I noticed this as soon as I bought my first MINI (3 or so months ago). I have had to be much more aware and defensive while driving.

SUVs right right up on my bumper, cars merge into my lane and push me completely out, etc.

 

Just make/model is enough to make some folks act like jerks...they somehow think driving an import in michigan is like giving the UAW the finger, hurting the big 3....funny, half the folks that drive like that was LAID OFF by one of the big 3 or had and family member that was, and there is a 50% chance their car was built in Mexico or Canada........
i can understand cars are the hometown industry, but blind devotion has not really helped the big 3 make better cars.....its folks buying different cars that made them wake up, and start to make some much better cars!! But that does not stop folks from being jerks.....

 

Talk about keeping your head on a swivel, try driving a classic- people don't even see you when you pull up behind them or make a move to pass. Glad I have a loud exhaust and horns that get some attention as long as their phones or stereo are temporarily unused.

 

Agree 100% since I work in expedite logistics. I guess I will never understand the mindset of these Michigan drivers but I have some sort of understanding of why I shouldn't ever trust them:-).

 

I drive a 2012 MCS in the near Chicago area where I live. I also drive a tanker truck for a living, so I do a LOT of driving here.

I came to the conclusion years ago that everyone is a moron on the road. Period.

Since I've been driving my Mini, I have all but confirmed that everyone here must believe they are a competitor to the Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, Chevy Spark, etc... Small econobox cars with zero power that people buy solely to be frugal at the fuel station because they're either broke or tighter than two coats of paint. I've even had people ask me at random parking lots "What kind of MPG do you get?... That's it!?" At which time I have to inform them that it's a modified turbocharged sport car, it's not an econobox meant to get 45mpg.

I drive my car very calmly on the expressway commute everyday because my license is my job qualification, I cant afford to be getting speeding tickets and judgements against my license. This being said, a lot of people get right up on my ***, tailgate crazily, flash their brights, etc....Sometimes when the vehicle challenging me is generally sporty, I assume the driver is a smug ******* ignorant of our car's power, so I wait for them to try and fly past me, then I downshift hard and give it the beans not letting them pass. You should see the look on some of these fools faces!

I honestly believe that most people don't even know that you can buy a Turbo MINI.

 

I hear you guys, I am in the SF bay area and drive thru ridiculous traffic times every day! I am super soft on brakes avoiding them most of the time. I get tail gated way too frequently and I just think to myself, total my car... You'll be paying. I have uninsured motorist ins for a reason if you don't have ins. Just stay as safe as possible and don't let others get to you. Be aggressive but not that next a-hole.

Happy Motoring!

 

It's no better here in FL. It's either super old people who can't see over the wheel driving 15 mph under the limit, or foolish jerks in old crappy cars driving like they got their license out of a cracker jack box, or the completely oblivious a-holes who want to drive 20 over in town constantly racing to the next stop light or into more traffic. I'll give people a brake check when they're up my butt, then they blast past me in the other lane and *** ride the next guy only to be passed by me slowly because they just raced into traffic that is backed up.

I have people give me the finger for cutting me off, driving 30+ mph in a parking lot, tailgating, and cutting me off. I even have people use the on ramp lane to pass me on the free way! That really boils my blood. I chewed a guy out real bad one day for that, bc we both got off at the same exit. He had his wife and mother in the car!

The other retards on the freeway all want to drive 80 mph or more in their big trucks, bmws, SUVs, ect when the price of gas is going up daily. What super peeves me is these people who drive almost 100mph for miles and miles, cutting everyone off, and no cops in sight! I've had these fools use the on ramps to pass me too. At that point, I call highway patrol, only to never see these jerks pulled over!

I think the real issue is that it's way too easy to get a license. Any idiot can get one now, and it's allowed because IMO, it's all a conspiracy for people to have wrecks, so car manufactures can sell more parts, and insurance companies can hike rates, and police forces can write more tickets.

 

They are stock and they are red. If they look like brake lights to someone, good. They won't be climbing up my tailpipe...unless they are texting.

 

Although I do believe more than half of all drivers should be on a Schwinn and even then some probably need to just take the bus. I use to joke with my son that the government should be able to take people's cars and give them a Schwinn in trade or a bus pass.

What I have noticed from driving small cars and crap cars most of my life is this:

If your car/truck looks nice you are more likely to get cut off or almost hit.
If your car/truck looks like crap and of little value people are less likely to cut you off or almost hit you as they seem to think you have nothing to lose and may not have insurance.
If you drive a small car they also seem to feel like you don't matter and that out of fear for your personal safety may not hit them and if you do you might not do any real damage.

Summary: Driving a Mini that looks nice means you are twice as likely to have people cut you off or almost hit you.

