My hubby finally drove my Chilly ***** on Sunday. On the way to the gas station he kept squirming and fiddling with the seat. I asked him if he wanted to pull over and get comfortable. He said he would do it at the gas station.

On arriving at the gas station he got out and told me to drive. I said why. He says that the pedals are too close together, and he did not feel comfortable driving.

He says he won't drive Chilly again. (good thing...bad thing???)

I know others have mentioned this before,(foot size and the clutch, brake, and gas too close) but is there a solution. He wears 10 I wear 6.

She is irresistible how could anyone refuse to drive her.

Ah well maybe it is for the best, he gets enough small car jokes off of me to write a book. I am a little glad that he won't this way I don't have to readjust my seat and mirrors everytime I drive.

Thought I would share.

Lolo

 

IMHO.....GOOD THING! :smile:

Now you have Chilly all to yourself!

 

... and I've got 12's - no problem! ... the only car my feet didn't fit in was a Lotus Europa ...
... I think it's a good thing for you! You get all the fun ... some people just have a hard time with small cars - looking up at traffic, claustrophobia, whatever ... his loss, your gain ...

 

I've got size 16s...no problem....

 

Driving the car to the gas station is hardly a fair test. I have the same size shoe and I drove an S last summer (a rental!) and the pedals became very comfortable after putting a few miles on the car. It was so comfortable that MY MCS is now at the distribution center and I expect to take delivery VERY shortly!! If you REALLY want him to share the car tell him to give it a little time. He will be hooked.

 

Those shoes aren't MINIS!!

 

I'm kinda glad...and I don't like to drive his Vette, so nyah nyah nyah!

 

>>I've got size 16s...no problem....





... show off ...

 

I've got bigger feet than that, and I haven't had a problem. I prefer the pedals closer together, and I think in a smaller, performance type roadster you'd want them closer together as well. Have him try moving the seat back, and playing with the height and the angle of the backrest. I can't believe he can't get comfortable.

It could also be just a case of sour grapes! Since it's your car, and he wants one, he's jealous and won't drive it. Never know...

 

Hmmm... I think he needs to fiddle more with the seat controls, which provide pretty reasonable adjustment angles.

I am 5'10" 165 pounds and have a 10 size shoe, so is not bad at all. Just this weekend spent a total of 4 hours each way on a weekend getway trip behind the wheel....no problemo. Oh and I even have the standard black leatherette seats, not the sports ones.

However, my car is a CVT and since there is no clutch pedal it could be even more comfortable as the left foot has more room. I have never driven a stick shift MINI (Cooper or MCS) for comparison. I imagine the foot space is compromised a bit more by the presence of the clutch pedal.

Also remember that the steering wheel tilts up and down (Unfortunately no telescopic setting) so playing with it can help him find the best driving position there is.

The long roof of the MINI can make it a bit uncomfortable for taller drivers when trying to see traffic lights, without having to tilt your head to gain view.

It would be a bad situation if your hubby won't drive your MINI, say if you fracture or injure your left foot and can't drive it because of not being able to actuate the clutch pedal (Another reason why I don't buy stick shift cars anymore! )

 

I have a Cooper S on order, (delivery 2nd Jan) and i have tried both a Cooper and an S. I had no problems with the pedals an i have size 10 shoes, but recently hired a Peugot 206 and found the pedals too close together.

 

The close proximity of the pedals do take some getting used to. It is a good thing that your hubby doesn't want to drive your MINI, Lolo...unless he's the designated driver on some occasions, in which case I guess the MINI stays home.

 

Thanks for the feedback so far.

I don't think it's sour grapes, he is really happy for me and Chilly.

He has driven small cars long before the Toyota Forerunner (he's no snob there).

MINIClo,
Yes, I got that "Thanks but no thanks" look.

I do agree that he did not give it a chance. I will offer the opportunity AGAIN to drive her allowing lots of time to make the necessary adjustments.

I don't see him driving her on any kind of regular basis even if he get accustomed to her, but you share the things you love with the ones you love.

Yea right!!!

 

Although I can perfectly understand the odd sense of rejection that we feel when someone doesn't immediately enjoy driving our MINIs, upon reflection I need to ban this reaction from my system. Why? Because I don't want to be in the passenger seat. It's a GOOD thing! Just think if you actually get him to give Chilly another chance - and he LIKES it... Uh oh, that could spell trouble.

I'll just enjoy Molly all I want and continue to allow myself to believe that everyone else would love driving her - if given the chance!

 

>> He says that the pedals are too close together, and he did not feel comfortable driving.
>>

The only time I've ever experienced pedals being too close together was in nighmares where I'm trying to eval an evil entity (:evil and can't. Seriously, though, I've always driven smaller cars and I don't have any issue with the pedals in either of the two cars I test drove. It could be that the seat wasn't adjusted properly for his legs to streach out just right.

 

I've got ten's and no problem also easy for heel - toe driving.

 

I wear 12's, and I've found that shoe STYLE is more of an issue than size number. I have a pair of Skechers sneakers with wide, bulky soles. I can't drive with these on since I end up pushing both the gas and brake at times. Less bulky shoes are fine, though..

 

Sounds like your husband is jealous. Maybe the car represents your freedom and independence and that scares him. He's just a guy, you know, with a guy's little pea sized brain. Just give him some reassurance, that's all. Hold his hand and tell him you love him. He'll be ok.

He just better not make you choose between him and Chilly if he knows what's good for him.

 

I am 6'3" 220lbs and have size 13 WIDEs. Yes the pedals are close together, thank god!
I salute Mini for having the courage, in the post Audi unintended acceleration world, to place the pedals close to gether for heel and toeing. The lawyers have been desiging the pedals in too many cars of late!

 

I wear a size 13 and most of my shoes have wide toe-boxes. I've not had a single problem since day 1. On this subject, I'm going to get a license plate frame made that says "Small Car...Size 13 Shoe".