Ding, ding, ding... we have a winner.

I believe it did follow through from car show circuits because people gathering would back in and open their hoods. It was easier to view all the engines and engine compartments walking down the "middle" of a isle rather than going back and forth.

I remember hanging out in parking lots with hotrods when I was a kid and it was done that way then.

Most of the time I just pull in cause I've got nothing to show off under my hood.

Mark

 

I always back into the garage at home. This allows enough space between the MINI and our Forester to open the doors and not hit the other vehicle. This also allows me to pull out onto the street going foward. Several years ago I was stationed in a country in the Middle East and it was suggested to back in. This made it easier to take evasive action if needed.

In the parking garage where I used to work, backing saved many a fender. My parking spot was between a pillar and a mini van. 90% percent backed in. Backing out of any slot on the 2nd floor was a risky move. Drivers over the center line setting up for the next corner were always a thrill.

 

Here is my 2 cents:
When turning, the rear wheels follow a tighter radius than the fronts (you can see this in a snowy or wet parking lot). Therefore, with a smaller radius the car turns more quickly making it is easier to back into a spot/slot than to pull in forward.

With that said - I like the "show off" show car idea the best.

 

Wow, that is really interesting how different we are in that!

 

That is sweet!! Integrated into the factory GPS it looks like!

 

I do it for a different reason. I have a bad back and craning my neck to reverse out causes discomfort. By backing in, I can see all other traffic (or lack of) and use the mirrors only to get in the spot. Then leaving is easier on the back for me.

 

It makes for a quick escape.

When you drive up you have the best visibility of the area so you can easily see if there is something you could hit or a pedestrian in the area.You back in and when you leave it's actually easier and safer.

 

I always back in, it's an old habit from the days of running with the Rescue Squad and it lets you make a fairly quick getaway!

 

I allways back in for the quick escape and to avoid back out into traffic. But about six months ago my truck got towed out of my buddies apartment only because it was backed in. I was so mad 280 dollars to get my truck back. I asked my buddy if my truck had been stolen or towed and he said " you didn't back in did you". Aperently there were signs posted on the wall behind were everybody parked but were not visible to me taking the last available spot

 

I usually park far enough out in the lot that I can pull through the spots so I am usually bonnet out. If I cant do that I usually wont go through the trouble of backing into a spot unless there is some kind of MINI event going on. Given what the other Cabrio owners have said about visibility and ease of backing in, I might have to give that a try more often.

Nabeshin--that photo is amazing!

 

I would imagine that backing in is a requirement of the japanese driving test, as I can't imagine without it that the skill to do that would be second nature...

 

An old army guy called this "combat parking".

 

Summary: Japan is a driver's country.

The thing about the Japanese and cars is that most don't actually need one. They do not have to rely on the car as their only means of transportation, their public transit is second to none. Those who have a car really enjoy cars and driving and pay a premium to do so.

Renting a parking spot is expensive, and you need to prove that you have a parking spot before you can buy a car, unless it is a Kei-car (small enough in dimension & engine size to park on the street.) I had heard that it was not unreasonable for one to spend as much as they do on apartment rent on renting a parking spot.

However, those that are lucky enough to be able to afford a house (tightly packed neighborhoods but not quite row-houses) usually have a spot (carport) to park on their land or even more rare - a garage.

Getting a license is an actual challenge and can cost between $3000 and $5000. Their tests are actual tests and a rigorous class is needed before (thus the expense.)

Rural Japanese might have to have cars since train stops can be far away. They would use the car for a day trip to the city or to get supplies. More often it would be some kind of little truck for the farm, and a utility motorcycle is used for getting groceries.

So in Japan, every car on the road is piloted by somebody who is actually competent, cares about their car, maintains it, and is courteous to other drivers. I don't think I heard a single car horn used in anger while I was there (as observed from my bicycle).

Kind of a lot of semi-off-topic information there, sorry about that.

 

I didn't know any of that. Found it very interesting.

 

I back in 90% of the time depending on the situation. My Father made me to when I first learned to drive... easier/safer pulling out (peds, other traffic), able to service/tow/jump start if needed... many years later when in the academy is was mandatory for the same reasons above and often need to leave in a hurry... and it does look nice for photos as stated above, LOL.

 

I dont think I can even imagine what that is like. The last couple of days have been horrendous driving around here.

 

I think the MINI's best asset is looking at it from the front. Backing it in also allows people to lift their bonnets and show off their latest engine mods. Potentially, backing it in places a different side of the car against a neighboring car should they give you a door ding..there are some areas that are easier to repair than others. A door ding by the gas door can be impossible to fix, while a door ding on the door itself is a no brainer. Just my 2 cents.

 

I'd support a comprehensive driver's Ed program like that in the US. Even one like the BMW's teen survival training. A lot of foreign countries have extensive driver's Ed programs. In Idaho they let kids drive at 14, with no real training. What a disaster . Maybe if people learned how to drive correctly in this country, I wouldn't have to park my Mini at the far regions of a parking lot when I go to a store. I wouldn't have to worry about them pulling-in in either direction (how's that for coming back on topic ).

 

I park mine backwards and tummy up!

 

I just hate when some soccer mom takes forever to back her ginormous SUV into a spot -- meanwhile 6 other cars are held up due to her lack of backing skill....
I dont care if you back in, but, please, make it snappy- if it takes you a long time to do it, just pull in for heaven's sake...

 

Ooops. Heheh. It wasn't a place that lent itself to backing in.

 

Love the little guy lost in the middle

 

reason: faster getaway

I like knowing what's coming on the other side of that big SUV I parked next to. When I park with the front in first I always test the waters when backing out, backing out slowly at first, then even slower til I can see around the adjacent car.

Also some people don't seem to trust you when you back out. If I back out to close to the guy that wants my spot and also didn't leave me much space to do so, I get honked at. Regardless of speed! You would think that because someone drives a MINI they'd be a pro at backing out or parallel parking. Had a soccer mom's kid yell the F-word at me out the window when I got to close. What the hell

Seeing the front of it also makes me smile when leave her.

 

I just like the way the car looks from the front.

 

Yes, at car gatherings, I like to see the 'face' of the car. As I walk down the aisles, if I see the rear of a car, I feel like the car, and the owner, has turned its collective back on me. Yes, a little mental, I know, but thats my impression.