[GregF]

As ska_face stated, the depth of the seats is not ideal for small children since the seats were designed for adults. So the front seats need to be positioned towards the front for ideal comfort (for the kids). A booster with a seatback will help the small legs go down somewhat more straight, but otherwise "indian style" as mentioned in a previous post works okay. As my children get bigger, they'll actually fit in the car better.

[hals]

Probably not what you want to hear, but I couldn't have justified a MINI without having a larger "family car" (Passat wagon) in addition. Remember, kids grow big quicker than you think. My son is 13, but is now 5'9", as is my wife. My daughter is 8, and about 4'8". I'm 6'2". Three of us fit in just fine, but all 4 of us requires one of the adults to be cramped. No problem for short trips, but I wouldn't want to travel for longer than an hour or two.

With just 3 of us, my daugther loves the back seat. She often sits cross-legged, but I share the concern that this might not be safe. BTW, it's not just the leg room that's an issue: When a front seat is at its lowest position (the most comfortable for me) there is no room for feet to fit underneath it!

Also, the MINI isn't the easiest car to get out of from the back seat. My son complains each time, although he loves the MINI.

So, I've never regretted the purchase because I'm the sole occupant about 75% of the time. Another 15% it's me and one of the kids. About 10% it's just 3 of us, and well less than 1% it's all 4. But that's because we have a 2nd car.

Sorry for the long response! Good luck with your decision!

[Guuyuk]

I have myself (5 ft 9 in), my wife (5 ft even), our 2 year old daughter, and our 1 month old son. My wife's only requirement for getting the Mini was that I could put two car seats in the back seat. They fit, so I have it!

It's a somewhat tight squeeze since the baby carrier for our son sticks forward more than I expected, so I have to move a couple of notches closer to the steering wheel. I may switch him (currently sitting behind me) and my daughter around in the back seat. That way, I should have a bit more room.

I used to have a Miata, but the Mini gives the family two cars we can travel together in now (wife's car is a Saturn SL2).

[Speedd]

I had 3 BIG kids at the back just the other day and yes i did have to compromise my position but as long as the legs moved the was there.

I can't see the liddle kids having any problems and when we decide to have our own liddle'uns i still plan to keep the MINI for the better half. Hopefully have an S by then

good luck

[monica]

Quote:

Originally posted by hals
... Remember, kids grow big quicker than you think. My son is 13, but is now 5'9", as is my wife...

WOW! most of the men I've dated were barely 5'9" I swear if my son EVER hits anything over 5'6" I will give up any car I'm driving to charity and spend the rest of my days driving FORD Pinto. Honest. He's that small.

Quote:

Originally posted by hals
... the MINI isn't the easiest car to get out of from the back seat.

I think most people that are putting kids in car seats are doing the one foot in, bent over thing. Am I right? Luckily I can fit entirely into the backseat foot area, squat down and buckle my son in and crawl out like a spider hatching out of an egg. At least that's the effect someone said it resembled. It's like most people don't even realize there is a back seat and they see me put my son in then follow him, fold myself up and then reappear sans child. Then they see me open up the boot and load up tons of stuff. I am a Master Loader and Stuffer.

[goobot]

I have 2 kids, 4 and 6. They fit with no problem.

The only "compromise" I've made is keeping the seat height towards the upper limit. When the front seats are lowered they lean towards the rear of the car and severely limit rear leg room.

As long as I keep the seats raised somewhat I have all the leg room I could want (I'm 5'-7") and the kids have plenty of room.

In fact, I took my son test driving with me (he's the 6 year old). We drove an Acura TSX and the MINI. The TSX had lots more room for him in the back but when I asked him his opinion, he wanted the MINI. He said it was "funner." The rest is history.

Such a great kid...

-gb

[IQQIMINI]

I have one due in 6 weeks. Does that count?

[swamos]

Ive got one due in November?? Honorary membership, perhaps ??

[Dave]

If you're vertically challenged and need to move the seat forward radically to reach the pedals, and your spouse, likewise prefers to have his/her head about 6 inches from the dashboard then I think the MINI is an outstanding family car. However, I'm 5' 11" (not particularly tall) and my 6 year old son, who has to ride in the back by law, doesn't have room for his legs behind my seat.

