out of the 5 or 6 other mini's i saw today, I got zero waives back.

 

That totally sucks...

 

I get about 50% wavebacks from Minis...oddly, my wife gets nearly universal wave-backs
I get virtually NO waves from other Porsche floggers when in Boxster, 911 or 912...BUT, when in beater, raggety, multi hued $500 VW (68) I get waves, thumbs up and an occasional clapping applause!

 

I got a wave from a grey cooper but i didnt see it until i took the corner , if u see this guy in eugene oregon ::waveeeeee violently::

 

I was in Western Mass a couple of days ago. This guy with a big cigar in his hand drove by me when I was parking and gave me an "emphatic" wave and I waved back, of course. Always feels good.

I also love to drive side by side with other Minis on the road. I get so excited for doing that, but I am always the one on the passing lane and the other Mini just doesn't get too excited...

 

Only saw to MINI's yesterday..got a wave and nice smiles from BOTH!!

 

The greater Seattle area has a pretty sad response to the wave. When I am in the city, or the larger suburbs- maybe 20% will return a wave. But when you get a little further out I get more waves back. There are a lot of Minis here, which explains the lack of response I believe.

 

I've started to notice as well that the majority of waves I get back are from men or from people around 50 y.o. I hardly ever get waves back from younger women. I suppose it's just because they got the car on the cuteness factor and don't care much about the enthusiast aspect. Out of the 3 people I waved at yesterday I got 1 wave back. However, one guy was busy trying to merge so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I did get an odd stare from the 2 ladies in the cabrio though.

 

For the record, I wave all the time. But I've also noticed that fewer women than men wave back or even glance. I think hexon is right about the people who buy for cuteness vs enthusiasts.

Of course, we know that it's not cute.

 

"justa Coopers"? what's with that?
Having joined this board only yesterday, and with my new "justa" scheduled for completion today, I find it disappointing to discover "in-out" lexicon tossed about in the vernacular of this forum. I've not seen that in any other makes owner clubs that i've been engaged with.

 

It's not supposed to be used as a pejorative. It's simply used to distinguish what type of MINI is being discussed. The type is often important since diagnosing issues, discussing options, etc. can totally revolve around what type of vehicle one has.

E.g.

Person A: "I'm having such-and-such an issue with my MINI."
Person B: "Is it a Cooper S?"
Person A: "No, it's Justa Cooper."
Person B: "Then it could be the Hoosey McWhatsit."

 

I understood that the OP had no elitist or negative intent in his statement but still, the term is rooted in elitism and I cannot help but feel that it's acceptance signals a certain kind of core attitude or lack of consideration amoungst those that would choose to use it.
when first deciding on a new sports vehicle, one of my main considerations was my preference for a naturally aspirated vehicle over that of the currently popular use of turbocharging for increasing horsepower, both for the sake of motor "drivability" and long term reliability issues. Purchasing a "justa" was a preference, not a matter of affordability or indifference to performance.

 

Hey! I totally bought the car because it was cute ... and it is cute! I still haven't gotten over how cute it is!

So only three people have returned my waves and they were all older men so maybe there is some truth in what you say, but there are exceptions out there so don't give up waving to the ladies!

 

having owned a mazda miata since 1995,at first it seemed you couldn't encounter another miata driver that didn't wave and smile for many years . I even recall one instance where the passenger stood up in her seat ,wildly gesturing a howdy with both arms flailing enthusiastically. Over time tho, as miata numbers have increased into the bazzillions, i see less and less owner-owner waving and encouragment. Still... when one does meet with another miata driver of the enthusiast-kind, there's usually a big toothy grin and a wave or nod to share with one another. I' say currently, it's down to 1 returned wave in 4 or 5 meetings.
btw-miata drivers are often seen waving to minis and brit roadsters, japanese pocket rockets, boxsters and anyone else that looks like they're having waaay too much fun whist driving.

 

Of course, we know that it's not cute.

Parking lot. Unknown Mom and son.
Mom: "Oh, that is a CUTE little car! Whazzit called?"
I:"Mini Cooper.
Kid:" I betcha you git GUD mileage."
I:" Around 40 trying, 35 or so just driving."
Mom: "Will it go fast enough to take on the Interstate?"
I: "Yeah, if you use the top four gears."
Kid: " Whut does the 'S" stand for?
I "Staid....or Standard...it has the larger 25 horsepower engine so it can't stay up with a New Beetle but I did outrun a VW bus once."
Mom:"Well, it IS cute....HOw much does something like that cost?"
I: "If you get the fancy one that comes with a spare tire, it'll cost over $5,000, but this is my wife's..she traded her Chevy Vega even."
"Well it IS cute."
Don't WAVE at everyone;-)

 

I was driving through downtown Des Moines, Saturday. While stopped at a light, a Dark Silver MCS pulled up next to me. As I looked over, the woman driving was waving, with a big smile on her face. I smiled and waved back. The guy in her passenger seat was smug and looking straight ahead, totally oblivious to what was going on.

 

Will be driving to Vermont from NY for a few days, I had better get some waves on route, or I'll be PISSED.

 

That is probably what my husband would do, as he is most always in my passenger seat!! I wave at every MINI I see. However, we just went on our first MINI run with a local club and he LOVED it, so maybe he will wave , too

 

Seriously?
Your ascot is too tight. Not enough Oxygen getting to your brain

 

2/2 on waves today! woo!

 

0 for 4 today - not feeling the love :(

 

I waved recently and someone waved back. Its a form of acknowledgment that you have seen thier awesome ride And that your driving a car just as awesome! I wave, Society is getting away from communication they are always embedded into their technology and phones that they forget how to wave! MINIACS WAVE! STOP BEING A MINI MORON AND give your peoples a MINI MOTION!

 

I should just let the "justa" sub-thread die in peace but I saw this today and had to share:



That's from this car.

Nice graphics!

 

Yes way cool the other day i got two waves in a 10 minute period and we don't have a lot of coopers where i live . Yall need to join use on the Off Topic section of NAM and chat and try to win a free t-shirt ! We must reach the 30,000 mark to win a free t-shirt ! We are seeting at 25,ooo or so far and would like a chance to win a t-shirt but need help form real Cooper Drivers !
Off Topic section of NAM all the way on the bottom . T-shirt = free ! We need crew members = everyone welcome !
EL Tiger T-shirt crew member

 

My wife and I saw a guy driving a green Austin Mini and we waved at him. He stared at us for a long time wondering, "Why the heck are these random ppl waving at me?" And then he realized, oh...they're driving a MINI. He waved back of course.