This is my first post. I'll be lurking and learning for awhile. I've been comparing the Mini S Countryman to some of it's competition. If it were just the car and not other ancillary requirements that I have, I'd jump on the Mini and never look back. My current vehicle is a Subaru Baja. It's perfect in that it is a car like ride, a small truck used like a hauler, has a roof rack for transporting hang gliders, and a trailer hitch for hauling my motorcycle to the shop about once a year for a valve check/major service. I also need the trailer hitch for a supplemental support rack for the hang gliders.

The limitations on trading the Subaru for the Mini is the difficulty with getting a trailer hitch. I'm guessing the roof rack won't be a problem?

The closest contender to the Mini Countryman S is a VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon. For that vehicle, trailer hitch is not difficult to install and the roof rack/cross bars are an available option. I had one a few years ago.

I know http://www.minidomore.com/ is working on a solution to the trailer hitch.

Why am I considering getting rid of the "perfect" vehicle (Subaru Baja) for my purpose? Because it's boring the hell out of me and I want a car that's actually fun to drive. There's something about the Mini that I really like.

Maybe I don't need the Countryman and the S Hatchback would do? Is there a roof rack system for it? Apparently there is a trailer hitch available from MINIDOMORE.

I'm divorced, retired, 70 years old but in denial, and still trying to have some fun. Just for perspective in case I sound crazy.

Any comments will be appreciated, well almost any.

 

Hi,

Baja's are great ! Welcome to NAM.

The Countryman has a trailer hitch available and a slide in rack system too. It also has a roof rack and various other attachments to accomodate everything from luggage to sport bicycles. You can also deck them out with guard rails and front push bars.

Cooper, Cooper S's and Clubman's are great handling and fun to drive too. Trailer hitches are readily available for all of them, and in some cases completely hidden behind the rear bumpers until you need to use them....

 

Maybe I don't need the Countryman and the S Hatchback would do?

In lieu of the hatch, you might consider a Clubman, which is based on the hatch but is a bit longer. It's also available in an S version. Don't think front pushbars are available for them though . . .

 

Thanks. Do you have a link to the trailer hitch supplier for the countryman?

And thanks for welcoming me to the forum. Hopefully I will become part of the Mini family. By the way, if anyone else is a motorcycle rider I've finally settled on the Triumph Tiger 1050, the Swiss Army Knife of motorcycles and found that it performs like a champ in the twisties which is my favorite type of street riding. Maybe it's just a coincidence that the Triumph and Mini are both UK products.

 

70 years young? That's the same as 20 something, like 20 fifty.

I knew an 80 year old MINI hatchback owner that was happy and motoring just fine.

Roofracks can be MINI OEM to be ordered with the MINI or

thule aftermarket
http://www.mini2.com/forum/photos-ph...roof-rack.html

For tow hitch

see
http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/08/...trailer-hitch/
http://www.worldcarfans.com/10904231...entral-exhaust

I think any MINI would work for you.
If you need more space then the Clubman would work.
If you need more clearance for rough roads or four full seats then the Countryman would be OK.

You'd get better handling and mpg with a base Clubman and still have some storage inside. Probably more trouble free with the Clubman which has been out awhile vs the Countryman which is a new model.

 

Test drive the Countryman ALL4 S...I just did a 12 Hour Hike from SC to NJ and ran into the NC/VA Snow Storm...the ALL4 handled superbly