This is a plea for tips, hints, and things to watch out for.

I've spent the last decade or so driving a V8-powered 4x4 (Jeep Grand Cherokee, 5.2L V8). As such I've developed some interesting driving habits.

I'm concerned some of these habits may not get along with my soon-to-be delivered 08 MCS with 17" rims and performance tires!

One thing I know I need to re-learn; in the Jeep I don't worry about ground clearance (at least in street driving). Speed bump? What speed bump? Anything shorter than a Lotus Europa doesn't count. I know I can go over speed bumps (and the occasional curb) at speed with reasonable ease; the worst I'll have to deal with is checking front-end alignment more often.

Something tells me I need to be a lot more careful than that with my new Mini when it comes to ground clearance...

On the other hand, driving the Jeep (or other high center-of-gravity vehicle) teaches you that lateral g-forces are to be avoided, at least if you want to keep the rubber-part down. I'm looking forward to the adage "a squealing tire is a happy tire" once again.

I'm also looking forward to better mileage -- even driving like a lead-footed loony, I expect to get about double the MPG of the Jeep. And I've promised myself I'll be good -- at least through the break-in period...

So give me your suggestions on what to do and what NOT to do in moving from the big lumbering thing to the little zippy thing, placing particular emphasis on mistakes that could cost me money!

Cheers--

 

I went from a Cherokee to a MINI. I still haven't really figured this part out.

 

Next time you go to MCDonald an run over and softdrint cut and hear the rubing under just thik that u are not in you jepp..

MC 2

 

I think driving a MINI is like driving a motorcycle (or any small car)...you have to be aware of traffic and other cars because you may be slightly less visible in certain situations. Just drive defensively and don't let yourself get boxed in w/o options. Having said that, MINIs have the power to really engage you more as the driver in the experience of driving, and so really this is all part of the fun. You can be more aware, more engaged, more precise, more strategic about what you're doing on the road.

I'd also add that I find being better can also imply being more courteous rather than less. Nothing is better than using the talents of this little car to make the roads a safer/friendlier place to be. It's part of the MINI persona that folks really respond to warmly.

 

qui vous dit?

 

Great post gokartride!

 

+1

Well said. With my last car I simply drove from A to B and didnt think much. Now when I'm driving I am driving and thinking only of that. I think of the world as my track (but safely and not being crazy). And yes we must be strategic, yet courteous. We are not the ricers that cut people off, we allow them in (unless you can feel the will go 10 mph infront of you then you use strategy and get out of there haha)

 

I agree with above posts. People think just because you are in a smaller car it is ok to ride your tail . Also, I would watch out for hitting the curb. Don't want to mess up your new rims. Same for opening the door close to the curb, tree, pole, etc. The MINI has pretty good ground clearance as far as doors go, but definitely not as high as what you're probably used to.

 

Well, you'll have to get used to the ground clearance, although I'll bet that you will be uber critical and careful about it at first, but with time, you'll become more comfortable and complacent. Try not to be too complacent though.
Other than that, you'll pick up the feel for the car soon enough, and if you want to learn the limits of it's handling, then just push it as much as you feel comfortable, then next time, a little more, and then a little more...Just take it one step at a time.

 

I'm coming from a Tacoma Prerunner for the last 5 years. Picking up my MINI on Friday. Interesting to see that someone else has the same concerns as me about going from not having to care what you hit (or roll over) to being one of the smaller vehicles on the road.

 

What?

 

"next time you are at mcdonalds and run over a cup, then hear it catch and rub along the bottom of your car, you will be reminded that you are not in a jeep."

I think that is what he ment.

 

It will happen!! You will be driving down the road, the person in front of you will be turning right in a big SUV, you will start to go around on the left, and BAM ..... some a**hole will be turning from that road in front of you because they never saw you behind the SUV. Be patient and always remeber that you can make up the lost time in the corners!!

 

On the topic of McDonalds, get used to reaching up at drive-thrus.

 

Driver re-eduation when going from anything to a MINI? How about get used to having fun when you drive. Expect to look forward to going to work and taking the long way home.

Ok, you're looking forward to more practical advice. Ground clearance is definitely one, but I can't think of much else. After I drive my wife's Ford Escape and get in my car, I do drive a little faster (especially on twisty roads of course) and have to get used to the sitting close to the ground perspective, I really don't think I drive much differently.

 

Wow thats some seriously translating talent you've got! I couldn't make anything out of it.

 

I would think the biggest change that you will have to get used to is not being able to see as well when behind other trucks & SUVs. The speed bump thing caught my attention. My MINI is lowered, and one day I went over to a local supermarket near my mom's house to pick up a few things for her. I approached a speed bump there very slowly, basically crawled over it, when my front wheels passed over it I got a horrible thud as the undercarriage slammed down on top of it, haven't been back there since. Those are the only speed bumps I have had a problem with.

 

I think it helps if you've seen the movie "Borat".

My daily driver prior to the MINI was a big, solid-axle 4x4 diesel truck. Since I work on and drive so damn many cars, it was not a shock to my system. The only thing I had to get used to was to stop flying through traffic circles and chasing other sports cars while driving the truck.

The kicker is that the truck would perform remarkably well in those situations.

 

I find I REALLY have to watch myself in the MINI- she wants to go faster than whatever is in front of me, and for the first time in 30+ years of driving, I catch myself tailgating the slowpokes in front! Shame on me!

 

The sad thing is, I understand this. But, then again, when I was in Hawaii, I understood that "boss up" meant "in a state of disrepair."

 

Sad, but true... drive-thrus were built for SUVs and Minivans. Sometimes the people handing you your food will give you a big smile though.

 

Since nobody else has done it yet, her comes the obligatory "driving school" post.

Find your local BMWCCA (BMW Car Club of America) chapter. Yes, it's the BMW club, but they just like driving... See if they hold something called a Car Control Clinic or Advanced Driver Safety Skills School (ADSS). They're one day events that are held in parking lots. Slow speeds, but lots of fun and you learn a lot. Straight line braking, turning and braking, emergency lane change, skidpad, etc. You will learn a bit about the limits of the car in a safe environment.

 

+1

Completely true...i have to commute to school 3 times a week and it's the time I look forward too...also driving to work and anytime that I get to drive is awesome trust me if I could get paid to drive my car (not pizza delivering tho...dont want to smell up the car) then that would be a utopia

 

It's nothing really, I hang out with lots of international students sometimes. They try their hardest at English, but it has gaps, so I've grown accustomed to many styles and forms of English grammar and can find meaning in what others would call jibberish or Engrish.

On to the drive through windows...
I get comments and smiles too, it's just a shame that my type never seems to work at fast food joints.