Mini, children and prams

[jnettleton]

My wife and I are considering starting a family. Problem is fitting the kid and all its gubbins in the car. Currently have Cooper which I am due to change in Jan next year. If car is too small, I will have to look at something else (VW Golf GTI?).

I want to get another Mini really, so can anyone put me at rest on the whole pram, children thing?

[Rakey]

get a trailer or roof rack, kids love fresh air

[SoggyCornFlakes]

check this forum where the thread is now placed - lots of parents feedback

[lil red mini]

the mini is a great family car!!!!

there are several combinations of prams and carseats that fit in the mini........

read some of the carseat and pushchair threds and you will see just how many combinations there are and theres something to suit everyones lifestyle!
from light quick folding pushchairs to travelsystems to threewheeler offroaders.

KEEP THE MINI !!!

[Anthony_h]

I have a pretty much normal averaged sized stroller and i have to take take the parcel shefl out to fit it in the boot properly, as for the cars seats its just a normal booster seat with a back to it i had to take the head rest off for it to fit correct but the seat shape in my mcs i find makes life a bit difficult as there like a bucket shape and most boosters are made to fit a normal flat seat.
seems like it fits right and solid just but idont realy like it need to look at other seats. but i wouldnt like you to take me view on the child saftey side you need to get yourself to a good retailer and see what fits and is safe with the experts, no matter how many threads and people you might listen to on here or forums that say its fine you should seek seek advise in person from more than just one place.
The question is do you want to put your future childs risk with the info of an online forum or not. Thats not a dig at people thats a seek real advice from trained people you can see and know are qualified.

[mark5]

Mini's and babies dont go together, i have a five month old daughter and shes probably been in our Mini Cooper only half a dozen times. As a family we always use the wifes fiesta 5 door now. if you can get a pram in the boot of your Mini you wont fit much else in like the weekly shop, changing bag etc!
Trying to get a baby in to the back of a mini on your own will probably damage your back and could be dangerous from the babies point of view.Its not an easy manouvre getting a new born 7 pound baby in to a rear facing baby seat in the back of a mini.
Once my wife goes back to work after maternity leave and i have enough money available I will be trading the mini in for a golf or focus myself.
I like my Mini but it doesnt fit in with my life at the moment!

P.S
You wont miss the car, once you have a child nothing else compares.

[davethehearse]

Gotta agree with Mark5.

I have a Clubman but waited until my youngest was a toddler and can climb in himself. I choose the Clubman as it still a Mini but with a rear door & I just dont like the look of the Countryman.

ANY 3 door car is a nightmare trying to get kids in/out and even if your pram fits in the boot (physically check this at Mothercare before you buy a pram as 90% wont fit a mini ), & it means you have no boot space left.

Of course you can compromise on these issues if you really, really love your Mini, & many people do.

But the fact is the Mini was never designed to be a family car and so many other cars do that job so much better. But theyre not Minis

Personally I would recommend you move the Mini on now and buy a 5 door Golf GTI - before the arrival of the baby as believe me you wont want to be tyre kicking with a new born. Then in 3 years time, you swop the Golf for a used Mini JCW F1

[dizzle118]

Our little'un is nearly two, we hit the same decision making scenario when he was born but the missus wanted to keep the Mini.

She in fact prefers loading him into the back of her 3 door opposed to my saloon as you can be face on when loading the chair and not side on as with a saloon. We've used the Mamas and Papas Urbo push chair which fits perfectly in the boot, originally we used the carrier as the car seat which also fit to the push chair (Cybex Aton) with the belt fix base (none ISO Mamas & Papas) and as he out grew that we've now moved onto the Maxi Cosi Priory car seat.

All of which fit rock solid, worst one we tried was Minis own seat....scary how much movement that had.

Hope that helps