http://austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?quotesf.htm
Found this surprising quote from the man himself:
"I don't want bloody women driving my cars."

That got me thinking, regardless of your gender, do you consider the MINI a woman's car? I don't. I just see it as a car.

I've visited several other forums in the past. On one forum, they got to talking about what kind of car everyone had. I mentioned I drove a MINI. One person asked me "Do you think it's a woman's car?" I said "Well, a lot of women think it's a cute car but I just loved the brand and decided to get one regardless of who thought it was a "girly" car." For another perspective, my mom, who never likes the cars I drive, thought it was a "really cute car."

Male owners, if someone saw you in your car and said you drove a "girly car," what would you say to them? I'd say that I've seen men driving Mazda Miatas, Geo Metros and BMW Z1 convertibles and I've heard some people call those "girly cars." I honestly wouldn't care what they think. I'd just hop in my MINI and hit the gas. Fuggedabout their opinions!

 

Answer: No.

If I thought the Mini would be considered in any way a girl's car, I never would've bought one. Now if you're a girl, there's no problem.

The car I had before my Mini (2002 Ford Focus) could be classified as a girl's car. Glad I don't drive that anymore!

 

What happened to the women? Why were they all bloody? Was there an accident?...

 

Original and interesting question. Never been asked or talked about before...

 

Anybody can motor in a MINI...that's always been one of the many great things about the car.

 

Nobody's ever said anything bad about my MINI (or before I had it, my desire to own one). Most women call it cute (but I did have one call it 'sassy'...I liked that better) and most men know enough about the brand and the heritage to know that it's more than golf cart.

If anybody ever did call it a girl car, I'd say,"Yes, she is. Her name is Stella. Thanks!"

Now, the Toyota Celica...that's a girl car! Never seen a bloke anywhere near one...

 

It's just a British expression used to describe/exaggerate EVERYTHING.
A few examples:
At work, an English tourist once commented "Nobody's buying a bloody thing! How do you stay in business?"
I've also heard it used as an expression:
Bloody hell! You paid 200,000 Pounds for this car?! You wasted your bloody money! (I guess it's a Briton's way of saying holy ****!)
Another example:
That bloody fool, thought he could outrun the coppers with his 30-year-old car!

If I could, I'd make a motoring badge that has Issigonis' quote with the words: "Female owner" in the middle. And sell it to women only! Would like to see the expression on his face if he were alive today!

 

Women tend to have better aesthetic taste.

 

What part of the vehicle do you look under to check its gender? If I have a 'girlie' car and a 'guy' car, both in my garage, what result should I expect from leaving them alone for the night?

 

Yes...women love it! Especially with the top down.

 

I'd say, "Get in." Then I'd make them pee their pants with a demonstration of the R56 MCS's handling and power. Then I'd make them clean my passenger seat.

Or, alternatively, I'd roll my eyes and not give it another thought.

 

Only when my wife gets up earlier than me and steals it.

 

Well, my wife has an 04 Honda S2000. Some would say that her car is a "girly car". The only reason I might agree is D/T the exterior color is Suzuki Blue, aka baby blue. Otherwise, I really like her S2K. My 09 MCS is a Pure Silver and in no way is a "girly car".

Point being, IMHO it is more the color than the make/model.

 

I disagree. I think the color has little to do with it, unless it's pink.

BTW... I'm a girl, and my MINI is pure silver... does that make pure silver a girly color?

 

NO, I was saying my WIFE'S car being a baby blue leans more to a girly car!

PLUS, I'm a guy driving a PURE SILVER 09 MCS, therefore YOU are driving a "manly car".

 

It's a car for anyone.

Pat

 

WHO CARES! DRIVE IT IF YOU LIKE IT!!!!

 

You obviously haven't met my Emo Girl (my nickname for her, because we got stuck on a stuffed mp3 cd, with the stereo in random mode, with nothing but Radiohead for an hour of the five hour drive home from the dealer). Everyone that has met her has said that they have never seen a car that suits anyone as well as Viola suits me, and I doubt that anyone would ever refer to her as "manly" especially with the rose bracelet she's got hanging from the rear view..

My hubby drives a Glacier Blue Honda CRV.

Maybe... you're the girly one and your wife is the manly one?

It's all a matter of perspective.

 

I read somewhere, and I apologize for not citing the source (can't remember as I'm getting old) that the MINI was designed by BMW as a unisex car.

 

Wow, I'd like to thank you for such a kind & friendly discussion.

Where is that ignore member button?

... found it!

 

Heh. I don't really expect kind and friendly discussions here at NAM. Also I don't understand why people advertise to the world when they ignore someone...

 

This discussion always humor me. At one point in my life I didn't have a car of any type and had to foot it for a while. Believe me when I tell you if you happen to be in that position and finally do get some wheels it won't matter if you think it's girly, manly, or a space ship, as long as it gets you where you need to be. The main purpose for a car is transportation regardless of it's color, muscle, costs, etc, etc, etc.... soooo girly looking or not motor on...

 

I've finally figured the whole thing out...it was so simple I don't know why I didn't see it sooner.

If you are a girl and you own a MINI, then yes, it is a girl's car.

If you are a guy and you own a MINI, then it is a guy's car.

Took me six years but I think I finally got it!!!!!

 

I'm a new member here. Should I expect rude & unfriendly discussions at NAM

BTW, new advertisement to the entire world... now selecting unsubscribe to this thread.

 

i think that it's all the way you accessorize. i'd say my particular car is "girly" but as a matter of fact, i'm trying to make it more "manly" and aggressive because that's just who i am. but still have it pretty obvious that it is driven by a girl. i had a jeep grand cherokee laredo before that, white by the way, and while i would say it is unisex it looked girly cuz i hung pearls in the mirror and had some stickers on the back. and i've seen guys driving it and it looks manly enough for them. so yeah...