Both in their 80's, I drove my Dad and Mom again to the Doctors. They are finally trained on how to enter and exit the MINI after I adjust the seats. It takes time to get them in and out and it took several trips and patience for them to learn how. With this seat configuration I am driving at the closet position to the wheel. I know it is not recommended but sometimes you have to do this. They love riding in the MINI.

 

Yup, my 90 yo mom gets a MINI ride when I take her to her appointments and she always enjoys the ride and comments on how much fun we must be having with it. She only needs help getting the seat belt started and she clips it in with no worries.

 

when my friends or relatives get in mine (R50 with sport springs), they always complain about how uncomfortable and stiff the ride is...yet they like the fun when I hug corners...

 

Yeah, I do both seat belts too. It's butt in for my Mom in the back seat and butt out then one foot out. "Mom, you have to get out the same way you came in!" She does it! Dad's in the front and Mom's in the back behind me so Dad can but his seat back.

 

Driving with the seat up to the wheel is different. I'm used to driving with the seat way back. It's tight getting in the seat but driving isn't too bad. Fun working the gears.

 

Detroit has spoiled the driving public with unrealistic expectations of smooth stress free driving. They have no idea how connected one is with the traditional sports car 'road feel' much less how to appreciate it. My first two cars were English roadsters.

 

...I've always been trying to explain the "road feel" to everyone...but it seems for them that a good,fun car has to be soft on bumps...I used to get worse feedbacks on my old S2000...