OK, I'm prepared to get flamed for even bringing up the thought of purchasing a pick-up on a MINI forum but what the heck...

LONG VERSION (skip to the short version if you want the gist of it). ***WARNING*** Random thoughts in the long version.

I was on the waiting list for a S at the local dealer a year ago (NW MINI). Between the time I was on the list and how my name "disappeared" from the list. They claim they called me when my turn came up but I call BS because I live with my cell phone attached to me (on-call for work). When I found this information out a few month back I gave up on getting the MINI because the prospect of getting on a 16 month waiting list seemed insane. I know my other option is to buy back East and ship or drive it but I hate to pay the extra $1000.

So... like many I can't get images of 6 speeds, the sound of the supercharger, or the ANY thought of the MINI out of my head. I am once again contemplating a MINI. I always wanted an original and actually went to buy one years ago but ended up with a '68 BMW 2002 instead (now sold for my new tow - below). The time has come to replace my (GULP) SUV with a new car. I no longer need the 4 wheel drive (yes I actually used it) and want something that fits my needs.

MY NEEDS
What ever I get will be a second car. My wife drives a minivan which is great with kids (2 1/2 and 8 weeks). The ONLY time I would foresee having to put both kids in the second car is if the van is in the shop. Other than that I just need to fit one car seat for when I take one child out. I figure if I have both I'll have the van .

I also would like the ability to haul/pull my toy to the track.



The reason I was thinking pick-up is I wouldn't have to store a trailer to do this. That and it'd be nice to have around the house for hauling stuff. True, the kart fits in the van with the seats out but what a pain... it'd also leave my wife carless when I got to the track for the day. In the long run I also want to be able to haul two karts, my son gets one at 4 years old (25cc).

Commuting/gas mileage isn't much of a councern. I Vanpool to work and only drive maybe 1-2 times per month. The extra car sits for when it's needed on the weekend. I'd actually see my gas bill going up if I got the MINI as I'd find reasons to drive seperate to work .

SHORT VERSION
What do you all think?

Buy a MINI S and put a hitch on it to tow my toy. I figure the trailer I am looking at is 500 lbs. The kart is 180ish plus fuel, tools, etc. Is a 800lb trailer to much for a MINI S to pull? I may be going over mountain passes to hit other tracks and I don't want to kill the S. I'd also throw a hitch on the van for doing the house/yard trailer stuff.

Or...

Buy a pick-up as it fits the bill and "may" be more "practical" for my needs.

Stupid NW MINI... I wouldn't even be considering this if it weren't for them...

I guess I also need to see how well a child seat fits with someone in the passenger seat. I'm 6'4" and my son NOT a small 2 year old.

Advice? Input? Bring it on...

Thanks,
Todd

If I go MINI I'll probably look used as paying MSRP + $1000 shipping just is stretching the budget to much.

Anyone want to buy a LR Discovery?

 

Well if you get a MCS, the trailer hitch is a slight problem as that is where the exhaust is. There are solutions to this, just wanted to let you know of that problem right from the start. Personally, I'd use the minivan to tow the trailer and have the MINI for just driving.

While I don't have kids yet, I have read that other people have had no problems with 2 car seats in the back. The only pain I may see would be getting them in there as kids like to squirm about. However, there's a lot of room in the back seats.

That said, my second car is a pickup. I like my pickup for its usefullness and I like my MINI for it's fun factor. The MINI will be more fun to drive but if you need to haul a lot of stuff or tow anything heavy (the trailer and go kart aren't really heavy) the truck would be more useful.

Unless you get a truck with an extended cab, you'll have more passenger room in the MINI. I have a quad-cab Dodge RAM and it's got a lot of room. However, when I go out for a drive, I grab the keys to the MINI because it's more fun.

 

Get the MINI.Get the MINI.Get the MINI.Get the MINI.Get the MINI.Get the MINI.

A tow mount can be fitted, and it has more than enough power to tow a couple of karts and spares.

 

Can't comment on towing, but there's no problem getting car seats in the rear. The seat is actually very deep and roomy. Leg room is the problem in the back, which doesn't apply here. Plus the mini is equiped with the latch system, so if yer car seat has it, it really allows you to clamp that baby in there.

 

Sanderskog, welcome to MCO!!

(everyone seems to forget that nowadays....)

Sounds like you need to do a bit more research. This post is a good start and you'll receive a lot of opinions. 95% of which will be "buy the MINI", but you expected that didn't you?

I'll comment on the price issue. What kind of decent pickup do you expect to buy for less than the cost of a MCS? Unless you really load up the MINI, you should be paying around $23,000. I'd think that's absolutely comparable to a new pickup...and probably less if you're looking at some extended cab jobs.

 

There is a member of CLUB MINI in the NW that has created a new trailer hitch for the 'S' that looks pretty nice and has a good towing ability. HE is selling them for $350.00 I think. But he is in the area and can give you advice. The 'S' will be able to pull your toy pretty easy.

