ok idk about the rest of you but I am really sick and tired of almost being hit/killed when driving my mini. I mean really guys it is so hard to see? for example, yesterday I had to slam on my breaks and blow my horn at the lady coming into my lane and didn't even see my car and a few weeks ago it also happened. What is the deal? Sorry had to vent! I'm so sick of it. maybe it's just long island drivers... they are horrible.

-lala

 

Perhaps I've been lucky, but I haven't that problem at all with my MINI.
If I had the desire to be REALLY invisible, I'd go back to riding a motorcycle.

 

Dodged a few, myself.
Hit twice, both times while standing still at red lights. Added the brake pusler unit after the first one.
It helped, but didn't cure.

 

Long Island/NYC drivers is the problem.

I do not have a problem in most of New England, Southern NJ, PA and other parts fo the country but when in the vacinity of NYC and about 60-80 from NYC i have nothing but problems. So what I do is stay away. But i understand some people just cant do that.

Maybe what you need is one of these type flags.

 

Agreed it's probably the NY drivers. Minis are no shorter than most other sedans, and are actually a bit wider than some.

Must admit that the handling/power combo of the JCW has helped me avoid a few accidents already, but none were because the driver would've seen me if I were in a different car - just bad drivers in general.

 

It's not the size of your car at all, it's the idiots with the cell phones glued to their ears, or their hands. Trust me , I almost get hit on a daily basis because some idiot thinks that because they are talking on the phone, they don't have to look to see if traffic is coming!!

 

I don't think it's just NY. In Colorado, I have noticed an increasing number of people who can't keep their goshdarned cars in between their lane lines! Drives me insane. I think they're just dumb (or inattentive, at least). I don't think it's got much to do with our cars. Though, maybe...

 

Yeah, but as a whole I see drivers doing stuff today they never would have thought of doing years ago before huge insurance policies were available to them.....in addition, as more of these drivers licenses are being doled out to those whom should have been "failed" on their drivers test, it's fairly obvious they are nothing more than a new tax, and source of future revenue for law enforcement and the courts - instead of as being a privilege.....the side effects of which are unimportant.

 

La La Rocks
I have a idea put white racing stripes on your mini cooper = makes it stand out . Hold on tight and zoom on down the road & watch for them cell phone drivers they are the pitts of the highway ! I find parking lots are the worse place to be in a MINI surrounded by huge SUV's . Drive safe La La .Motor on safe girl !

 

I haven't had a problem with being seen. But what I ALWAYS have problems with are lifted trucks who think they are god. They will nearly run you off the road because your just in a little small MINI, and they think they are big and powerful.

I've had some pretty good road rage incidents with some before. I always end up leaving them behind as they can never catch up. But I carry a taser in the car now...just in case.

 

I prefer a .45

 

Inattentive driving seems to be the rule, rather than the exception, anymore. I tend to drive pretty defensively, especially when I'm in my MG, which is a good deal smaller than the MINI, and a whole lot more dangerous to involve in an accident. I'd had my MINI only a few days when an elderly lady in a Buick pulled out of a Walgreens without looking, and I had to take evasive action. I really don't like driving around town, frankly, and the highways can be worse, if crowded. Give me a deserted country road any day - the more curves, the better!

Spridget

 

Funny you mention... when I had my 2007 MC, black-black... at night once a van (those ugly commercial cheap vans) decided that he could turn right from the left lane, even though we, in the right lane, were already turning right... onto a single lane!

He crunched into the front-left corner; not much damage.. but he claimed that he just didn't see us :-/ Thankfully, he was found 100% at fault.

 

I've had a couple people not see me, but they weren't looking. Wouldn't have seen a school bus.

I did have some respect issues when I first got the car. People would rush to get in front of me, or cut me off. Put racing stripes on the front and it hasn't been much of a problem.

 

The good thing is our stock horns are LOUD for such a small car, freaks people out every time I use it on them!

 

I am gonna say LI drivers. I've avoided quite a few myself on my treck into queen almost every day.

 

I had a number of low small vehicles that worried me a lot in city traffic (particularly my Lotus 7A) paricularly the pulling over in my lane on top of me. The MINI while short in height at least is tall enough to be seen by most paassenger cars. Trucks and large SUV's scare me, paricularly the cell phone users. As to Long Island and NYC drivers, motoring is something of a contact sport and bluffing affair, and when both are bluffing then you have contact, first vehicular often followed by physical. No place for the faint of heart.

 

When my wife was hit in her MINI [we both have one] by an H2 Hummer, the driver argued with the cop that it was HER fault, not his. He said to the cop that her car was too little to be seen on the road and was a hazard.

After the cop issued his citation for improper lane change and reckless driving, the guy suggested the cop could go "reproduce with himself" [but in much cruder language] and proceded to tear up the ticket. this also added a disorderly conduct charge to his day. My wife enjoyed this and really enjoyed teling me all about it. She said the damage to the car was almost worh the show.

After they guy begin to apologize to the cop profusely. the cop simply said, "Tell it to the judge" My only regret is thet my wife didn't get it all on tape.

 

I'd have to agree that It's mainly due to inattentive drivers talking on thier phones and such. Whats worse is when they run you off the road and don't even notice.

My wife was driving our MINI to work when she was cut off, had to swerve to avoid getting hit, ended up spinning around a few times and slammed into a wall.

A few months later we were on my motorcycle and the same thing happened. We were both thrown about 100 feet and walked away with minor injuries.

Neither one stopped or probably even noticed what they had caused.

 

I agree not being seen likely has more to do with other drivers' distraction than with our particular car.

 

Such as the lady who almost ran into me while she was going the wrong way down a one-way street while brushing her teeth!!! And she didn't even bat an eye.

 

A truck almost reversed into me (fortunately I was paying attention at a stop light so I honked), because he was tryin to get out of a turn lane. Truck wasnt even lifted, and I was a good distance behind him...

It seems to help during the day to drive with some front lights on also (xenons, I just leave the switch on). I have ever since I got my mini.

 

Never been into guns lol.

Wouldn't know what to do if I shot someone and killed them.

At least with the taser, I can shoot them and laugh at them in pain for 30 secs. Maybe smack them over the head a few times during the 30 secs too...I'd get so much joy out of it.

 

Distracted & plain old bad drivers are everywhere. No such thing as lane discipline in this town. Be a defensive driver & be careful out there.

 

I do notice that flashing the high beams (xenons) at night gets people to notice you and move out of the way.