Hi, newbie here. My wife just got a clubman.
My question is and I DO NOT mean this as an insult, but can a man drive a mini s? I am seriously considering one.
I am sure most here had some second thoughts when buying one or after.

I am just curious what society thinks. Yes, I know I should not care. But in reality we all care. So what do you folks think? Any unusual stories?
I realize this is a Mini board so I am not looking for “oh come on, this is the best car ever”, just looking for some objective opinions from folks who might have though similarly.

Thanks

 

If you buy a car based on what other people think, you should make a poll and go with the more popular regardless of what you like.

A mini has very good steering feedback, good handling, decent torque an in my opinion very good styling but that is subjective.

I like sleeper cars a lot, I wouldn't consider the mini a sleeper but I bought it because it's fun to drive. Maybe you should ask yourself ¿What I want in a car?

 

Based on your question, you probably want to go buy a Camaro, Mustang or Challenger.

Those are certainly, overtly manly cars, (and no doubt fun in their own V8 muscle car, tire-shredding way). What, will your friends/family mock you out for driving a MINI? Do they consider it a girly car?

But I know lots of manly, hetero men who PROUDLY own MINIs, (myself included). I didn't give it a second thought. The MINI is THE MOST FUN CAR I've ever driven, hands-down. Have you test-driven one yet?

If you enjoy driving, really, actively driving, you owe it to yourself to consider MINI. It handles amazingly, it scoots in and out of traffic, and it's terrifically peppy.

Do not let others dictate what you drive. Have confidence in your decision, and go ahead and get the car that you want. Anyone who may mock you doesn't know how fun they are to drive, and are ignorant.

 

Seriously, I see people of all shapes and sizes driving Minis and they all have one thing in common: a smile on their face. Where I'm located, the Mini isn't exactly an uncommon sight. If anyone were to give you trouble because of the car you drove, they honestly probably don't appreciate or understand cars very much in general, much less a car like the Mini. While this might pertain to classic Minis, these cars have a racing heritage. Even the New MINI is legit. If you are looking for a sporty car that's small, fun to drive, and not exorbitantly expensive, Mini is a solid choice. If you are worried about the "Man Factor," Mini's come in several "manly" colors right off the line. I'm not even going to mention all the ways you can customize it to your liking, even after you have your Mini. You're going to find a lot of men on this board, in addition to all the ladies. That being said, do what you're most comfortable with and make sure you love what you drive. Maybe you should take your wife's Mini out for a few more test drives and see how you feel. Good luck!

 

Hear, hear Alphar! I most certainly agree with your sentiment. As a chick, I'll add my POV. When I see a man in a MINI I assume no judgement, in fact, it delights me, PURE delights me. If anything, I may think, "Man, this guy must be fun!" or "He must care about gas consumption, I dig that! (I'm sounding like my mom everyday!)". Have you seen Penn Jillette? He drives two (at least he used to), what he calls 'Stripper-PINK' MINI's (However, this isn't a man known for subtlety)! Dwheelie, I've learned that life is really short, and in the end, it's none of our business what people think about us. You should be comfortable in who you are, and whoever may or may not make assumptions based on what you drive can just sod off!! So yes, Men can drive MINI's, women can drive MINI's, Intergalactic Space Cadets can drive MINI's, it's what you like! The rest can kiss your grits (a la Flo!). Woo hOo!! So I say buy the MINI already and start lovin' the ride!

Edit: Kudos to MaverickGun & johnnieoh on their insights as well!! Well said fellas!

 

Enzo Ferarri owned a Mini Cooper.

And many other men (as well as women).

 

Steve McQueen owned a MINI, didn't he?

 

Steve McQueen owned a Classic gray MINI. It was his favorite daily driver even over his Porsche.....and he was a "Mustang" guy

 

The people I wonder about - are the ones driving lifted trucks in the city. And I do drive a 2008 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 diesel truck, which sits plenty high from the factory. Why on earth other than little man syndrome or little wennie syndrome do they need something lifted 12" higher? It makes it unsafe - rides like a tank - sucks more fuel - and on and on. Now if you live in snow contry or really ford creeks etc then a modest lift does have purpose.

Now a lowered vehicle - that I like. To each his own!

I already plan to get a MINI S convert to match the wife's hardtop, even though her's isn't even here yet. A fair weather driver that will never have the top up!

