Don't worry about people's comments!!!! I'm a girl and heard all sorts of things from friends when they heard I was getting a MINI. A friend's wife has had one for about 2 years and he loves it as much as she does. I asked him why he wouldn't get one and he said he would except for the fact that "it's a girl's car" I was shocked at how closed minded he sounded! This is a guy who's not like that at all, but for some reason was steretyping.

Then a good friend of mine asked me if I was positive I'd fit in the car (I'm only 5.5 so nothing out of this world)! I was mad at him for like 2 months. Then he saw the MINI and loved it! Has been dying to go on a ride, but I won't take him till I forget about his mockery

All in all, I wouldn't worry about the comments, but your friends do need to get out more and see how many men drive MINIs. Don't feel bad b/c this type of thing happens all the time - when I was shopping for a car I test drove a Z4 (hated it) but as I was getting in the car this guy asked me why I was test driving that car since he thought only men could!!!!! Needless to say, I was mad at his ignorance! People won't ever seize to shock me.

You'll be happy with the MINI and I'm sure your girlfriends will love it for the looks and the guys for the power! They just need to see what the car can do

 

That's a pretty funny theory. I'm pretty sure that no one with an opinion that stupid is basing it on anything they read in the New York Times, or any other newspaper, for that matter.

 

"lesbian" car. Cripes, people really need to get their heads out of their .........

 

Actually, don't feel alone...MINI owners are labelled OCD, too, simply because of a perceived excessive care in detailing. My own friends simply do not get it...a lot of winking and nodding goes on when I'm late to a dinner engagement after rain shower, or tarry a bit in the parking lot w/ my duster, or leave the office early to spend some quality time at the car wash. I'm not holding my breath that they'll somehow, someday understand...MINI owners are a breed apart (blessed with exceptionally good taste, above average intelligence, and overall good looks)...one just has to accept that fact and move on. Besides, the world would be a darker place w/o MINIs on the road...they should remember that.

 

Especially w/out those 4 driving light bars

 

gokartride - MINI owners are a breed apart (blessed with exceptionally good taste, above average intelligence, and overall good looks)

Right on point!!!!

 

Ahh... I used to have a Z3 and people said the same thing. Some even called it hairdresser's car. What can I say? I am attracted to sexy, cute things that are also sporty. I am attracted to females whether it's a person or a car. If I am attracted to males.... I would surprise many people

 

See they would probably say that to us but 1) it is a mouthful and 2) it does not really come off well as a taunt.

 

I feel sorry for your friends, ignorance can be a real handicap.

But since we’re on this topic, I will say, I notice a lot of… how can I put this diplomatically, matured women driving most of the MINIs I run into. Out of 10 MINIs, maybe one or two will have a dude behind the wheel. Being a dude myself, it’s hard to wave at these fellow motorers and not hear my mother’s voice in the back of my head saying “TWO hands on the wheel!” Don’t get me wrong, hats off to these lovely ladies for breaking away from the chains of boring sedans or god forbid an SUV (and I like anyone who drives a MINI ), but it sure makes me feel like I’m in the ladies club.

 

It aint about the size of the dog in the fight, its about the size of the fight in the dog.

That says it all .. Well said!

Any friend who thinks you're getting a girly car should be escorted to the Mini dealer after you've called ahead requesting a test drive for your friend.

 

Yep, its the same round here in the East Bay. Nearly all pickup trucks and SUVS are driven by women. They claim they feel safe sitting up high and wouldn't consider driving anything as low to the ground as a Mini...So now I'm in a dilemma;If I want to be a 'real' man, what car should I be driving!

 

To anyone who uses "girly" or "girl" or "chick" as a perjorative:

You are right. The MINI is absolutely a "girl" car. You should leave an advanced directive to sell the car posthaste after you use it to run yourself over.

Will this topic never get old?

 

Okay,

You're buying a used MINI, call it a girlie car and offer $2000 off the asking price.

Buy it and mod it like crazy. Be sure to beep loudly each time you pass by the former owner's home.

And now for some real girlie cars-
http://www.savvychick.net/images/sav...ssan-micra.jpg
Nice car, I think I'll buy one for myself
http://www.mybunnies.com/images/babi...side_day32.jpg
For my friends!!

 

I suggest spending more time on the web.
There have been countless threads on personal blogs and major forums on this topic. Almost every one of 'em referred to the article as the sole basis for their "opinion".

 

You never see a MINI advertisement with a girl driving it.

 

most of my friends dont give me a hard time.they know i'm not out to impress anyone.

 

Only yesterday the wife and myself drove past a brand new lexus suv with a v8. And I said we will have a million times more fun, lord knows how much more gas mileage, and a d*** sight more resale value. You buy a car because you like it (in our case love it), and who cares what other people think. "It makes me mad"

 

Anyone have any stats on percentage of MINI drivers who are women? I bet it IS more than, say, Nissan 350Z or Mustang GT. So what? I didn't buy it for my image. I bought it to drive it.

Seems like the only comments or response I get about my car are positive in general -- "We love your car!" or "Take me for a ride!"

--Dan
Mach V
FastMINI.net

 

LOL! Only those of us in multi-MINI families know how much fun that is to do!

 

a lot of people have different perceptions, I've even heard people say that the new Mustang is a teenage chick car, while the old ones were super macho haha

 

My observation is that more women drive the MC, while men play catch up driving equal amounts MCS, but overall more womem for all MINIs. But, then the ages range from freshy license to retirement age. Just a great demographic. Only people that don't like the MINI seem to be homophobes, and some of them are in the closet MINI lovers too. I also notice that I get more gawkers while driving the MINI convertible loaner I'm driving right now. Everyone loves the convertible.

 

Guys who have feelings of inadequacy are the ones who worry about whether a car projects a macho image. If you find someone who has to have a big macho car, you have found a frightened or insecure person. Often machismo and bravado are expressions of fear or insecurity.

Most of my cars -- from an Alfa Romeo to an Acura Integra -- have been "girly" cars. I guess "girls" just have good taste.

I'm a guy.

 

The Business Week article in the General Mini forum has the sales by gender of the Cooper at about half and half and of the S at about 2/3 men to 1/3 women.

 

I can't believe we're having this conversation...

 

Yep, this is a "girly" topic.