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Advice and encouragement needed. I'm in the market for a new (second-hand) car. Had 2 minis in the past R51 & R56, my children were younger then.
They are now 8 & 5, I am worried about legroom etc in the back. Has anyone else got kids of the same age?? I would be using the car for the school run, going to work and school holidays- my partner would have the sensible family car!
My other option is an Audi a3....but I really miss the fun of a mini!
Go for the Mini, the kids will love it. I have done a 100 mile round trip in the back of my mate's Mini Convertible, it wasn't that bad and I am nearly 6 foot so an 8 and 5 year old will go in the back of a normal Mini.
As much as I want to say go for it, I'm going to be the voice of reason here. As much fun as it is, lets be honest it isn't the most practical car for a family.
The legroom is an issue, you can't get more than four in (so no room for any friends) and the boot is a bit tight for shopping etc.
People will say that they could manage for one journey, but the key here is can you manage on a day to day basis?
My heart says mini, head Audi A3!! I don't plan on using it for family outings as we would use my boyfriends car. Obviously an A3 would be cheaper on fuel, I have been using a 1.9tdi vw and using approx £100 per month on fuel and expect the mini to cost more
I can live with the small boot, my main worry is space in the back for the kids!
They are an acquired taste or something that grows on you. They've grown on me.
Also depends on the driving you are doing I you go for a diesel. If its just school runs and shopping it's hardly worth the extra outlay on the diesel and the problems associated with not giving them a good run.
I would go for a Clubman, test drive one, great fun to drive like all Mini's and practical with more rear leg room.....can't understand why some don't get the traditional Mini estate looks inherited from the classic Mini Traveller and Clubman Estates.
What about a MINI Countryman, 4 doors ideal for the family?
Or wait until next year and get a Paceman, that will give you a few weeks to save up the extra few quid?
I wasn't a fan of the Clubman until a couple of months ago. That extra door on the side is practical and being a little longer is good for leg room in the back. I have 2 boys age 4.5 yo and 17 months and it's fine. The trunk is big enough for a big stroller and 2-3 bags. I rarely bring the stroller though. It might be challenging at Christmas when we have to bring the gifts back home, . It's been a month and people are always impressed when they see 2 big kids seats in the back.
I dont know about the kids i think they will agree to the mini been dropped off at school in the cool car street cred an all that jazz . but if yor honest im a big guy and soon to take delivery of my mini convertible and i have no intention on having my wife sat in the front seat with me its going to be my 5 year old and me up fron wife in the back and we have tried it out and she is a fair bit bigger than your average 8 yr old and she didnt mind it one bit plenty of room of course if you have the 8 year old up front they will be able to pull the seat a good way forward allowing plenty of room for the little one so i would always go for the mini over the Audi so many reasons why not many reasons not too. If you can strech to a Cooper d or One d you will save a heck of a lot of money well more than a A3
Happy hunting and post the pics if you end up with the best of the two THE MINI;-)
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. It's been a month and people are always impressed when they see 2 big kids seats in the back. 
