Hey everyone, I've seen this discussed a bit here and there, but thought I'd get some direct advice: how realistically manageable is a MINI as a family car? I'm dying to get one, but my wife (who is not a fan and thinks they're too small) and I are planning on having children soon. Is there anyone out there that has had to put both their significant other and a child seat in the car? This wouldn't be our only car (she drives an SUV) which we could take most of the time, but still would need to be able to fit them both in my car from time to time. I know it's "possible", but I also don't want to cram a square peg in a round hole if this just isn't meant to be. But I've heard others on this forum mention that they've put two kids seats in the back, so if it is realistic, I'm going to go for it. Anyone have direct experience with a newborn in the MINI? Any tips, advice, regrets, etc. I should be aware of? As always, thanks everyone in advance for your input.

 

Clubman may be a better choice.

 

The toughest part for me was the backwards facing car seat. Once he/she outgrows that & is in a forward facing car seat, it is much easier.

The back facing car seats push against the back of the front seats & give limited room for the passenger. It wasn't too bad for me, since I'm only 5'5", but taller folks might not fit.

This is comming from a 1st Gen cabrio which has the smallest back seat in the MINI lineup. (Not including the Minis)

 

I can fit my wife and 2 girls in my Cooper S 2010. We've taken a couple of 100 mile trips that were comfortable enough. The girls enjoy riding the Mini tremendously.

For an infant, clubman might be a better choice. Or, you can wait for the countryman.

 

If you can wait a couple of month you should really look at a "Countrymen" I just seen one at my dealers on display and it is a perfect family car. 4-Doors, Plenty of room in the front and rear seats, A bit larger then the Mini Cooper Hatchback or Clubman. It is just probably what your wife would want.

-------------Oh Yea ! It still looks like a Mini Cooper.----------------------

 

I just went through the same thing. I have my wife, my 13 year old and my 20 month old. They fit fine, nobody is cramped on space. The rear facing thing would be a problem. Once you're through that stage, it's no biggie. The 1st few days I had mine, my 20 month old needed help climbing into her seat, a few days later, she was climbing in by herself, then I just had to strap her in. Get the MINI! Oh, and make sure you test fit strollers before you buy a stroller. I'm still lokking for one that will fit.

 

As a back-up transporter for your family SUV you're going to be fine. Buy a car for the everyday "norm" and not for the exceptions. I rarely have anyone in my MCS but when I've needed to I've had three adult passengers. I have to scoot the driver's seat up a bit and put the shortest one behind me. On the passenger's side it's no problem. Post some pics when you bring it home.

 

Frankly as a mom whose kids are grown and I just ditched the minivan I wouldn't get a car planning for children that didn't have rear doors. I'm all for suffering for your art but having those doors on the side of your car will make your life sooooo much easier. I'd check out the Countryman, wish they had it when I was breeding!

 

I have a 5 year old and a 4 month old. Everyone fits just fine in the car! We do have a second larger vehicle for the trips that we have to bring more stuff with us.

Get the MINI.

 

I have a 4.5 yr old and a 5 month old. Was a little cramped in the Cooper Hardtop, but the Clubman is great. I'm 6'2" tall and with a rear-facing carseat behind me, I still can put the seat within a couple notches of where I normally have it and feel quite comfortable. Wife sits in back behind passenger seat and 4.5 yr old sits in front (she loves it). When the baby gets a front-facing carseat, I'm sure wife will move up to front seat.
The Clubman is my daily driver and we only put the family in it occasionally.

 

Quite often, my wife, 14 year old daughter and sister-in-law go in my MINI from Vancouver BC to Seattle WA. We fit fine. Those sometimes SIL complains about getting into a 2-door. We also have a larger car, but use the MINI the most.

Not an issue if you're not carrying anything big.

 

Thanks for all the responses everyone. The clubman is an excellent car but the Hardtops small size, while both the challenge here, is also the draw. And I'm barely squeeking by in being able to afford the Hardtop (probably going to look at used), so the extra cost is prohibitive. Same for the Countryman, which I think I'd really like, but $30,000 to start?! If the Mini is just too small, my next two options are either the GTI or a used RX-8. The RX-8 is slower off the line, though, and I'm not cray about the style. The GTI is simply too bland and frankly, neither put the smile on my face the Mini does.

In any event, thanks again everyone. I leaning towards trying to make the Mini work. If it's been done before, I'm sure I can too.

 

My friend has a RX-8, it just as bad as a mini. I wouldn't really go in that direction.

 

Picked up my '04 MINI last Thursday and bought a cheap Cosco Scenera carseat for transporting my 15-month-old daughter. The Scenera fits much better than the Britax Marathon we use in our primary family car.

Can't speak for rear-facing seats, but I imagine it'll cut a little more into the front passenger's legroom unless you can find one that's really small.

Our setup works fine. My wife and I are both pretty tall, and she has plenty of legroom with the baby behind her. Baby loves the car, too. She learned the word "car" the day I brought it home.

As someone else said, buy the car that fits most of your daily missions, not the one that'll come in handy once in a while. I realized I only had someone else in my work car maybe 3-4 times a year, but I still wanted a car that could carry all three of us in a pinch (or just for a fun drive). MINI works just fine for us!

 

To the OP, your wifey is driving the family truckster, Daddy needs a toy!!! Plus, you don't even have kids yet... Don't over-analyze, life is short, enjoy the little things that make you happy, like a MINI!!!

 

We have 2 toddler boys, 3 1/2 and 2 1/2. Both LOVE the MINI. They really enjoy having their own sunroof to look out of and because the windows in the rear take up half the car they have a much greater chance to see everything that is going on around them.

As for the space, well I would say that actually depends on how tall you or your wife is. There is only as much space in the backseat as the people in the front allow there to be.

I personally am 6'2" and my 3yr old (who is extremely tall for his age) has just enough space. It is obviously much better for him when my 5'6" wife is driving.

My wife likes her MINI better than her old SUVs simply because there is so much less room for the kids to throw stuff

Ultimately do what is going to make you happy...
Is the MINI a family car?
Absolutely, if that is what you want it to be!!!!!

 

Clubman or Countryman.

Had a hardtop while my daughter was 0-6months... doable but not fun. Clubman since she was, hmm... 1.5 y/o or so, and I find it easier on my back than a four door sedan (because I hold and place her while facing her, not while on my side.

 

Found out my wife was pregnant a week after putting down the deposit on my MC hardtop. Been looking at carseats and such to fit the car and it seems doable. MINI was my 'practical' choice vs. another Miata. Never even considered a Clubman - wasn't what I wanted.