We were visiting with some friends last night. These are really good friends that we have known for years, but do not see a lot because they live far and our schedules usually conflict. They have a couple of adorable kids and based on that fact have been insisting that my mini was a poor choice, since we are planning on having kids soon. So, last night the conversation started to proceed in that direction once again. Now, I normally don't do this, but I took out my keys, tossed them to my friend and told him to go for a spin. Unsurprisingly, he did not need to be asked twice. Him and another friend jumped in the car and were gone. They came back about 45 minutes later. Knowing all the twisties around his house I was not surprised to see two huge grins as they walked back through the door.

The rest of the evening proceeded normally. Conversation revolved around politics, finance, kids, etc. Surprisingly there was no further mention of the Mini not being appropriate for kids.

 

So, Jerry....did you give them the "6-airbag/3000 weld-point/rigid chassis/safety spiel," I hope?


Clover

 

Nice move.
Don't that away works.............

 

My car has that? I didn't even have to bring out that info. As usual, the Mini spoke for it self and stood on it's own two...., eh...., four wheels!

 

that's a funny story.


Im getting a Cooper-CVT for the wife probably next year or the year
after. We have a 9month old son.

 

My two kids (ages 3.5 & 5.5 and big kids at that) have loved riding around in the back of the Mini for almost 3 years now. Yours will as well.

 

don't forget - kids love minis - they think they're COOOOOL!

 

My grandson LOVES motoring in my MINI

 

Sounds like you're lucky you got your car back, there was an old Kingston Trio song that went "He never returned, no he never returned and his fate is still unlearned. He may ride forever....."

I haven't heard the "3000 weld-point/rigid chassis/safety spiel" Maybe Clover will indulge me sometime.

 

While the mini would make due for karting around kids, it wouldn't be my first choice. Need something a bit bigger with 4 doors to easily insert and remove child. Not to mention all the things that go along with them..
Besides, your probably not going to drive the same with kids in the car...
This is what the Honda accord is all about.... Maybe not what most like to hear on here, but... obviously works well..
That being said... I am looking forward to my grandson growing up and going for a ride in the MCS.. but would consider something else for everyday use... IMHO

 

Still would look for the 5 star saftey rating of something a bit more convenient for hauling around kids and all the things that go along... The mini has a 4 star rating... good but not as good as it could be.

 

So let me get this straight. They had all these objections and went for one drive and....end of questions? How cool is that?!?!?!?!?! Obviously your MINI is quite eloquent, in it's own way!!

In my opinion, life is too short (especially w/ the kids still around the house) to not have some, or a lot of, fun. It may be a tad bit awkward w/ all the strollers, car seats, and diaper bags for awhile, but if this is something you two enjoy, then your kids will too, and that kind of shared fun is quite simply priceless.

 

Ah, that is what the convertible is for - easy loading of babies!

Mike

 

Correction. 4-stars are the max a compact car can get, making it the best it can be.

 

Not so, Honda Civic, Toyota corolla received 5 star rating and last time I counted, 5 was still greater than 4. MOST compacts only can muster a 4 star rating... but not all..

 

Hmm....it was my understanding that the MINI got the top safety rating possible for its class.


Clover

 

Nope.. but it does very well... another example is the Honda S2000... 4 stars front rating 5 stars side crash rating.
The Suzuki Aero... got 4 front driver and passenger and 5 stars for side impact...

 

Do they have 6 airbags?


Clover

 

"...through the streets of Boston, he's the man who never returned." Haven't heard that one in a LONG time!

 

Don't know... just going by the NHSTA ratings. We also have 4 out of 5 for rollover... These are the results from controlled tests. Which is a good indication of how the car holds up compared to others... Obviously if the mini had more room for crumple zones to work with, I'm sure a 5 would have been the result. Thats why the well designed bigger cars perform a bit better in a crash.. more ability to absorb and displace the energy... its not all airbags...

 

Well, I've seen some amazingly bad crashes involving MINIs where the folks inside walked away with barely a scratch! I feel VERY safe and wouldn't hesitate to have children ride in them! :smile:


Clover

 

Test results - mini

Seems the Acura RSX 2-door is one of the few that achieved 5 stars for driver and passenger... interesting...

 

I agree for infant carriers... those require quite a bit of room to place
the carrier onto the base and also to remove. We're using our Corolla
to transport our kid right now. but after he starts walking and he
can climb into his own child seat it's only a matter of strapping him in
so I don't think it will be much of a hassle.

I've seen many parents with VW GTI's Civic SI hatchbacks doing
just that and they say it's no big deal.

 

Pardon me, but as a Bostonian I feel compelled to correct this:

It actually goes "he may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston..."

because the guy is riding on the subway and the fare went up so he doesn't have enough money to get off the train, so his wife hands him a sandwich through the window every day but never thinks to slip him a nickel so he can debark.

I love the Kingston Trio! "Scotch and Soda" is my favorite song of theirs.

mmm, scotch and soda...

wait, is this OT?

 

Geeez, talk about a thread hijack....