Any guys out there having trouble getting respect driving your mini? I'm pretty secure with myself and don't care much what people think. However, I'm growing tired of the lack of respect that comes with driving the mini. Are these people ignorant, or just think it's a girls car because it's "cute"?

 

Give 'em enough line to hang themselves. MINIs are incredibly underestimated. If a comment is made take it as a challenge, offer them a ride and take them out to a very crooked road. Had a goat roper in a big dually stick his neck out and when we go back to town his knees were shaking and he thanked me for the ride and I never heard another word out of him. It's even better if you've got a moded suspension and a little track experience. You don't have to break the speed limit, those turns marked 30 MPH taken at 50 to 55 will smell up the cabin by the uninitiated.

 

They do think it is a cute girls car until they drive one, then they understand. My son absolutely HATED my MINI.....until I really let him drive it. Now he, and his friends understand the MINI thing.

 

Don't know. I've generally never felt any lack of "respect" from others on the road, in conversations with others driving sports cars at gas stations, at autocross events, in the parking lot of car shows, etc. It's sporty, interesting, fun to drive, gets a lot of attention from others, etc. etc. etc.


If you feel that driving your MINI is the primary cause of a lack of respect from others, I'm sure you can find a 500+hp muscle car on Craig's list to help improve your self esteem...at least until someone with a more powerful car pulls up next to you.

 

I'm 6'2" and people are shocked that I drive a Mini. Everyone says "You're car is so cute." Until they go for a ride in it. Then they realize the obsession.

 

Just placed an order for my first Mini 10 days ago and could care less about the respect thing. My previous car was a Honda Element so I'm used to not being respected!

 

The only people that show any disrespect are the ones that haven't seen my car. Once they get a look at it they start back peddling. Then I take them for a ride and they nearly s*it themselves.

 

I get a lot of positive comments about my car from people that I'd never expect (i.e. burly redneck dudes).

 

most people "get" the MINI....its small, easy on gas, "sporty",.....but most people dont seem to respect it because they have different priorities, plus its the classic bigger is better mentallity....

 

Horsepower isn't the reason for lack of respect. I believe it's just the "girly" reputation the mini seems to have.

 

The vast majority of comments I get on my car are not compliments. "why do you drive that?", "thats a girls car", "only gay people drive those" etc

However, just yesterday I was pulling into school to write an exam. Some kid driving an Audi R8 followed me into the parking lot and parked beside me. He got out of his car and said "nice Mini man!". Totally threw me off, especially considering what he was driving!

 

I get that, until they see my car or drive in it. I'm 6'2" 220 and have had many 500hp-700hp cars and people are shocked I choose the GP

Sent from my iPhone Office

 

It is all about self confidence....
At some point....you will not care....
The car makes YOU HAPPY....and that is THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS...
It is YOUR MONEY....YOUR CHOICE....YOUR CAR....
If you worry what other folks think about your choices....then your car is the least of your issues....

 

Just put a sticker that says RESPECT lol it's all about what u feel about ur car! These little bulldogs can hang with others on the road.

 

Any true car guy knows what the mini is all about. Had a kid in a civic once that gave me a limp wrist sign. I guess to imply that I was gay for driving a mini. I just blew him a kiss and floored it! he spent the next few miles trying to catch me. People can think what they want about me or the car I drive. I drive it for me not them. If it's good enough for Ferrari and Porsche owners it's good enough for me!

 

Wow. Really who cares. I love my mini. It's my daily driver. I also own a ranger rover sport , a jeep wrangler lifted and a vintage caddy convertible.. If u really care what other people think then u have other problems.

 

I've never noticed that. People seem to compliment my car regularly and it always seems to be from those you wouldn't expect. I get compliments from every imaginable demographic, lol.

 

I actually have never heard the "girls" car comment from anyone and never thought it had that look or reputation....VW bug-oh yea, a girl's car for sure...

Especially with the "bulldog" stance, I just don't see it...now when folks add those dopey eyelash dashboard protectors...well, that's another story...

What the car lacks in straight line acceleration it more than makes up for in the twisties....

I have had several folks tell me they have heard really good things about the car's handling....they are right

 

I get all good comments on my MINI. Even at the gas station people are always giving me a thumbs up!

 

No disparaging words toward my Mini. I do get some double takes when they see a 6'4" 240lb guy get out of it though.

 

I have owned Mini's now for almost 10 years and I have never once been disrespected or put down....never! Only comments were always positive and I have had a lot of comments over the years.

 

Ditto I always get do you fit?...I'm currently 5eleven 274 down from 354...why would I buy a car I don't fit in

 

My group of friends in my university program (automotive engineering) chirped me alot when I first bought the mini. went out with them on a run through the back twisties and lead the way. when they finally caught up at the end when I pulled over, they had magically found some respect for the abilities of the car and understood the decision I had made. One of them has bought a MINI since then.

I absolutely love my car and will drive the pi$$ out of it until the day it dies. I dont care if its only got 115 hp, it puts a smile on my face every time I get into it and thats all i could ever ask for in a car.

 

I hear ya...when mine arrives (2014 MCS volcanic orange) in a couple weeks I'm selling off my 05' 2500 ram diesel (already got rid of my 03' off road rock crawling modified jeep) and a few people think I'm crazy.

I've always liked the mini never owned one. Good thing I don't care what others think. A girly car is like vw bug with the flower holder in the dash.

 

Man, some of you are big guys. Maybe it's because I'm only 5'7 160 lbs...