Do yall think the Mini is to small?

[Miniphobea Teen]

Hey guys, I want to know if after bying you Mini, you though it was to small or puney in size. When I see it on the open road, it does not look all that small, but when next to large cars, or even compact cars it looks rather tiny. Because of its size, do yall ever get any stares or bad comments from people?

[cooper4us]

No problems here at all. In fact, when behind the wheel the MINI feels like a much bigger and substantial car due to the comfortable front quarters, rock solid build quality and superb handling plus visibility.

I don't feel intimidated by other larger vehicles in the road when driving it. Ever seen a Mazda Miata, Toyota MR2 or Hyundai Accent? Those are tiny sized cars. The MINI is the shortest car in the road, but it is also one of the widest too in its size class.

Have you ever seen a classic Mini? When a new MINI and a classic Mini are parked side by side, the old Mini looks like a toy car (Too ridicoulously small!) and the new MINI like a TANK!

I am also impressed by the efficient interior packaging of thew MINI. The car feels bigger inside and it is very deceiving in despite of its exterior dimension. What makes the MINI sizewise different from almost every other car in the road is the short wheelbase. The rest? the MINI is as wide and tall as most Compact cars in its class.

[cooper4us]

The late (Now dicontinued) Chevrolet Metro, Pontiac Firefly (Canada) and Suzuki Swift 4 door sedan and 3 door hatchback models, were the smallest cars on the road and even after the coming of the new MINI to North America, these tiny Japanese microcars continue to be smaller than the new MINI.

Not many people know this little piece of trivia.

[charper]

The only time it feels a little tight is when I am in the passenger seat and someone is in the back seat. The back seat seems fine.

I sat in a Pontiac Grand Prix one time and all I could think was "get this car off of me!" It was about 1/10th of the size on the inside as it was on the outside.

The Mini is perfect

charper

[BrantV]

Quote:

Originally posted by cooper4us
What makes the MINI sizewise different from almost every other car in the road is the short wheelbase.

Shorter than most other vehicles, but actually longer than many other sub compact cars. MINI pushes the wheels to the extreme corners of the vehicle.

It's not too small at all. If anything, my initial reaction was I wish it was smaller like the original. However, inside it does feel quite a bit more roomy and comfortable than the original. It's also probably a lot safer.

Up close, they do look small. However on the road next to Civic's and Accords, it looks like a fair bit of metal. Mostly do to the width and height. They do shrink substantially at night, as there's just two small tail lamps visible.

The way I answer the same question to friends, is that the MINI actually has more interior room than my extended cab pickup, where I can actually reach around and place the palm of my hand on the rear window. A necessity to slide it open. That's not possible in the MINI.

For a car the exceeds all other cars, except two Porsches, through the slalom, it has a much more usable interior space.

If a MINI is small, what about a Boxter? CLK? Z350? Elise? Corvette? Viper?

When I look at a Corvette or Viper I see a fun, but very wasteful car. I see two seats, buried behind a huge engine. Other than the fun it provides, a vast waste. Very inefficient. The MINI will actually allow for 4 adults, and some luggage.

In short, where it counts the MINI is bigger. It holds more than the competing sports cars. Where it needs to be, it also wins for being smaller, easier to negotiate through traffic and park.

As goldylocks would say, "It's just right".

[Milquetoast]

It definitely does not feel like a small car inside. In terms of seating position, the driver is at or above the ride height of most other vehicles (except SUVs and trucks, of course). Whenever I get into my mom's Corolla after being in the MINI, it seems like I'm practically scraping the asphalt. I haven't done the measurements, but I'd bet the bank that I'm seated lower in the Toyota.

[Logan5]

Yeah, it's too small. In fact, I regret buying the damn thing...

Okay, okay. Not it's not too small. Of course, I've never driven anything "large" on a daily basis. Let's see... '74 Beetle, '67 Beetle, '74 Karmann Ghia... and now a 2002 MINI Cooper. Maybe I'm not the one to comment.

I do have to say that it handles like a larger car, and feels like a larger car to drive. I've not had any dirty looks, that I know of.

I'm a little puzzled by the conception that it's a "nostalgia" car. I guess I have a hard time putting it in the same class with a PT Cruiser and New Beetle. I mean, it's only been a short while since the last iteration of Mini stopped being produced. It's not like this is totally foreign to the original. But anyway, that's another thread.

[Sejanus]

I know I'm repeating what others have said, but it really doesn't feel small at all. Get out on the road and I don't feel dwarfed by other vehicles anymore than I would driving a more standard sized car. The only time I ever notice the size is when I look over my shoulder and suddenly remember that behind that back seat is, well, the end of the car. A bit of an adjustment after the station wagon or even the long trunk on the Mustang.

[BillK]

Note that the MINI is built in the UK, and appears to be larger on the inside than it is on the outside. Personally, I think MINI's are really TARDIS's.

I must ask the Doctor about this . . .


(Would you like a Gummy Bear?)

[Sejanus]

Quote:

Originally posted by BillK
Note that the MINI is built in the UK, and appears to be larger on the inside than it is on the outside. Personally, I think MINI's are really TARDIS's.

[Basil]

Quote:

Originally posted by BillK
Note that the MINI is built in the UK, and appears to be larger on the inside than it is on the outside. Personally, I think MINI's are really TARDIS's.

I must ask the Doctor about this . . .


(Would you like a Gummy Bear?)

No plural for TARDIS, one TARDIS, two TARDIS.

Trust me, I know.

[BillK]

I stand corrected. I knew I would be understood though.

[uua]

Quote:

[i] Personally, I think MINI's are really TARDIS's. [/b]

Hmmm, yes, they are often seen with police boxes...

[CHD]

..there's tons of room in my MCS

First time I went for a test drive I put the seat all the way back, assuming that that's where I'd need it..

Got in the car, and had to stretch for the steering wheel!

So that should give you a good idea.

Also head room is fine, it's a 'tall' car and I have plenty of clearance for the brain box.

The boot (trunk) on the other hand is rather compact

But hey, you can always drop that split rear seat for more luggage space, and the fun factor more than makes up for lack of luggage carrying capacity.

Chris.

[nhodge]

rant on

For the love of freakin' god, its a MINI ... its meant to be freakin' small!

rant off



(this is a wink)