Have had my MCS for a month now, and while I love the drive (motor) there's been something that felt strange that I couldn't put my finger on.
It dawned on me the other day - the MINI is big inside, at least relatively. Having driven a CRX for 18 years and a Miata for 10, the MINI is the biggest car I've ever bought for personal use. :smile:
In the CRX my hair was just below the headliner, and on a bad hair day it actually touches - good thing I didn't have it in the 70's!
I couldn't drive the Miata on the track with the top up, because my helmet would hit the roof. No such problem in the MINI.

It must be because the roof is tall, combined with the windshield being well forward of the cab, and actually having a back seat.

I wonder if I'm the only person who thinks of the MINI as a 'big car'??

 

You're not the only one.

Here's a thread I started on the subject a little over a year ago:
MINI should be more mini

As I said in the thread, I'd like it if the MINI were actually smaller - maybe 10 to 12 inches shorter and 8 to 10 inches narrower.

 

Ample head room was a big reason I got a Mini (I'm 6'5"). I went w/o the sunroof for extra room.

When people ask about the car their first question is "How do you fit in there?" Very well, thanks.

 

Being the only one who drives my MCS it’s always seemed large enough for me. The only time it starts getting cramped is when the 4 extra tires and other racing gear goes in back for a track day. :smile:

 

MINIs are famous for being tiny on the outside but big on inside space.... definitely true of the classic and, imo, also true w/ our MINIs. I honestly forget how small they appear to surrounding motorists (by American standards) because I'm usually on the inside driving and quite comfy in the spacious interior. (I've even been very comfortable in the back seat on the rare occasion I've relinquished the steering wheel.)

When our local club gets together and the MINIs start to arrive, I'll catch a quick glimpse of an approaching MINI and find myself thinking, "Wow, look at that small car!" Then I realize..."Hey wait, I drive one of those, too!" It's miminutive size catches me a bit off guard.

 

The MINI might be as small as it can be given marketing goals, technology and regulations.

Thanks for the link to another interesting thread. I believe someone back then identified one reason for the "big" size MINI is the need to accommodate 4 persons and meet safety regs (using conventional tech). That is probably the main reason, but, just for example, consider also the size of wheels and tires. Even the smallest model 4 person Japanese cars (not available in the USA) these days are about the same length as the MINI.

I used to have a Mini and did not realize (way back then) that it was tiny. Although not as small as a Mini there were a lot of dinky Japanese cars around then (such as the Daihatsu 360 and Fiat 850) and small sports cars did not seem much bigger. And back then there were still other Minis on the road! So I did not feel out of place. But when I look at a Mini now I cannot believe I used to squeeze into such a tiny box (have I gained weight?) because nearly every car has gotten more bulky. I haven't looked it up, but I bet the Lotus Elise is not much smaller than the original Elan, if at all.

Happy motoring in your big MINI.

 

That is the one thing that bothered me with the MINI's that I test drove. My wife and I have wanted a Miata for years but with two small children the convertible MINI won us over. The one thing I liked better about the Miata was that I felt like it fit me like a glove. In the MINI there is just so much more space around me and so it does not feel as sporty. It makes me almost feel like a little kid inside of it and I am nearly six feet tall. I definitely would not mind a little more snug fit.

 

I'm a big guy. I wanted a car that was big inside, but not necessarily big outside. Then MINI came along. Problem solved.

 

They are refering to the trunk when you call it a Mini, that holds about 2 things.


Howard

 

i gotta say, i would like to not have to REACH to change my rear-view mirror. The head room in it is huge. Should it be? Each to his own....i would like less room.

 

Put on some weight!

 

Remember, The original was banned from import by the DOT because it was deemed to small and there fore a death-trap. If it was any smaller I would fear that some bed-wetting hand ringer would be calling to have them banned again because of the big mean SUV's

 

I'm puzzling over the sunroof = less headroom thing? I'll have to go drive a sunroof-free model, to check it out? Is there ANY difference in headroom, let alone a sigNIFicant difference?

Maybe when I can go test drive an MCSa, it will be one with no sunroof. Heck, I'll just have to force myself to take TWO cars out for tests. God bless my MA.

Curious,
Tatt

 

LOL now that's a colorful turn of phrase:

bell-ringing hand-wetter!

Motor on

 

I'm like the original poster--moved up to a MINI after driving a CRX for 14 years. I tell everyone I bought a bigger car.

 

I think the sunroof free models have about an extra inch or so of headroom.

 

If I remember right about why its import here was halted -- I thought I had heard and read that it was because of the increased emissions and safety standards here in the US, and Mini would have to make substantial changes to meet them, so bowed out. I don't think it was due to its size. When I first got my MINI I was a little intimidated by the SUV's, but now I know more about the MINI's strength and not concerned anymore. The MINI is actually quite heavy for its size. Just close the door and see how solid it sounds. It's about 2500 to 2600 lbs, and compare that to the other "small" cars which are 2200 lbs, i.e., Miata, etc. It's small and solid, and holds up very very well in accidents.

 

The smaller and lighter you make the car, the more you will be compromising its safety integrity.

MINI, leave the car the way it is. If anyone wants a smaller "Mini" there is a supply of classics in the market place.

 

Agreed Cooper4us -- please leave as is. However, reports are that it will grow slightly. By how much? hmmm Maybe a few inches is all I hope. :smile:

 

If anything, the next gen R56 MINI will grow a few inches long but not by much. I am talking about variants such as the Traveller station wagon that will be offered as a 5 door.

 

It's easy to think of it this way... the Mini is a bigger car with the ends chopped off.

 

I'm not clamoring for a smaller MINI, just a bit surprised at my own revelation that it feels like a big car. When I want small (and/or topless) I take the Miata. :smile:
I can't imagine needing more headroom. I even jacked my seat up and (@6') I still have an entire hand width between my head and the edge of the sunroof. At the last pulley party there was a 6'8" (!) guy who also had a sunroof.

I also laugh when people ask if I feel safe in the MINI. Again, compared to my 1,800lb CRX, I tell them the MINI is 800lbs(!) heavier, and it's all safety equipment. (but I know that at least 100 of it is in the S-lites! )

 

I'm 5'-8" 160 lb.I have my seat lowered all the way,seat back fairly upright,and my left leg is slightly bent when the clutch is depressed,and I can "break" my wrist over the top of the steering wheel and still have a slight bend at the elbow.I like the head room,I can reach everything on the dash without leaning forward,and this seating position gives me room to tweak things on long motors to help with fatigue.
Big folks get in the cockpit,and are amazed how much room they have.
It's been 30 years since I owned a classic,and over ten since I've sat in one.
This is a different car,bigger in and out,way more comfy IMO,and I have never felt safer in any other car or truck I have owned.
I like it,fits me well,and fills my needs

 

I, too, am amazed at the room inside our MINI! I drive a Suburban (well, until it sells which will hopefully be soon) and thought for sure when I sat in the mini I'd be claustrophobic. Boy was I shocked. I'm a shorty (5'3") and have TONS of room in the MINI. I love it when people say "how can you drive around in such a Little car" I just grin

 

I'm 6'4" and get that a lot. Then I tell them that I can't even sit with the seat all the way back.