I have had my new MINI Countryman S for less than 3 full weeks and I find that no matter where I go, people are always walking up to me asking if they can look in my car, then they are always shocked at how "big" it is.

This happened twice on Saturday! Personally I love showing her off, and I was wondering what the strangest thing any non-MINI driver has asked you about your MINI....

 

Well, the sheriff (you know, the chief, not any of the deputies) in my town checked out my MCS and asked if he could take it up one of the twisty roads in my area sometime...

That strange enough?

By the way, I told him: "Sure, but I gotta tag along"

Also, he didn't pull me over or anything when he asked me, he was just at my work place. Nice guy

 

People are so ignorant about these cars specs. until they actually get in one and/or drive one. I have to admit i was a little as well until i looked closer at them. I've always been attracted to their fun/sleek/stylish look since they appeared in Italian Job.

I always get people looking at mine and asking me about it too. If you don't like attention these probably are not the cars for you

 

That's the strangest thing I heard. You should see if he has one of those temporary police red siren lights that he can put on the roof of your Mini while he's cruising in it.

 

I find it strange that people in their smaller cars stop me at gas stations to ask how good the mileage is. An extra 2MPG is not gonna save you much money when you have to sell your car first. Besides, the way I drive it mileage around town is pretty awful...

Oddest thing for me was a family at a coffee shop at awe that my Cooper had rear disk brakes. Surprised to see a small car with rear disk brakes? What is this 1990? They were driving an H2 Hummer.

MINIs are very polarizing - people seem to love or hate them. Most people I have run into love it.

 

I think those are pretty standard now a days. Although IMO I think a lot of options should be standard these days, but are not.

 

I was at a stop light in San Francisco back in 2002 with my brand new R53 when a scruffy looking homeless guy stopped in the middle of the cross walk, turned to look at me, and then walked up to my window. I was expecting him to ask for money, but when I rolled down the window he says "what kind of car is this?" I told him it was a Mini Cooper, he looked it over, turned, and continued on his way without saying anything else. I got a good laugh out of that.

 

All,
These are funny. Keep 'em coming....

 

Is there a thread yet to see how many NAM members are first time MINI owners with a Countryman?

 

It's a Countryman.....it is big.

 

I was looking for a rear wiper blade at the local car parts store. I told the guy it was a MINI Cooper and he asked "Yeah, but who makes that?" All I could do is leave knowing that I was not going to find anything I needed there.

 

Good choice.

 

Nah, I'll let him drive it, but I won't let him put one of those sirens on top... might scratch the paint...

 

People are always amazed when I tell them MINIs are BMWs.

 

Weirdest part IMO is that they noticed to begin with... One would think anyone who would bother to check what kind of brakes a car has (or nowdays even know the difference in types) wouldn't be surprised by such a thing.

 

I was delivering for Meals on Wheels the other day in the Minster and an old lady client was in awe of the car. She kept asking me what kind it was and who makes it. When I told her BMW makes them she said, "Oh dear, those are kind HIGH ain't they?". I said they can be but not mine since I got the stripped down justa! BTW, she had a Cadillac in her driveway and I think she liked the sound of 35mpg's!

 

I got a lot of friends and family saying it was dumb to by a MINI since it was so small and impractical when I first bought it. Funny thing is these same people always want to ride with me or drive it...