. Hubby and I commute in Molly 40 Miles Round Trip 5 Days a week. We also did a 2.5Hr. Drive to Black Butte Ranch, OR for a Co. Golf Tournament and had a blast, even with all the gear and car detailing stuff I packed we had a ball and are planning a long road trip next year to Yellowstone...CAN'T WAIT!!! See pics. in Gallery of Molly packed for Black Butte!!

 

I only commute, but I've taken a few long trips. I usually travel light, only one small 'carry on' size bag and not much else.

 

The only space issue is for anyone who wants to sit in the back seat for any length of time. If it's just you and a front-seat passenger, there's plenty of room and I can't imagine anyone who's used to small cars would *ever* feel cramped

I'm single and this is my only car; I've had it just over a year and am usually by myself, and it's cozy but adequately spacious. The only time I wished for a little more interior room was on a 1.5 week camping trip with a buddy, when we had the entire boot & rear seat area JAMMED with tent & camping equipment, luggage, etc - but even then, the front seating area itself was comfortable.

 

Although it's not great for passenger carrying (beyond two people) I've impressed a lot of people with what I've been able to stuff in the boot. I've carried two military foot lockers with a pair of duffle bags and still had room left over. More recently I bought a 5-drawer dresser from a furniture store that was going out of business, the lady asked if I wanted delivery and I told her just take it out to my car. When she saw the MINI she asked me if I'm sure I didn't want delivery, the drawers fit perfectly in the boost and she was pretty impressed by the size. For a single person or a couple, it's exactly the right size car.

 

I drove a Mini for a couple of days (loaner car when my BMW was in the shop) and liked it, but ultimately bought a Clubman. The suicide door access and extra 3" in the back seat was one of the deciders.

When you look through the rear-view mirror and out the barn doors, the car really seems large. There has also been some subjective statements from the auto press, that they think the extra wheelbase of the Clubman, allows for a smoother and more stable ride.

On a more narcissistic basis, I like driving a car that is not very common. While everyone I come across is fond of the Mini Cooper (I bumped into a 70ish year old guy at the car wash recently who was driving a brand new Vette, and he was fascinated by my car), surprisingly few people know about the Clubman or have seen one up close. Universally once they examine my Clubby, they agree it is a more logical purchase, due to the extra room and convenient access.

Test drive a Clubman, before you make your buying decision.

 

We kind of did that the other way around. We go the MINI and then wondered how we could go on trips with it. So we found a set of luggage which fit in the boot (with rear seats up) and which could carry enough for our needs. We had to slim down our luggage slightly to fit. One suit bag and one carry on size rolly bag works for us.

 

On a couple of occasions, yes, I have turned a little green when my friends can throw snowboards, bikes, and three passengers in their compact SUVs. But other than that, no. And I plan on getting the roof rack, which should remedy that.

Heck, I wanted a Subaru or Volvo station wagon (always have)--but when it came down to it, it didn't make sense to purchase a car of that size (with the (lack of) fuel economy that comes along) for a vehicle that would hold, 75% of the time, 2 people and 2 backpacks.

 

If you are asking this question you've never sat in a MINI. My wife and I spent 14 hours in my MINI over 2 days in November and it was amazing.

 

i think of it as a 2 seater personally, but i dont like trying to have people climb in the back. From what i hear the clubman is great for 4. And, as far as a 2 seater goes.. there is TONS of room to throw stuff in the back seats/hatch and also stretch out and enjoy the ride.

Lots of the cars I get in these days seem tiny in comparison inside, due to the windshield rake... The mini seems a lot larger,plus you sit so low headroom isnt an issue... im 6'1

 

I don't think the sense "smallness" is measured by leg room (MINI has plenty) or how much you can pack into it (you cant get much in a Corvette but it's a bigger car), but if the car simply feels big or small after you've been in it a while. I've driven MINIs for about 5 years now ('04 S Coupe and now '05 S Cabrio) and I can say when driving the MINI I have never felt like I'm driving a small car - I've never felt confined or claustrophobic. I think you'll be fine as far as "cabin pressure" goes.

 

the front seating is plenty roomy...the back, well, roomy except for legroom....as to luggage in the boot, my wife uses a typical small size suitcase and I use a smallish dufflebag that sits vertically next to the suitcase in the boot rear seats up, which is good enough for most 1 or 2 night trips

what year Fiesta did you own?? I had a 1978 Fiesta back in '78 and loved it and got rid of it at 130,000 mi

 

I love, really seriously love sitting in and driving my MINI - short or long trips. I never feel claustrophobic. The headroom is more than adequate, and I never feel squished. In fact, I like my car's sense of purposeful closeness.

 

I am 6'2" and weigh close to 300 pounds. I am very comfortable in my MINI. I also have a 1994 Acura Integra 2dr hatchback as a spare car. There is definitely more room in the MINI than the Integra.

 

No, it will not. In fact, it's likely you will remain utterly amazed that a car that looks so small from the outside can be so roomy and comfy on the inside.

 

i always say it's deceptively spacey. i'm not super tall or anything but my 6'4 300 something pound dad fits comfortable in the passenger seat. i don't think the back seat would be comfortable for a long trip but the seats are really deep so i think that helps with carting passengers around. i think the open feel of the interior makes it feel larger, but i also think it is rather large!

 

It is all about packing intelligently. I was able to use my MINI to move out of my dorm for winter break without issue. Items included: Mid tower desktop, 19in LCD, 2 very large computer speakers, a very large computer sub, enough clothes to last about 2 months, a toolbox, a dremel (in a case), cordless screwdriver (in a case), large camera tripod, DSLR (with camera bag), a motorcycle helmet and a friends overnight bag and backpack which meant I couldnt throw crap in the front seat (becasue she was there). Despit having all of that stuff in there I still had room to spare although it would have meant stacking stuff.