A mate's wife got a Cooper about 9 months ago as she really wanted one. It replaced a Focus as the shopping runabout for her and the 2 kids, the main family car being a Merc ML. Last time I spoke to him about it just before Christmas she was getting rid of it in favour of a Golf. She loved the Mini but it was just too impractical with 2 young kids.
I don't have kids, but I also have access to a Honda HR-V (wife's car) and my own short wheelbase 4x4 for times when the Mini's dismal packaging is an issue. Don't take that as me being down on the Mini, but really apart from the front seats there is a ludicrous amount of space in the car; no legroom in the back to speak of and a tiny boot. Compare it with any similarly sized car you care to name (Micra for instance?) and I really don't know what they did to fill the external dimensions with so little space inside the Mini.
Bottom line it's a great car and won't disappoint in quality after the VW but be very sure it's big enough for your needs before you commit. FWIW I'm a bit out of touch but £2k does sound cheap for the Golf. |