I had the (mis)pleasure of driving 4 different Minis last week, as mine is still in the shop for repairs stemming from a failed water pump. So I tried a wave test, waving at other Mini owners like I always do. I don't get a lot of waves back, probably because I look like a big hairy ape who stole a Mini Cooper when he broke out of the zoo, wearing only sunglasses for disguise.

My Lightning Blue Mini Cooper S: 0 out of 2 waves
Red Mini Cooper Convertible: 2 out of 2 waves
Sparkling Silver Mini Cooper Hardtop: 0 out of 3 waves
Red and Black Cooper S Clubman: 1 out of 2 waves

The redder your Mini is, the more waves you get, is the only conclusion.

Hooray for science!!!

 

I drive a CR/B and I've only gotten 1 wave return (from a classic mini driver, red.) out of about a dozen!

 

It used to be that almost all MINI drivers would wave. I noticed a generational thing around here. The new MINI drivers dont wave anywhere near as much as the first gen. ones do. Maybe MTTS will cure this!?

 

I've noticed this as well when I went from 1st gen to 2nd gen. The 1st gen cars stopped waving back. Sorry to all of the 1st genners who feel that I am now inferior since I have 2nd gen.

 

I did a study for a college statistics course involving waves and colors. The results were that people in brightly colored MINIs (red, blue, yellow, etc) were more likely to wave than those in more neutral-colored MINIs (black, white, silver, grey, etc). I don't remember the stats exactly but the drivers of brightly colored MINIs were WAY more likely to wave.

 

When you were in the convertible, did you wave out the top. I get more waves back when I am topless.

 

I wave sometimes, I sometimes don't, depends who gives the wave first. I will always return the wave if I see it.

 

Yellow, Cabrio, 1st Gen...Turns heads & still gets the waves!

(I'm an equal opportunity waver...any MINI (Mini) gets a wave from me!)

 

I'm with Not4no1....I also wave to all MINIs and Minis...no matter the generation. I get lots more waves back from the 1st gen. however.

 

I always wave if I see 'em. I think it was just easier to see the red Minis!

 

My girlfriend and I being frustrated that nobody ever waves back anymore, decided that we were gonna get the next Mini we saw to wave back no matter what. A pw/b GEN 2 justacoop comes up right behind me at a red light, same color as mine.

I stick two thumbs up out the window while my gf turns around, smiles, and waves hysterically. The older couple look at each other confused. 5-10 seconds and no response. Aggravated, our hand waving and thumbs up pumping only get more hysterical.

Nothing.

We'll keep trying though.

 

I wave to all minis, but no one waves back. Only once (while I was not looking) a silver gen 1 waved to me as I passed, I was bummed that I missed it so, I rolled down my window to wave back- after the fact. He must have thought that I was crazy.

My husband ALWAYS gets the wave in his Subaru STI. What's up with that???

Will keep trying though. Maybe the wave will catch on in my state?

 

I always wave very enthusiastically. (cause I'm new) So far I've only been dissed once. The best bit was a couple of days ago, there was a black MINI behind me on the Beachline for quite some time. We came to the toll buzzer and he finally was able to come up next to me (slow cars need to get out of the way!!!) He waved back just as enthusiastically and then had to cut over to get on the 417 North. Made me feel good he came over to wave on purpose!

 

My wife drove Pintsize today and was psyched at how many waves she got here in central MA.

 

Well, the only wave I ever got WAS from a red MINI! And I have a red MINI...so I'm crossing my fingers your study is correct, LOL.

But then again, I'd be lucky to see different models/colours of MINI's on a regular basis around here

I think the waving thing is cool & since I'm a new MINI owner, I'm excited about it!!

 

I think you might have to look for the tell tale signs if somebody is going to wave back at you. Such as a front badge, vanity plates, forum stickers, etc.

 

I'm at about 50% wavebacks. I think its the convertible. Its easier to see the person.

How are you waving? I have 2 waves. The arm out the window and wave towards the ground and the left hand on wheel 4 fingers up wave cause i'm shifting.

 

Most old people do not wave back. They need to get over being old and wave to me, I'm starting to get pissed.

 

I have had good results with flashing the headlights, I either get a wave or a return flash. Or nothing but a confused look

Dave

 

I second this! I live in Victoria, BC where there are a lot of retirees driving in Coopers. And they're all jerks, apparently. Went out motoring today and got dissed 5 times.

 

We always had sports cars while I was growing up and was quite use to the tradition of waving to your own kind. Sports cars went away for a bit and people got the muscle cars. The waving seemed to go out of fashion then as I never noticed them waving at each other.

I'm guessing that some MINI owners don't know about the old tradition of waving at each other. I was surprised ya'll were doing it and quite happy to begin waving again! I missed that comfy feeling.

Maybe print up some small flyers and when you see a MINI in a parking lot slide one under the wiper. Even if they are the blander colors, only in it for the mileage or "gasp," OLD! Educate em!

 

I find just the opposite around here. Most of the younger crowd seem to think it's uncool to wave.

 

I'm gonna keep score. My theory is that you get more waves and wave-backs from MINIs with stripes (or a more "you-ified" MINI). Just based on my unscientific observations it seems you are 4 to 5 times more likely to get a wave from the type of individual that expresses themselves more with their Cooper.,

 

Couldn't agree more. I personally can't resist waving when I see someone with their top off...err I mean down.

 

The subie wrx guys are always waving at each other. I occasionally get waves, most of the time though I see mini's on divided highways so I can let it slide if they don't wave back. I think Ive gotten about a 50/50 ratio to wave/no wave response...kinda makes me sad.