Comments on: Kicking Tires 2007 MCS Review

By: Ernie Oporto

Ernie Oporto — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:34:28 +0000

With my wife, myself, and our 4 year-old in it, we get the same amount of groceries in it that we used to fit in the back of our minivan. Haven’t touched the minivan for any trip requiring less than the five of us. The 12 and 17 year olds get to fight over who will get to be the 4th one in the mini, and who gets to stay home. =) Some people know fun.

By: Brandon Haller

Brandon Haller — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:44:30 +0000

We got rid of our minivan for our 2005 MINI Cooper S. We have driven with our two children (7 and 10 yrs old)all the way from VA to RI and back three times now (7 to 9 hours each way). They don’t complain a bit. This car is way more fun on road trips than our minivan was. We haven’t looked back at our decision (though we may consider the Clubman for a bit more room).

By: Motoring Advisor

Motoring Advisor — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:04:27 +0000

That review BLEW!

The MINI always loses out when the automotive press starts talking about practicality, yet they are always comparing it with 4-door transportation appliances.

The MINI is practicial. I have a wife and child. I carry stuff in it.

Everyone seems to want to think BIG.

By: Dave T.

Dave T. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:01:54 +0000

The whole point of his follow up story was that the mini isn't really for the suburban dad. The first time he had it he just had it overnight and didn't get to fully test it out for long hauls with the kids. The SD LOVES the Mini Cooper. This is all we hear about in the office. I think finding out his kids couldn't go for an hour or two without yelling in his ear saddened him greatly.

We clearly know what it was intended for. Please take the story in context.

By: Edge

Edge — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:13:58 +0000

It's like I have always maintained... the MINI Cooper is a 4-seater car for short trips, and 2-seater car for long trips (including room for luggage).

Everyone I've explained it to that way "gets it", and the car suddenly doesn't seem quite as impractical any more.

By: greg

greg — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:09:30 +0000

This car sucks! I can’t fit my barbells and surfboard in it! Is this review for real? What a jackass.

By: Mark Smith

Mark Smith — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:55:41 +0000

Well chalk one up for lack of knowledge about the seat adjustment. The key when in situations like this is to height adjust the seat at least one and a half to two pulls upward. You then most likely will not have to move forward for the person behind you. I’ve done it plenty of times. I even took two other people on a 4.5 hour trip to D.C. from CT. for my family reunion and everyone was comfy. The R56 is much much better than the R53 in this area.

By: RB

RB — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:41:34 +0000

Claustrophobic would be the word even though I do find the seating OK for short trips when the Ma-N-Law is aboard.

By: glenn

glenn — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:32:53 +0000

The R56 isn’t a long-distance family hauler?!!? Well, knock me over with a feather.

By: msh441

msh441 — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:50:18 +0000

Whining to get out after only a two hour drive?

My 13, 15 and 16-year old nephews whine to get INTO the car when they come visit. Each of them is over the 5-foot mark. I swear, any excuse they can find to go for a ride. It's hillarious.