R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 MINIs aren't small

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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:14 AM
  #1  
Mini_MEL's Avatar
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MINIs aren't small

Well, I've had my MINI for about 3 weeks now, and I've already completely turned my point of view - completely around.

Mini's aren't small. They're just right.

Man, I can't believe how big OTHER cars are.

As I sit at an intersection and see the stream of holiday shoppers go by: I can't help but remark how BIG so MANY rigs. Yukons, Expeditions, Suburbans, Escalades, F150 Supercabs... even the sedans...

everything else seems so BIG now.

and the guaranteed comment I get from everyone I've given a ride to: "Gee, these aren't small INSIDE"

I just hauled my daughter home from college for the break. two of us, and 3 suitcases of her stuff. plenty of room!

Happy Holidays!


8-)
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:16 AM
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+1
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:18 AM
  #3  
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Originally Posted by Mini_MEL
Mini's aren't small. They're just right.


Merry motoring!
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:20 AM
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mini's are not small, its compact, great mpg, great reliability, great attention-getter, great great great.

oh, mini's are great!
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:23 AM
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MINIs aren't small at all! You just don't get everything at the same time compare to those big things~ They can pretty much haul a lot of stuff and a lot of ppl at the same time~ We just need to be smart about it~ Having only a MINI is really quite enough for me and my GF, since I don't drive ppl around that much~ my back seats are always down, and we can carry loads of stuff that way.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:41 AM
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My other choices were a Miata or AudiTT and the Mini has twice the room as those cars. You can pack a ton of stuff with the seats down and I have a Cabrio so it's easy to get to with the top down.
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:46 AM
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so if MINIs arent small, how come MINIs marketing tells you to go to this website:

www.awesomenessofsmall.com
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 12:08 PM
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Hey Mel you will get used to it...better wave when we pass each other in town too! I will be home next week so you might see me around....otherwise my MINI is in the garage until I come home again
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 12:14 PM
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Hey tdm156 I'll look for you, and will definitely wave you down if I see you.

I'd like to check out your Anthracite interior, and aftermarket stuff ( bra, toughguard, clearbra ) .


I need to update my sig, My MINI is PS/B MCS.

Mel
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 12:20 PM
  #10  
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Hi, Mel! MINIs are magically small on the outside, but once you open the magic doors and enter, they are HUUUGE!
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 01:17 PM
  #11  
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I had the tough guard applied inside and out so the outside there is no waxing and the inside is stain proof. Water just beads up when it gets on the carpet floor mats. I put in my rubber floor mats when i was home last since its winter time. I am usually around the Tanasbourne area alot so you never know where you might run into me at
 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 04:27 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by MINIclo
Hi, Mel! MINIs are magically small on the outside, but once you open the magic doors and enter, they are HUUUGE!
AKA

"The Tardis Effect"

 
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Old Dec 15, 2006 | 11:48 PM
  #13  
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You are kidding right? They are small. To carry say golf clubs you would have to stick it throuth the seat with one down. Riding around with around with one other 6 ' 0" person the back seat behind the passenger is unusable except to carry a bag.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 04:34 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by capnmini
so if MINIs arent small, how come MINIs marketing tells you to go to this website:

www.awesomenessofsmall.com
Marketing hype, that's all. They call their car MINI & market it that way. Yes it's small, but in size MINI it ain't. Ever seen one parked next to an original Mini? It looks like Godzilla in comparison. Too my perspective it's about the same size as my long departed 92 Civic Si. The size is just right.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 10:10 AM
  #15  
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I've found they are about the same size as the MkIV VW Golfs and actually a little bit taller.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 10:33 AM
  #16  
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Small is a relative term. Compared to an SUV they are small. Compared to a motorcycle they are big.

Whats funny is how people these days associate big with being better then the next guy. My house is bigger then yours, My truck is bigger then yours, etc... So go ahead and buy your big house with a big SUV and along with it recieve you BIG payments, high maintenance costs, and huge fuel costs. When its time to retire I'll have my BIG retirment account and you will have NOTHING. (unless you can really afford it which 90% of the population can't)

We drive cars we can afford and that suit our needs 95% of the time. Occasionally we need a bigger vehical to haul something which we can easily borrow because everyone else seems to have one. We live in a house that is big enough for me, my wife, and my daughter and don't care that my friends all seem to have this need for a mansion that is pretty much empty.

We also have money in the bank, a ton of equity in our home, cars paid off but whats interesting is nobody but us see's that and thinks were poor. LOL.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 10:57 AM
  #17  
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From everything I can see KPMINI is the same size inside as my mother-in-law's Altima, there is just no trunk. Saying that sometimes you need a trunk, however, it fits my family. This includes two children under 4, everything fits great and the money I am saving over the truck I was driving is even better.
MINI's are also more fun which counts for a lot.


- KP
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 11:06 AM
  #18  
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Yes, MINIs are small cars considering what is presently available. It's always saddened me a bit to watch normal sized cars (like Civics) get bigger with each passing year. In any case, the size/weight of a classic Mini has probably been sacrificed in the name of safety and overall I think that is a very good thing.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 11:20 AM
  #19  
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Our Mini "Goliath" is as SMALL as we want and as BIG as we need.

It offers us what we need when we need it.
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 12:05 PM
  #20  
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Along with my MCS, I have an '84 Rabbit GTI (which are about the same size, but the mini has less cargo room). I went to the VW dealer when the new GTIs came out and parked my GTI next to one of them.... it looked like a Mini Van.... It was HUGE!
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 01:46 PM
  #21  
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Our Mini is about the same size as our '84 16v Rabbit Convertible...

Stopped by the local Quaker Steak and Lube today to find the local Triumph club there, 250s, Tr6s, a Spitfire or two (I think) and the odd MGB-GT. You think WE are small? Those things are TOYS!
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 02:21 PM
  #22  
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Yep Mini's are just right!
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 02:24 PM
  #23  
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I've never had a problem hauling anything, ergo mine isn't small for me. Unfortunately, it doesn't adequately reinforce my ***** size. C'est la vie
 
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Old Dec 16, 2006 | 02:25 PM
  #24  
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for a 2 passenger car it is phenominally big. like xb's rear seat leg room.
wow, so huge for such a small car.
 
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 09:24 AM
  #25  
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Hi,

I guess without overstating the obvious but answering somebody's question: No I'm not being facetious - Ya, The MINI is a small vehicle.
My point being: It's plenty BIG to accommodate me - MOST of the time - with full comfort!

Yes, people can come up with scenarios where the MINI is not big enough.
( passengers, cargo... )

As I'm on the road and see other cars, from Civics ( that have grown much larger than originally designed ) to all the F150's, Suburbans, SUV's, Hummers. etc.

Probably NINETY PERCENT !!! of the time, I see just a driver... or maybe a driver and a passenger in these behemouths.

So now I realize how a vehicle the size of a MINI ( or an Elantra, or Accent, or Focus ) has become the benchmark of adequate size - and I now see most other cars AS BIG.

I'm lucky enough to have an old F150 for those few ( relatively speaking ) times I need to haul something. And we have an old<er> Suburu Outback for trips for 4+ people, and the dog, and luggage or whatever. So the MINI doesn't have to cover those instances.

Of course, then we get to factor in the FUN factor of the MINI, not just the efficient size.

*** Side note: Oregonian last two days is chronicling the story of the SMART or SMARTZ car ( I guess made by Mercedes in Europe ) and how a local dealer is/was working on being a distributor for them here in Portland, OR area. Man, they are TINY. But: seems like there could be a market for a small - cheap - car to run errands, commute - fabulous mileage - and forego the MINI performance factor.

M
 
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