We have 4 kids (16, 14, 6 and 3) and we have 4 cars (Suburban, Accord, Elantra and MINI S). Everyone loves the MINI - for short trips.


Dave

[shkeller55]

I have a 12 year old and a 16 year old. The 3 of us can fit in it OK, but if there are 4 of us (like if my wife is coming along) it's easier to go in the SUV or the van. Kind of depends on the size of your kids. If they're big and/or you have enough of them, you may need an additional form of transportation that has room for more people (and all their stuff).

[CUTiger3]

My 8 year old daughter loves the MINI, but for long trips (3 hrs +) we take the wife's Volvo.

[Mini_me]

space in the back is directly related to hight of the front seats. Being not to tall and having a fairly short body / long legs means I tend to have the seat a bit higher. This give loads of room in the back. The most dificult situation is with the 2 big child seats we have (the one for kids of 9 - 18 KG with a big frame etc.) Managable but a bit of a queeze. The tiny baby carseats/carryseats are fine, as are the 'booster seat with a backrest' seats (for when they are older).

Once they are past that stage there is nothing to worry about (at least with my driving position). We had 4 adults in recently on a 2 hour journey/daytrip with no problem at all.

[bljppi]

I am 6' 1" and my first thought after my test drive with my 6' tall 14 year old in the back seat was: Has no one ever put a sideways jump seat in the back. I believe the Boxter and some King Cab Pickups have sideways seats.

[rica_roel]

I will be a father in 1 month, same question I hade in past days, my wife says that will will never fit on the MCS for the trips a eventually make on weekends to a place call Valle de bravo 1:30 ride, nice weather, the road is fantastic, million curves, perfect road for a Mini, I hope I will educate mi wife and I on taking only the necesary things (pampers, stroller, bed, etc,etc,etc.) and even if you forget something or you run out there is always supermarkets stores open.

First time father, I hope I can mix my little new girl and my mini.

Cheers¡¡¡¡¡

[EandJ]

7 year old girl and 5 year old boy with no problem. The only issue is that the back set is so deep that there legs do not fold down at the same point as an adult. I think a person with longer legs might be more comforatable. The youngest is still in a booster seat and this helps so his feet are not in the back of the seat.

The kids in fact love ridding inthe MINI and are happy when I leave it home and take the other car for comuting.

The trick I found is to keep them exitecd about the car and involve them in the decisions about colors and options.

My son rode over 200 miles today in a mini rally with 25 other cars and did not complain once about anything exept that is was cold when we set off (-5 degrees F at 5:am).

Do not worry the kids will love it.


Eben

[slegorreta]

Congratulations Rica_Roel! I didn't know you were about to be a father...

I have a 11 month old daughter as well and I can tell you she loves the MINI. My wife loves it too and there is plenty of space for us three, plus the typical baby stuff (including the stroller and mom's shopping)...

Cheers and see ya soon!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by rica_roel

I will be a father in 1 month, same question I hade in past days, my wife says that will will never fit on the MCS for the trips a eventually make on weekends to a place call Valle de bravo 1:30 ride, nice weather, the road is fantastic, million curves, perfect road for a Mini, I hope I will educate mi wife and I on taking only the necesary things (pampers, stroller, bed, etc,etc,etc.) and even if you forget something or you run out there is always supermarkets stores open.

First time father, I hope I can mix my little new girl and my mini.

Cheers¡¡¡¡¡

[johnlondonw3]

All depends on hight and distance to travel,I had 3 teenagers in the back,all about 5 10" plus my wife and me in front,it ws OK but not if you are travelling long distances,we never do so no problem

[Fevs]

we have a 3 year old son and he is obsessed with minis, he gets really excited whenever we go anywhere! we got a mini car seat which he is really comfy in and we found a buggy that fits in the boot (kids kargo if anyone needs one!). he keeps all his toy minis in the pockets and we have the tinted windows so we dont have a problem with glare in the back. as far as we're concerned if you plan ahead and dont take everything everywhere with you there is no problem with having kids in a mini.
kids can have mini adventures too!!!!

[AmRov]

My 7-year-old daughter loves it. You can see her peering out of most photos in my gallery (taken when I first picked the car up). She thinks it's the "most beautiful car in the world," and loves helping me wash it. She also screams "Look out: Cooper on the loose!!" when I drive, b/c she thinks I drive like a "maniac." Make that MINIac!