It's not.

And I say this as a person who really likes that look!!!

My friend had one and it was a HORROR to maintain. Everything kept breaking, small things like the power windows, but just so annoying. They ended up getting rid of it after a few years, and buying a bland SUV, which they're much happier with.

No, sorry.

Anonymous wrote:Those cars get crushed like tin cans in auto accidents. The minis are NOT a good family car.

Beg to differ. Both the previous and 2017 MINI Countryman received 5 star ratings in the Euro NCAP tests. That's pretty astounding. You don't need a massive car for it to protect you. It just needs to be well engineered.

I looked at the Mini Countryman two years ago. I had always wanted a small fast/quick car that handled well, and given an unfavorable medical diagnosis, it seems like now or never.

The countryman is a 4 seater. It is small. It could be ok as a second car, but not as a primary car. In my case, I cross shopped the Countryman Turbo with a Focus ST and a VW GTI. I ended up with the GTI: less money, better handling, and more interior room.

As a man, you aren't convincing me that a Mini anything is a good family vehicle.

Those cars get crushed like tin cans in auto accidents. The minis are NOT a good family car.

how did it work out OP?
I hope you got your mini!
I had one with two kids when they were littler but after they got to be taller with longer legs the leg room in the back was not enough for them. This was the regular mini not the Countryman. I am car shopping again and considering the Countryman... have not test driven yet but when I do I will bring my kids and their opinion as to the leg room in the back seat will be a determining factor on this as a choice. They have outgrown booster seats so that is not a concern and my daughter always sits in front.

I am not one of those "buy in bulk" sort of people so the cargo space was always enough for me with my mini cooper. I was able to fit our beach chairs in the back, etc. -- As for hauling other people's kids around to soccer games... that did not factor into my buying decision.

to the woman who took a bunch of crap for expressing her honest feelings, I am sorry! I appreciated where you were coming from with your comment. We, as a society, seem to be going in the direction of needing to wear a helmet just to walk down the street. It gets to be absurd. I am sure your husband did his due diligence.

The other cars I am considering are the Ford Escape and The VW Tiguan. I test drove the Tiguan already and LOVED it. It was very fun to drive. The longterm reliability of VW as a brand has me considering a lease rather than buying outright. Probably the same for the Mini as well although the Mini I already owned never gave me a moment of trouble.