I was talking with a buddy and he said my MINI was a nice car but that he could never get one. When I asked why not, he said it's because he has young children (2 & 6) and that if you have young children there's just too much stuff to carry along. He also said "It's not just me, NOBODY with young children would even consider buying a MINI."

I figured I'd have to put that statement to the test. Well, is he right?

 

Girl 3 1/2
Boy 1 1/2
Regulary carry both.

 

I've got kids. 4 of them, 9, 7, 5, & 3. That's why I also have a full-size coversion van and a Durango. If I'm going somewhere that I have to take more than 1 or 2 of them, we're taking a bigger vehicle. But as the Mini will be MY primary transportation back and forth to work, and as they don't go with me to work, I don't foresee a big problem

T J

 

>>He also said "It's not just me, NOBODY with young children would even consider buying a MINI."
>>
>>I figured I'd have to put that statement to the test. Well, is he right?

I have a rule in life that is to never say never. I have a young boy, 5 years old and even thought I don't have the car yet (still waiting for it to come in) he will be happily riding in the back of the car.

I think Americans in general are so comfortable with everything being so exsessive, in the case of cars big, bulky, they think that anything smaller than a Hummer is a death sentence. Sometimes you gotta relax on the paranoia.

H.é.c.t.o.r.

 

My 2 kids fit fine. They're 5 and 7. He'll figure it out once his 2 year old is house bro... errr... potty trained. The kids fit fine.

 

I have two kids -- 2 and 5 -- and I considered buying a MINI, and then proceeded to actually do it. ). But the point is, we used to fit just fine. Why my kids need to ride in a vehicle that is twice that size is a difficult question to answer.

 

One child he is 7 and he fits fine even with the trunk latched and the rear seats up. JK but I do have a seven year old and I take him and all "my" toys to the beach very often.

 

I have a two year old and a soon-to-be five year old. We tested them in the back of the MINI, and they fit fine. They will not ride in the car daily, but if we need to use the MINI, they certainly fit. I'll use the MINI as my commuter car and a mild early midlife crisis remedy. :smile:

Hope that helps with your decision. Let me know if I can answer any other questions for you.

JS

 

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>>
>>I figured I'd have to put that statement to the test. Well, is he right?
>>
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In a word - No! We have three kids, ages 13, 10 and 6 and a dog. Obviously, we can't all travel in the MINI together. We also have a Ford Expedition, which, will allow us to travel together (and pull our boat when we need to). But, I also have a company car, an Olds Intrigue, and another option when we get our MINI (next week, I hope) is to take both cars on short trips together. With all we have going on, sometimes having two vehicles on a trip isn't so bad. Besides, I pay a nominal flat rate for the Intrigue whether I use it or not for personal use. Taking it, along with the MINI won't cost me anymore than taking the MINI alone.

 

Good point jstines! I've moved both of my kids to boosters when in the MINI, and they fit much better than when I was trying to shoehorn a full child carseat in there. I figure that once raised to the proper height by the booster, and strapped in properly, they are sufficiently safe. Of course I'm also thinking of getting them little nomex driving suits and full face helmets just to be sure.

 

We have a 3 1/2 year old and he loves the Mini so much he won't ride in the other car. :smile:

Once he's 4 we plan on going with just a booster seat.

-Jim

_________________
"Mjolnir" | Dark Silver MCS, Black roof - stripes, all 3 packages, 17" wheels. | Madison, WI

"It's not just a passion, it's an obsession!"

<IMG SRC="http://mcs.maximus-consulting.com/gr....jpg">

 

I like others responding to this post have an almost 2 year old and will soon (about 6 wks) have a new born. While we own a minivan to haul everyone and "stuff" the Mini works quite well provided we're not planning a 1000 mile roadtrip.

I would say most Americans are too married to bringing along "the kitchen sink".

I personally think the Mini is a very cool family car!

 

I have a 7 month old son. He fits fine back there. It will be even better once the car seat is turned to the front when he turns one year.

Your friend is wrong.

lolo

_________________

Picked up on 12/3/02 one All Black MINI.
...and on the eight day the MINI was created, and it was good.

 

I have a 3 year old daughter who LOVES to ride in my MINI. My wife, daughter and I recently took a weekend trip in Maxine and the car was Great! We had the stroller, luggage for two days and assorted snacks and such. It was snug but comfy

 

i don't know.. I always be concidered myself a young children!

 

No worries. We have a 1-year-old and an unborn. So by the time I get the mini we'll have two. Generally they'll only be in my wife's Camry (current child doesn't end up in my current commuter car often) but I certainly wouldn't worry about my ability to put a diaper bag in the boot and the kids in the back seats.

Just so long as they hold on tight when the sunroof is open

 

Put the order for the MINI in before finding out that hubby knocked me up. But alas, found out that mini is coming out with a carseat to fit. We plan on using it exclusively for our family trip car; although as the daily kid car; we are getting a Jetta wagon (I think). However, we love the MINI and without exception everyone who has sat in the backseat (and this is full sized adult people) thinks it is shockingly roomy. In addition, if the mini holds a month's worth of groceries (yes, that's how often we go) and a Costco run; it can hold everything a kid needs and the kid to boot (no pun intended)

Hope the kid loves the MINI like we do.

 

I have a 15 son 12 daughter, My SO has a 10, and 12 daughter. We only have vehicles that carry 4, or 2 passengers, and have no intention of getting a Minivan, If we actually all 6 go somewhere we take 2 vehicles.

 

Greetings,
My 8 year old daughter thinks the MINI is the coolest ride. In fact we all think its the coolest ride around !!
Ron
'03 MCS PS/B

 

my 10 year old son, 8 year old niece and 6 year old niece ride in the backseat just fine! Every now and again, my son gets shot gun, and he totally digs it, especially when I give him a ride to school!

 

I have three children,a 15-13-11.we bought our mini then took it across country to Ohio from California with two small dogs we had a great trip no problems and nobody had any complaints,we have also done other trips and now we are planning Tombstone Az. trip.We have many miles in other bigger cars but this by far is our favorite road machine.We always run front door and enjoy watching the SUVs try to catch us.

 

Ihave three 5, 4 and 2. The only problem that I have is the arguments over who gets to ride on the roof. :smile: "Sorry honey I would lovew to take the kids, but I'm taking the MINI..."

Denny

 

>>...if you have young children there's just too much stuff to carry along. He also said "It's not just me, NOBODY with young children would even consider buying a MINI."
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What? Sounds like justification for a really bad case of MINI envy!

I've got 3 kids (1, 3 & 5 yrs), and they beg to take the MINI instead of the van (of course I can only take 2 at one time). My oldest son is convinced that my MINI is "the fastest car in the whole world"...which is really something 'cause his grand daddy takes him for rides in his vette. Anyway, I think this guy needs to re-evaluate how much stuff the "kids" really need. My kids are in that same age bracket and don't require much more than a change of cloths and juice cups!

 

I'll find out monday when my wife takes our youngest (and last) who is 13 yrs and his friend (same age), their two hockey bags and 4 sticks to school.

I'll try to get pictures,... and odds???

 

13, 12, 11, 10, 8, 3, 1. No it's not a Mensa test, just the age of my kids, the only problem I have is giving them equal seat time, they all love the MINI.

X2