 

You need a Prius Dude ! Pink !
Come on man think for yourself! Im told all the time by women = you have a cute car LOL ! My Cooper is a truck & locker room ! My low ride go-kart is almost full of tools & golf clubs Loose golf ***** flying every where ! The Cooper is not your everyday off the car in the states = its a go-kart on wheels ! Many of my friends say lets hit the links & take your Cooper ! I have piled in 3 set of golf clubs / golf pull carts / water jugs / tools of course in my Cooper the other day = drove 2 hrs to play a round of golf on almost no gas and back ! My wife wants my Cooper but i want give it up . Go-Kart on Roids !
El Tiger

 

Count me as another "Mustang Guy" that loves his MINI. I've got 2 Mustangs, a Supercrew Harley Davidson F-150, and the MINI.

Oh, and the only person to ever make a negative comment about my "manliness" because I was driving a MINI was someone with a lifted Chevy truck... One with 2WD and Chrome wheels, no less.

Someone is going to comment on your car choice no matter what it is. Someone may question your masculinity if you have a MINI or Miata, but they'll assume you're whipped or boring if you drive a Minivan or Sedan. Oh, and if you have a "manly" car, like a Mustang/H2/etc., someone is going to think you're compensating for something.

You can't please everybody, so you might as well buy what YOU like.

 

My other car is a Prius which the wife drives. I personally don't care what others think. Proof is, my last car was a Porsche.

 

I agree. Let's be blunt. You seem concerned that some people may think you're gay, and in fact it does happen more with a MINI than other cars.

I suggest you drive your wife's Clubman around town and see how comfortable you feel being seen in it. If you feel apologetic and wanting to tell people "This is actually my wife's car", then MINI probably isn't for you.

You can always put this on the car (spotted in another forum):

 

Yes, people act stupid and call names. But, as mentioned, people acting stupid are thus stupid people (stupid is as stupid does), so their opinions really matter very little unless you choose to let them matter.

So, the answer to your question "can a man drive a mini s?" is yes. Unless that man is uncomfortable with sexuality, in which case you might lean toward the Challengers, Mustangs, and Camaros as mentioned above so you can buttress your psychological lack of well-being with symbolically masculine accouterments.

But I'm sure you're not one of those. So go out and bust that MCS and never look back.

 

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

 

Now I would feel silly in a SMART car.........

Especially on 70 MPH highways where you always seem to see them!

 

 

I appreciate the link to my post in MA.

I tend to agree with most everyone here. If you are THAT worried about what people think about what you drive, you need some self esteem classes or something.

And I also say, both here and while being interviewed after my hot laps at Road Atlanta during the MINI vs Porsche event, that the MINI is the most fun I have had in a car. They rock. Everyone talks to me about mine while I am out and about. They like these cars. Funny thing is, it is mostly guys in big trucks that show an interest.

 

I just traded in my '00 Camaro Z28 for an '06 Mini Cooper S. 100% Guaranteed, no loss of manhood

 

Men who drive MINIs obviously feel the need to compensate for something.

 

A real man doesn't ask a question like that. He just does what he wants to do.

 

This is as foreign to me as the judge in Louisiana that refused to marry an interracial couple. His excuse, "their children would suffer"...but he added that had black folks that were his friends...he even let them eat at his house. Come on.

I'm a 44 year old gay man. My partner and I both drive a MINI Cooper S and have other cars, including vintage muscle cars so take your chances. By the way, no rainbow flags so be afraid...be very afraid. Retired military...but no rainbows.

 

+1

 

Exactly Johngo! Agreeing on everything here.

DooBahDoo, thank you! Thank you! As a long time Miata owner, I get tired of the negative perception of being gay in the first place (How many times have I got, "Good thing you're a girl in 'that thing', if you were a guy I would've thought you were...". Miatas and MINIs are some of most fuel efficient, fun-to-drive-get-up-and-go cars on the market as we speak. Great Spaghetti Monster!! It's the 21st century! All I can say is this, as a close friend of some marvelously fantastic gay people (both men & women/ What can I say? I work in theatre!), if driving a MINI makes one suspicious of being gay...well then, consider it a high compliment of style, economical value and taste...and well...get over yourself! Besides, in the end...it's a freakin' CAR (and dare I say it? A fabulous one at that)!! Not a lifestyle change!

 

A-freakin'-men!!!