I am, well middle aged. 55 to be exact. For years I drove a Mazda sedan, great car to haul wife and kids in. Then WHAM I buy a 04 R50 that looks new and drives new. I mean man this is a whole new motoring experience for me.
Anyway I get in this thing and drive to work or any other place and the next thing I know I doing <speed removed> mph. I thinking now I may be better off getting rid of the car. I tell my wife that these cars just want to be driven fast. Anyway, how to get out of racing mode. Oh yes do you find that other drivers want to race you on the free way?

 

Get in "how many miles per gallon mode" -- I have been amazed at my mpg since I have learned how shift properly.

I challenge myself on improving -- but now and then my alter ego appears (something like Mario Andretti) and I blast through some "twisties".

 

Be grateful you didn't get an R53....

 

Personally I've found the feel and handling write a check the standard engine can't quite cash, Would love to get behind the wheel of an S someday. But yea 70 feels sooo slow now.

 

A: Lots and lots of speeding tickets.

 

Ask a cop to follow you to work!

 

ask someone to chauffer or dirve u around

 

HANG in their;after 5-6 years you may calm down some.
Happy Motoring, Jeff

 

Well, get out of Dale Earnardt mode, and simply go to Dale Earnhardt Junior mode....He hasn't driven fast for years.

 

What the heck....just go with it!!

 

Absurd

 

Why get out of the 'Dale Earnhardt mode'?
The MINI is not transportation it is entertainment on wheels. Enjoy!

 

I have a cooper also and got two tickets in two days went to court lucky the judge had mercy on me when I mentioned I had a MINI. sent me to driving school and dismissed the charges. since then I watch the speedo and enjoy the twisties and cloverleaf off ramps on the freeway. Welcome to the club. happy motoring

 

Thats Great I got a Warning by a Hall Monitor for this Post

 

Do a few Autocross events, or DE events. This may help but may start a new addition of doing MODs to the car.

Happy Motoring

 

I'm 58 and the best thing that happened to me was getting into "(insert your favorite driver) mode" Live it, love it, laugh it....MINI's are a fountain of youth. My advise is to sell the R50 and get an R53, R56 or best yet a JCW

 

I can agree with everyone else when they say be happy you didnt get an R53, but on the other hand they are a lot more fun to drive. Congrads on your R50 by the way.

 

we have a R50 and R53 JCW...I drive her car (R50) occasionally while the R53 is my daily driver...both are fun cars to drive, either way....Just Motor, bud and enjoy the ride.

 

At least you didn't get a ticket; you're still doing better than half the posters on this thread....

 

I'm also 55, and I find myself too often in that same mode.
I live on a county road, and I know the spots where the sheriff hides; but last Saturday I had the misfortune of having a female deputy come straight at me, over a small rise.
By the time I realized her SUV wasn't a civilian model, it was too late; she got me for 89 in a 55.
I go to court next month, where I hope the judge will show some sympathy; maybe he'll be a "car guy".
First speeding ticket in about 30 years.

 

Mblfbl years over 55 and not my first sporty car after a '63 TR and a 65 E Jag roadster. A cabrio makes it even more fun. The cruise control has saved my bacon more than once. The TR and I grew up on the autox and rally circuits so all that is behind us now. The best defense I can see for the average guy is to hire a copilot who's sole purpose is to watch that big honkin' speedo and tell you when to ease back.

 

I don't dare go fast when the copilot is with me!

 

I couldnt agree more. Thats why I like to drive alone.

 

try autocross? worked for me.

takes the boiler pressure and puts it to good use...

(i'm 54 btw)

charlie

 

?? I can see a great jowly British gentleman considering that anyone should want to get out of DE mode and gruffly puff over his cognac, "Absurd!". I'm sure this is the spirit in which it was given.

Why is that offensive in this context?