It sounds so dumb and immature (when I'm being rational and not in "crazy MINI-mom mode"), but getting a wave - either in return or somebody else initiated- really makes my day.

 

On Saturday on the way home from the Farmer's Market, a BRG/W with white bonnet stripes waved, I waved back just as enthusiastically.

That evening my wife went to the movies with a friend and her daughter, and the daughter, who calls the MINI the coolest car and loves it when I give her rides. spotted a MINI in the parking lot. A couple of leaders from my Boy Scout Troop also do some spotting, and wave when they think it's me. Usually it isn't, which is kind of funny when I think those MINI motorers are wondering that they're getting waved at by non-MINIs.

CROC 411

 

You want waves? Our Mini club met at the West End Overook here in Pittsburgh and got a sheriff's escort all the way across town (4 miles, urban). to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. We (legally) ran the redlights and stop signs, everything. Almost 70 Minis, all different colors, all showing up at the same time.

WE... got waves. Lots of them. We got slack-jawed expressions. We got a Ferrari driver who merged in with our convoy and was politely asked to leave - by the Sheriff! We got the finger from an Escalade driver (figures...). We are still the only car club who shows up en masse to the PVGP, and the other car clubs look forward to the parade! What a riot!

So... waving is NOT dead in Pittsburgh!

(HUGE thanks to Mini of pittsburgh who helped PittStopMINI to put this whole thing together!)

 

I resemble that comment!
I just took delivery from Harach last Friday and have been pleased with the amount of waves and headlight flashes I have received.

 

I used MPG as my starting point at looking at a Mini. I have a 100 mile commute and needed something that made sense with $4+ gas. I placed my order for an S coupe and started browsing the Forums. I have always been a car enthusiast, and was pleasantly surprised at the strong community. It made the 6 weeks very agonizing! It was an easy trade-off to switch from the Audi to the Mini community.

I love this car, and the heritage that goes with is.
BTW: I wave all the time.

 

PRA4SNW: Be careful - you'll find yourself waving at Minis when you're driving a non-mini rental car, or your family's Mini Support Vehicle... I've been on both the giving and receiving end of those waves!

 

LOL!
It sounds like a hard habit to break!

 

I am in the classic toyota truck we use for beat up trailers carrying beat up pieces of crap to get fixed. I wave at Minis even though mine isn't in yet/ I think people look at me like I am crazy. Wish I had my mini so they would wave back!

 

I try to wave at other Minis whenever possible, even when driving the Hubby's Shelby GT500. I think some Mini drivers think I'm being smart. If their windows are down I yell over that my Mini is home alone in the driveway.

 

See, this is exactly why I've been trying to come up with either a magnetic badge (for the side of the - MINI Support Vehicle - I'm stealing that phrase, by the way, it's GREAT!) so that people know you actually ARE a MINI driver in disguise. Or a static sticker... hm.....

* WARNING: OWNS A MINI, WAVES TO OTHER MINI DRIVERS :WARNING*

 

x uh oh x, that's Brilliant! You have my permission to use my phrase "Mini Suport Vehicle", and its derivative "MSV"

JulianPike, you need to add bonnet stripes to your Mini Support Vehicle!

 

WARNING: I BRAKE (and wave) FOR MINIS.

What about that one for a sticker?

 

I've contacted a vinyl guy (Fred Goode for those who know him here on NAM) about making a static cling sticker like that, so he's looking into it...but I wanted one for the MINI and one for my "MINI Support Vehicle" to maybe prevent some of those crazy looks.

Xymox - I'd agree, except...do MINIs really WANT to "brake???"

 

How about just this?



or this?

 

Just bought a "Save the Wave" magnetic grille badge from Cooper Flags! I also bought the double boot badge holder and I think I'll put it there so any Mini owner (or Mini owner not driving their Mini at the time) will get the message!!! I also bought the "Save the Wave" window decal, too...need to get the message out!

Years ago I drove a Jeep CJ7 and we waved at each other, so I am a huge fan of the "culture" attached to the vehicle I drive!!! Makes life more fun on the road!!!

Hey everyone! Buy a "Save the Wave" badge and/or sticker!!!!!

 

My grandma has a wave / acknowledgment for you, if you are longing for such. Yeah... she has big hands.

 

For months I have passed a MINI near my work (going to or coming from) and waved at the young lady (early to mid-twenties) consistantly. No response. But I always wave.
Finally, yesterday -beautiful sunny day, windows down, stereo up, Pink Floyd cranked, grin at full extension- I flapped my arm at her again.
Whoa! She flips me the peace sign and grins!! W00T!
Persistance pays off. Hopefully she'll pass that wave on to the next MINI she sees. I figure with the number of MINI's on the road, if I wave at every one I see (and I do try -I've been doing it for the last six years), sooner or later my wave will travel from here on the west coast all the way across America to someone on the east coast.
Whoever gets that wave: Hi! from Skip. Like your car.

 

Are you sure it was a peace sign?

Only kidding. Hopefully she keeps it up.

Ive been trying to get one to wave at me for a couple of weeks now but she is always on the phone (that pisses me off, but that is another story). Maybe someday I will find were she works and leave a note on the window.

 

Include on the note the info on the high accident rate for phone yakkers...
You'll be doing her (and others around her) a favor.

 

I drove from Charlotte, NC to Tampa, FL and back this weekend. I encountered almost 25 minis.

I waved at all of them and only received 3 waves. Of course, highway driving isn't the most conducive place to expect waves.

Mark

 

It's been tough for me to get a wave here around nyc. Only a handful of reciprocated waves so far in a year. I'm guessing it's cause there are so many mini's now, and most of the new drivers don't know the protocol. They seem bewildered or bemused when I wave. I was becoming wave shy, and of course, I see a mini ahead and decide to keep both hands on the wheel only to feel horrible as he gives me an enthusiastic wave that I couldn't return before he pased.

 

That's EXACTLY what happened during my trip. I saw another mini, had the phone in one hand and the steering wheel in the other.

Of course, this would be one of the few that waved... I did manage to get a wave out but I'm sure it was missed.

 

This weekend, while motoring on the highway, I caught some motion from the corner of my eye. The passenger of the passing Chevy Trailblazer had whipped around in her seat to get a better look at Piper and me as they passed. Thought to myself: "Ah, future motoring buddy" and gave her a smile and a wave. Her entire face just lit up in a smile and she waved back. I think it made both our days.

Just put out some good vibes.

 

I was making a right curve/turn (yield right of way), and there was a white car - couldn't determine the make, but it was new-ish - with a lady who was sitting at the light to turn onto the road I just came from...watching my car with SUCH avid fascination, and she had SUCH a *HUGE* grin on her face, I couldn't help but smile & wave. She waved back with such enthusiasm, I had to laugh. She almost missed the green light! Talk about good vibes!

 

You guys bring up a very good point.... I noticed many, many times I'll be sitting at a traffic light and happen to look over and the person next to me is staring at the mini... usually pointing and talking to someone else.

It's really kind of wierd, they're checking it out like they've never seen one before.

I think as gas prices continue to rise, more and more people are in "cars with good gas mileage" mode and are becoming increasingly aware of what's out there.

The last time I got this kind of attention, I was driving a friend's $300,000 lamborghini. You couldn't go ANYWHERE without people staring.

The other thing is I'm actually surprised how many "thumbs up" or "nods" I get from other guys while checking out the car.

After I sold my Corvette, I got into the Miata thing and no man would ever give me the nod but with the Mini, I get it all the time.

Mark