I test drove And fitted my daughters car seat in a Mini last week and decided it was just too tight. So, I've started looking at other cars. My problem is I want a Mini S Hardtop and anything else including a Clubman will just be settling for something I don't really want. This weekend I drove a VW Jetta GLI, a Passat, an Audi A3, a VW GTI and a Clubman. I liked every one of the cars but none of them got my juices flowing like the Mini. I gotta figure out a way to make it work. It isn't our primamry mode of transportation but most of the time that I drive it, I will have my wife and 2 daughters with me. If I put my seat back where I'm comfortable, my daughter looks too cramped in her car seat and I don't think my 13 y/o could even sit behind me. I live on an island and the longest distance we would ever travel would be a maximum of 100 miles round trip. I guess my biggest concern is am I putting my daughter at risk with her legs curled up in the event of an accident? Ahhh what do I do??? Sorry everbody, I'm just venting. I guess I just hate it when I don't get my way. Somebody call Whine-1-1, I think I need a waaaaambulance.

 

It's bad enough when your spouse makes you buy clothes you don't like but buying a car that you don't really want...especially when you know the one that's going to get the juices going...is criminal! I'm 5'11", 175#, and sit with the seat-bottom 1-notch from the back. Now, I'm also 44 y/o so I don't lay down to drive like the younger generation does.

That said, I've had two adults in my MCS and there's plenty of room in the passenger front seat to scoot the seat up enough to provide ample leg room in the back seat. I don't think I could however fit more than a child-seat behind me. Good Luck!!! Keep us posted...hopefully we'll be welcoming you to the MINI family very soon.

 

It helps to take your shoes off...gives you another inch or so! And practice counting to ten when they start kicking the back of your seat.

 

Yea, I'm 40 too and not big on the gangsta lean. I used to have the seat laid back when my belly required me to do so but now I can sit more upright.
Daeus, wont have to worry about her kicking, she cant bend her legs far enough to get them wound up to kick.

 

If you can wait a bit longer, give a look at a Mini Countryman once they are available. Maybe that may speak to you more than the Clubman did.

 

I don't feel or see that much difference in the Hardtop and the Clubman. Maybe you should take another test drive.

 

I bought my MINI last year and worried about the same issues. My 12 year old daughter who is tall for her age sits right behind me when we drive. I have to move my seat up one notch which is no big deal for me. My son on the other hand is six and is still in a booster seat. His calves hit the seat just right so is legs stick out at an angle. We have to move my wifes seat up almost all the way to make it comfortable for him. I can't wait until he grows just a little taller so he will fit better. The MINI is my daily driver so we don't go on really long road trips or anything. The great thing is both kids love to ride in this car. Whenever we ask which car they want to take they both yell "The MINI!"

 

We traded in the MCS convertible for the JCW Clubbie to fit the kids feet better last year. Now one year later they both fit great in the hardtop. Kids feet are weird in how they will not fit with legs just dangling and not able to get under the seat. Lucky for my 7 year old daughter who is in a booster and her feet will not hit the floor I drive with the seat all the way forward and down. This gives her lots of foot room. My 12 year old finally can get his feet on the floorboard and they fit under the passenger front seat.

Keep on working with the car seats. Maybe a different one will fit better.

 

Clubman. No compromises.

 

Yeah, not seeing why so much dislike for the Clubman. Seems to fit the bill perfectly, and yet (?)

 

I agree on the Clubman. I've had my Clubman about a week now. I was set on getting a Cooper Hardtop, but after test driving with an infant carseat and toddler booster seat and wife, it felt too cramped.

Figured I would go with the Clubman and compromise, but it turned out to not really be a compromise, it drives just like the Cooper Hardtop. :D

 

I had an '03 MCS and bought an '09 Clubbman S......I don't have any little kids, but we do have the MINI-Poopers and the extra room in the Clubby really makes it more workable. The first time I had it on the track dispelled any notions that it wasn't a true MINI tho...

Bonus - it rides a lot smoother than the regular MINIs too!

The extra 3" of legroom in the back is very noticeable, and having the extra door will nake it much easier to get a little one in and out of a car seat - trying to do that in a coupe is almost gauranteed to ruin your back before they're 6 years old!