I bought an 07 laser blue MCS on a whim. My motorcycling buddy and I stopped at the MINI place two weeks ago. Never seen a MINI up close before and knows almost nothing about MINIs. We asked for a test drive and was surprised when the MA handed us the keys no questions asked. Needless to say I was very impressed. The acceleration was addictive, it was light and agile-almost like my bike (2006 Yamaha R-1). I picked up "Sonic" later that day. Two weeks and 1300 miles (my commute to work is only 10 miles round trip) later I still have that lobotomized idiot grin on my face.

Now a question for you guys and gals who carry a child as a front passenger. My daughter is about 55 lbs. The passenger airbag sometimes deactivates and sometimes not. Anybody here seen that happened?

 

I have no kids but I do have a FZ1 and would have to say both of these machines are a blast. Only wish the cooper could do the same 0-60

 

I *think* the activation occurs at 65lbs, but check you owners' manual...
FYI, if I throw my work bag (~5-15lb) on the seat, a bump on the highway sets the 'deactivation' light off...

 

Congratulations on the car, I can relate on similar purchasing stories...

 

how tall is your daughter, i heard that if they are under 4' 9" then they need a booster seat, and in that case she will have to go in the back.

 

Nice car!
I am a rider as well. It is amazing how addictive it can be to drive the mini, especially coming from a bike that has very quick acceleration and handling. (kawi zx6)

You may find that your bike is sitting at home more and more...

 

and a good buy. Welcome to MINI ownership and a couple of very nice rides.

Great contrasts on your MINI and the R-1 in your photos. I like yellow and blue side by side.

Not sure on your daughter in the front seat, but check the laws in your state and pick the safest spot. I'm sure she enjoys the MINI. Have you had her ride with you on the R-1?

 

Congrats on the new Mini! My wife and I ride too. My wife and I got rid of both of our sportbikes ('05 GSX-R750 me, and '04 ZX-636 wife). We've been bitten by the supermoto bug.

My wife loves her MCS. About the only way I get to drive it is by sneaking it.

 

[FONT=Arial]Children 12 and under should ride in the rear seat. Riding in the front seat, even with passive disarmament of the air bags, increases risk of injury by about 33%. So there are ethical concerns with a parent who allows their child to ride in the front seat because of personal preference or laziness. If you must have your child ride in the front seat, be sure they are restrained appropriately and that the vehicle seat is as far back from the dashboard as possible. Since your daughter is probably 6 or 7, you've got a few years to go. I have a 2 year old and 2 grown kids - trust me, it's worth the effort and I assure you the kids won't know the difference, especially in the MINI where they'll practically be on your back anyway. Enjoy your car![/FONT]

 

Good impulse buy. I can't really help with the airbag question. Welcome.

 

My mini will probably be the closest thing to riding a motorcycle I ever do. Kinda sad.

 

Put your child in the back seat. I drive with my 2 year old in the front with a car seat. But the air bag turns off. Yours is too small to risk the airbag exploding. I put my 6 year old in the back, much to her dismay. She still has a blast riding in the MINI, looking out the sunroof. Enjoy yourself. I took delivery in February and still never forget that I am driving a hell of a sports car (even if other people don't know it.)

 

I have a 25 pound dog who sets off the front seat passenger alarm. Also heavy grocery bags do it as well.

 

Both my kids are a little bit larger, around 75 lbs, and we have not seen the airbag light lit up.

 

The Laser Blue / White roof will get you every time !Going in all I knew is Yahoo Auto's had it second on its green list of gas powered cars ,and I always liked the look of Mini's since I was a kid .One test drive and one night to think about it and I was sold .8 months and 8000 miles and I still have the stupid grin !

 

FYI, I'm not sure what the law is in other states, but in CA: you MUST have a carseat if your child is at under 6 yrs old -or- under 60 lbs.

 

You guy are right, I shouldn't be putting my precious daughter in the front seat anyways. I just get lazy sometimes.
Now I have another problem-my bikes are mad at me. I've been neglecting them since I brought Sonic home. I probably will not be spending anymore quality time with them til next spring-they started salting the canyon roads where I ride.

 

[quote=SonnyB;1822550]I bought an 07 laser blue MCS on a whim. Two weeks and 1300 miles (my commute to work is only 10 miles round trip) later I still have that lobotomized idiot grin on my face. [quote]

SonnyB,

Congrats on the MINI and welcome to NAM!

Don't you wish that all impulse buying was as sweet.

LB/W MCS looks sharp. Hope that you and Sonic share many smiles and miles together!

Oh and BTW, get used to the grin, owning a MINI makes it a permanent thing!


Enjoy & Motor On!

 

haha congrats on your mini.

i did the same when i put my order in for my 07. i wanted to save up around 8 to 10k for my down but instead i just went on ahead for a 5k down instead. i just wanted that car so badly hahaha

again congrats to ya!

 

Congrats on the Impulse Buy! I did the same thing with my 02' MC over 2 1/2 years ago and I just did it again almost 3 month ago when I traded her in for a used 03' S.
Good Luck and Motor On!