My solution is to watch twice as hard for the a-hole drivers and to try to read their driving before they do something stupid. When I see them I tighten up my gaps and if they drive like a maniac I try to box them in somewhere so I can get a nice lead on them to avoid them unless it is open highway then I let them race ahead as my ticket catcher so that I can buzz down the road without worry of a ticket for my slightly weighted foot sitting on the throttle.
Remember speeding up isn't always the answer especially when slowing down helps let the person behind you close the gap as I don't want the a-hole on my butt either.

Keep in mind I drive in Florida so we either have the a-holes, txt'ing teens (and adults) or the blind retirees with the giant black visors that can barely see over their steering wheels. None are good.

 

Worst part if you had of hit that big truck it would of been your fault. Even though it was his bad driving that caused it.

 

I know your telling me...it's so pathetic like someone said that getting your license is REALLY easy and truth is, it is. I got mine when I was 17 and I've had one accident(both driver and I at fault). I've been good since that young stupid incident. I learned not to trust anyone and keep a look out. I've had only tinting tickets and two speeding that I won in court.

The fact is, they need to thoroughly take s look at these easy tests! Make them harder.

 

They should call it a commuting license. They don't really teach you how to drive.

 

My step-dad insisted that I take these as a teenager because my first and second cars were V8 Camaros. He and my Mother paid for them, I don't remember what they cost at the time, but I remember my Mom being really against the expense.

Teenage Driving
Advanced Teenage Driving

They really do a great job to help new drivers understand how vehicles react to different driver inputs and situations. They definitely help anyone and everyone who takes them, and they lay a great foundation for teenagers who end up really wanting to learn how to get the most out of their car.

 

Don't blame your Mini, or yourself for that mater. It's just the way people are today in this self-centered society. There's only one person on the road in their opinion and it's the one they see when they look in the rearview mirror. Unfortunately, it is what it is!

 

It's a newer uncommon feature, so not many cars have it. But if you're ever behind a car with a rear fog light on in clear weather conditions, you'll realize how annoying, dangerous, and distracting it is.

Or maybe I'm just irritable.
I've been behind a few mini's with it, and one Audi Q7. And the Audi was the worst because the bumber was nearly at eye level, it was like a laser in my face.

 

I force my way around in traffic sometimes, the size of the car I think makes it easier to do.

 

I think you are more aware since driving a MINI. Since the public education system dropped Drivers Ed (at least in AZ), people are NOT trained properly. Could go into how society has gone down the tubes too, but I'm an old fart. Oh, and Michigan, people generally happy there?

 

People in Michigan are miserable depressed bastards. I've seen in San Fran and South Beach, life is more cheerful, smiling, and respectful, compared to Michigan where they seem so depressed, half *** everything, and not really bright people(I would say about 65-70% are like that here).

This is what I told my girlfriend, we either going to live in San Fran or San Diego in a couple years when I can transfer my job.

 

San diego is awesome, lived there.

 

Bay area!!! Better country drives in wine country !

 

Well, I lived 20 years in Bloomfield Township and the last 8 in San Diego; don't assume the drivers are any better here! They do tend to be less hostile, but mostly they're oblivious to your existence on the road. As far as getting dissed in my MINI, I get basically the same treatment when I'm driving my Yukon, so I don't really think it's about the car.

 

I feel your pain. Before I got my Mini Cooper S a month ago I drove a lowered, 1990 Mazda Miata and always had to be aware of other cars no matter what. The mass size of cars these days is rediculous, especially Suv's. Compared to a full sized truck I am pretty much eye level with the top of their tires! I can not tell you how many times people have cut me off, or not known I was there. I feel that I get a little more respect in my Mini but my mentality is the same in the Miata... always be prepared that someone will cut you off and stay ahead of traffic at all time possible.

 

That's what I hear!:-)

 

People drive as if they were posting on facebook. They think it's a game and that no one can see them as if they were anonymous. People need to learn how to respect one another and sometimes it may take someone following them home and scaring the bejesus out of them. My chiropractor was flipped off for going the speed limit in the right lane on an empty highway. Not sure what some ppl's problems are but they better calm down before someone like Dexter shows up in their garage. It's easy to get caught up the road rage so stay safe everyone.

~p

 

I am playing alittle devil's advocae here , First off , trucks make wide right turns. They have to make to clear curbs and oncoming traffic . They should have their signal on . If not its ALL their fault. Try driving a 28" box truck and have idiot driver give you NO respect.
Second, if a driver is on your *** one of two scenarios are in play. If traffic is in front of you and you cannot not go any faster than the guy behind you IS an idiot. If you are in the left lane and someone wanting to go faster than you and no traffic is in the way , apparently he is on you ***, then you my friend are the idiot , MOVE OVER slow poke. This is usually the reason people pass on the right and give no respect cause you are holding them back and are in the wrong lane. Slower traffic must keep right.

i may come across as an aggressive driver , well maybe i am. BUT I give l do give respect when there is traffic or a slower car in the right lane and trucks trying to work for a living. BUT if people don't give respect on the road i don't give them respect back. I probaly give them alittle disrespect.


Joe H