So, I've just about reached the end of my first official week of Motoring, and it would seem I've discovered a new disease... I've dubbed it "MINI-MANIA!" As a result of being inflicted with this disease, I find myself driving faster than I really should be: Sometimes I'm just not paying attention to the spedo and it "creeps up" on me, but other times it's just for the sheer pleasure of it!

Now, I've always been an avid auto enthusiast, and I've been lucky enough to own some nice little sports cars in my brief driving history. In short, I'm no stranger to the practice of "spirited driving" and all of the joys of driving fun cars. And yet this MINI seems to take things to a new level! I don't know if it's because of the confidence the handling inspires, or just that it feels like it's going slowly because of the size... I'm wondering if anyone else has similar experiences in their MINI?

 

I don't mean to belittle you, in no way should this be considered a put-down or an insult of any kind. But; "Duh!"
It's a MINI, Z0, enjoy the uniquness that we all cherish.

 

Oh I certainly enjoy it - I just don't know that Johnny-Law will get as much of a kick out of it the next time I stumble into him...

 

Yeah, that sounds about like it was for me for the first year of driving a MINI. Giving a car like this to a 16 year old probably isnt the best idea when the only other thing they have driven is a jeep liberty. It's almost three years later though and I have settled down a lot. Certainly helps being able to get my kicks out on an AX course now that I am old enough. I think another thing has to do with that I am a bit more aware of the police now too, just seeing people getting pulled over all the time and not having a radar detector make you drive a bit more cautious.

Could just be a new car thing, I know that whenever I drive my dad's 08 Accord Coupe that I drive that thing pretty aggressively, mostly so I get to play around with that free revving v-tec 4 banger and the slick 5 speed. This is just driving aressivly in a different way, I am sure if I spent more time with the honda I would get over it.

 

I had a period of "getting it out of my system", too. I mean, one just has to explore the car's capability to some extent. Ultimately, I had to find other ways to drink the kool-aid........er, I mean engage in MINI-mania. I went through that first set of tires way too fast.

 

You mean the affliction of "Perma-Grin" ?

Took my bulldog for a spin, she hasn't been the same since......

 

Don't worry you are normal. you just belong to a very exclusive group of people who know what the difference is between
Transportation and driving or motoring. I have had my MINI for a little less than two years and I find my self finding excuses to drive longer roads to and from work or short trips to the store . I get excited when I run across another MINI and I always make the attempt to WAVE.
Look forward to seeing you on the road, Remember to always give a fellow MINI owner a warm wave back.

happy motoring.

 

I guess it could be at least partially "getting it out of the system"... I remember the first day I brought it to work, I must have been a bit shaky and somewhat dazed for a good 30 minutes after I parked the thing - I just wasn't used to having power AND go-kart handling all at once. Now I'm a bit more relaxed, but the thing is still pretty insane!

That being said, I must admit that I can still generate a pretty good rush driving my Z 4 years after getting it... Definitely not as fast as the MINI, and not quite as sharp, but it's soooo much more raw and involving, you just can't help but get into it!

 

Am I a MINImaniac? In a word--yes.

But when I'm on my Harley, it takes my attention in the same way.

 

I think MINIs (and Minis for that matter) bring out the manic in most of us now and then. My bout would have been more severe had I not been living in proximity to several small towns with extremely proactive law enforcement establishments. As it is, there are a few places where I can let my MINI loose a bit, but I vastly prefer to just build good will for MINIs among my fellow motorists and the police, using the superb handling of these cars for precise and engaged motoring (which seems to happen less and less on our roads these days).

 

maybe this MINI-Mania disease explains the two tickets I got within the first 6 months of owning the MINI.

I've driven pretty aggressive all my life with bimmers but never a ticket.

Not so lucky with my cooper.

 

Yeah, if I keep up like this, a ticket is going to be inevitable. If only the MINI came with an anti-radar field generator!

 

I just bought an 03' MCS off my Brother this past month and it's made that 1.5 hr commute to downtown chicago a lot more enjoyable. I find myself making lane changes I wouldn't even fathum possible in my old car. I've even pushed it's parrallel parking to the limit by fitting in a spot with only about 2 inches of space between bumpers, luckily the car behind was my friends and the one in front just had to pull straight out. This car has proved it's weight in gold and then some when it comes to parking in the city. I also find myself washing the car every weekend at the hand wash, too afraid to let my baby go through one of those automated, plus there's just something about wiping that car clean with your own hands, I feel like I'm uncovering a work of art when I start rinsing the soap suds off...