I've been a part of several different car groups over the years as I've owned 25+ vehicles. Anything from muscle cars, imports, euros, diesels, jeeps, etc. I don't feel like I fit in with the local mini groups. I'd say the majority of the owners are around 60 years old and they are more about putting stickers on their car or adding some other sort of stick on accessory. I really like our mini and have a lot of fun with it but I also like other makes and models of cars as well. It seems though that the mini people I've met would never consider anything other than a mini no matter what. I enjoy spirited driving and hitting some canyon or mountain roads and it seems like any group outing is more of a slow scenic drive for the locals. I was just curious what your local mini group is like, what's the age range, what is the driving style?

 

Interesting question. I’ve been active in our local group for over 15 years. It’s definitely evolved. In the early days, most of these were new car purchases. The owners were a very eclectic group of young and old, enthusiasts and early adapters.

Today it’s a bit more uniform, much like you described.

But what hasn’t changed is the welcoming atmosphere, and owner enthusiasm. That’s been consistent.

The local driving events are frequent, and well organized. Mildly spirited for sure. Some more than others depending on the route and group size and experience of the drivers. Often they will split into groups by driving style, or if you stay toward the back of the pack it can be more spirited than up front behind the leader.

 

I'm too young to have a collection I think , just the mini

 

Used to be great, back in the R53 days .. now, not so much

 

I haven't owned a MINI since 2014 and am just now considering getting another and just came back on this site a few days ago but seems not as many fun threads anymore, either MINI related or off topic.

What do you think happened in your local club? MINI owners aren't as enthusiastic these days?

 

I have found that in to days Mini clubs most of are runs are overnight (I belong to 5 clubs). It used to be day runs and I liked better, but that's just me. As for the spirited driving their is always someone who wants to go faster and some go slower. That's why they have track days, besides it's safer.

 

I agree, the welcoming atmosphere of owning a mini is definitely a thing

I can only imagine. Definitely a different group of mini owners I'm sure before all the 4 doors and larger mini's came around.

I know you were responding to someone else but figured I'd throw my two cents in even though I've only had our mini a little over a year. As for this site not having as many threads I believe that doesn't pertain to just mini forums. Everything has seemed to make it to facebook now. I've been noticing the same on other car forums and other hobbies I'm into. With the rise of facebook groups it seems everyone is there now. I personally like forums though. Easier to find what you are looking for. Fb groups are just one continuous chat and hard to navigate. I'd wager that mini owners are just as enthusiastic these days as they were years ago though that enthusiasm is shown differently. I get the feeling that mini enthusiast of years past were about the handling and quickness of the cars, they enjoyed finding twisty roads. Modding their cars to make them quicker and handle better, enjoying them for the full size go kart they were known to be. Now they are about stick on eyelashes for the headlights, as many stickers as you can place on the car and taking a leisurely drive somewhere as a group. Maybe I'm just observing from what I've seen locally and it's different in other areas, reason why I wanted to ask.

Interesting. I've never been on a night run with a mini group. As for some like to drive faster and some slower comment, I completely agree. It's hard to make everyone happy with group outings. I'm not out trying to kill anybody or myself on the roads, no passing on double yellows, etc. but I do like to have fun. This weekend there was a big mini gathering and we had signed up for a group run. I asked the run organizer if she wanted to do two groups, one scenic and one spirited as I was familiar with the route and was immediately turned down. We ended up splitting from the group half way through and a friend and myself did our own spirited drive back.