I am in the NW also...you can email me at minirolls@msn.com

 

Thanks jsun! I've been lurking on this board and many others for a while now and ave been following the MINI ever since it was in concept. There's a lot of great info. here I just haven't seen that much from people with practical experience towing with a MINI. Lots of talk on hitches and stuff though.

Well, with gas prices the way they are pick-ups can be had pretty cheap. I was looking at the F-150 Supercrew and can get a 2 wheel drive (2001) for around $17,000 locally. If I go with the MINI and buy new it'd be my first new car and to be honest I'm having a hard time swallowing the whole paying sticker thing . It's not that I have no car buying experience. I think my LR is #18 or so...

Todd

 

Mini-rolls,

Where can I find more info. out about CLUB MINI? Is it a NW group?

Todd

 

You can look here : http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ClubMINI/

.... and look for Abe (thejunkman here on MCO) - he has posted pic's of his hitch on ClubMINI, and is also selling it on Ebay ...

 

Well, I should probably point out the obvious, and that's that you'll garner an awful lot of (positive) attention pulling a go kart with a MINI! On the other hand, pulling a kart on a trailer attached to a big pickup will be....pedestrian? As has been said, pulling your kart with the MINI (and an appropriate hitch) will be easy. Go for it if you like attention.

ps -- the sticker shock thing will pass and is totally expected if this is your first new car. And it still gets me sometimes...like the time I reflected that a recent minivan purchase cost about $30,000, and then remembered that my first purchased house (in 1985) cost only about $15,000 more than that. Money just ain't what it used to be...

 

A Cooper might not be a bad consideration. A few more options available as far as a hitch goes. Also I think a hitch will soon if not already be a dealer installed option. Good luck
And Welcome to MCO

 

I thought about a Cooper but just can't bring myself to do it. No offense, I just want the extra zip. I drove both when I originally put my name on the list and decided then the S was for me.

Thanks though.

Todd

 

There is a Factory Towbar available, but not in the USA - if you can order it from Europe, you can bolt it right on ... here are the factory instructions : http://www.bridger.us/mini/howto/Towbar.PDF
... but that's just for the Cooper!

 

>>I thought about a Cooper but just can't bring myself to do it. No offense, I just want the extra zip. I drove both when I originally put my name on the list and decided then the S was for me.
>>
>>Thanks though.
>>
>>Todd


Maybe just trade the go cart for the S



Good luck and good decision

 

NEVER!!!! Drive a kart and you'll see why 125cc, capable high speed turns and 100mph+ with your butt an inch off the ground.

My '68 2002 was built as a dedicated track car and I sold it because the kart is faster and corners better. At the local road course the kart can pull faster lap times than the MINI and most other cars. It sure as heck costs a lot less to race and maintain than a car on the track. Some say the MINI drives like a gokart... they're wrong. It is the next best thing though.

Todd

 

I must turn in my company pickup shortly and not wanting to be without the option to pull my trailer I built a custom hitch for my MCS. It is a bolt-on to the rear structure and the hitch sticks out were the backup light was. It is super strong and should be able to tow 1000# with out any problem. It sounds like you should find a lighter trailer for your cart and tools. A 500# trailer for 300# of contents is over kill. I have some pictures of the hitch and installation if you're interested.

 

Sportech - I'd love to see pics and hear more about the install. My dad does sales for a huge local machine shop so building isn't out of the question. The larger trailer is in part due to the home needs as well.

Thanks!
Todd

 

Hey,

If you have to even *ask* this question---get the truck.

I just sold my Dodge Ram 4X4 Quad Cab and got my 2003 MCS, and my garage back.
Do I miss my truck? NO!
Do I like 30 MPG instead of 16? YES!
Do I like having 10 feet between my Mini front bumper and my workbench in my garage? YES! (instead of using my truck bumper for a workbench seat).
Do I have more fun driving the Mini? YES!

AND... what would be cooler than showing up at the track pulling your kart with the Mini? ...nothin'

Go have fun!!

The "Y"
ex Enduro Kart racer. (IKS, So. Cal.) classes: 100cc box stock, 125cc Open Lite.

 

I had a 1999 Dodge Quad Cab 4x4 1500 back before I started vanpooling to work. How the heck did you get 16mpg! I don't miss my 11mpg!

I know, I know... get the MINI.

 

I'd say go for the pickup they are much cooler than mini coopers!

 

just kidding! of course go for the mini, they are better all around!

 

Well, if you do get a MINI, you should already know how to drive the heck out if it with your go-kart exp...

but on the more serious side, didn't Grassroots Motorspots make a hitch for their MC? (www.grassrootsmotorsports.com)... maybe they can help you out (they seem like nice guys..)

Rocketboy_X

 

Just FYI - I've read that the MINI is rated at 1,000 pounds towing capacity. I think that was the Cooper rating - not sure if it would go up any for the S. My guess is the rating is limited by the brakes not the engine.