Well for the first time today I was brave enough to let a fellow co-worker borrow my Mini to grab a bite to eat. She used to work for the company a few years back and just came back to work with us 1 week ago and hasn't moved anything including her car back here yet. Our company was nice enough to put her up in one of the many guest houses people stay in for Shows and conventions that the company puts on but they do not supply food. Since it was raining out and she had no way of getting something to eat I really felt bad for her and I know how I would feel in that same situation. What was funny is she drives a Big BMW 7 series and she commented about my Mini when I waked in earlier in the day. I bet she never thought she would get to drive it. She came into the office and tried to order a pizza but since the phone number will not show up they wouldn't let her order one. Finally I gave in and asked her if she would like to borrow my car. It didn't take her 2 seconds and she was like really? Well when she got back she couldn't stop talking about how much she loved the Mini and how fun it was for her to drive. I really wasn't expecting her to say anything good, going from a $60,000 7 series to a little $23,000 Mini S. But she said that was the most fun she ever had in a car, and she only had it for 30 min. Needless to say I thought I would be more nervous than I was but I guess the thought that she was a fellow BMW owner and her car cost about 3 times as much as mine and she was out having a good time while I sit at work in front of a computer and type stuff made me feel a little better. At least my car wasn't just sitting in the parking lot. LOL

 

That's a very nice thing you did!


(I wouldn't make a habit of it though, right? )

 

It took me 2 months to let my better half drive my MINI when I first got him, and about a year before anyone but a Services Advisor was able to drive him!!! But I would let a 7 series driver go behind my MINI wheel also!

 

You brave thing, you.

 

You did a great thing; kudos to you.

But I gotta ask... Unless I read the story wrong the two of you were still at work, right? Why not say "hey, let's hop in my car and find you some food!"? That way, you could have still driven the car (or heck, been a passenger while she drove!), and had some fun companionship along the way, not to mention the "knight in shining armor" image would remain intact!

 

The car? Or the Husband? <G> LOL

 

Precisely what I was thinking!


THAT was scarey...

 

A. Are you a guy?
and
B. Is she attractive?

I'm a gal, and I could never, I MEAN never, let anyone drive Dobby. The only person other than me who has driven him is my husband, and even at that, he's only driven Dobby a couple of times....

 

Ideally, sexual favors should be involved when ever you let someone else drive your MINI. Money and other forms of favors run a distant second and third...

 

I let my dad's new brother in law drive Zooty, but then, he's a state trooper, lol. I figure if anyone could drive a car, it would be him. My dad has driven her a lot, too, with me in the car, I think he likes it better than his new '02 Mustang GT. But certainly, I get scared at the thought of anyone driving my car without me!

 

That was very nice of you..me I'm not so nice...

I did let my old boyfriend drive my MCS last week (because I fractured my collar bone a week ago skiing), but he said he felt somewhat ripped off because we were only going to dinner 2 miles from where he lives and because it is basically intown, he couldn't go over 30mph because of the traffic.

Anyway, some people are never happy

 

I trade cars with people all the time. If someone has an interesting car I'd like to drive, or if someone is really interested in driving the Mini, I'm glad to share (as long it's an adult I know and trust). Most people would rather take a beating than scratch some else's car, so they're extremely careful. Besides, every time I drive anywhere, I'm implicitly relying on all the other drivers -- total strangers -- not to crash into me. Every time I go to work, I implicitly trust more idiot strangers who park near me not to bash the car. Why not share the car with trustworthy people you know? Sharing the experience is part of motoring, right?

 

Totally agree. Words can only do so much to dispel the "clown car" image, convince naysayers that the MINI is an awesome automobile and just generally spread the MINI goodwill. I have let several people drive the car. Including a former classic Mini collector. My only requirement is that the borrower has to have at least basic knowledge in how to drive a manual. But even with that, I've made some exceptions. It's just way more fun when you share.

 

The only people besides the factory and dealership folks are my son,with me in the car,I do let him have some fun,and my daughter,with me in the car having fun.I even let her take the car to town ONCE,by herself,and except for the service guys moving it around into the service bays,that was the only time I've seen my MINI motoring.Looked good

 

My wife is gorgeous and tried that "sexual favors" trick, but I still wouldn't let her drive solo. Luckily for me, she doesn't hold a grudge!

Mike

 

Good point. That was the first suggestion I had but when she came to take me up on that offer, I was working with a customer and wouldn't be finished for over an hr. so I went ahead and did the nice thing and let her take my mini. Yes WannaMini_ i'm a guy and I wouldn't say she's attractive but not unattractive either. But I felt real bad for her and I know how I would feel in the same situation. As for the sexual favor thing that would be pretty NASTY!! well maby MILF!!. LOL Allthough I would like to drive a 7 series and I don't think I would get a chance otherwise. :smile:

 

Unfortunately in MI, trusting the rest of the people on the road often means you get to pay for their mistakes, (damn no fault stupid law ) I suppose i shouldnt complain too much if that reject hadnt smashed my audi i wouldnt be a mere few weeks from joining you all as a proud MINI owner, but then.. I really did love my A4. *sigh*

 

I won't even valet park my MINI. I've been known to park it myself several blocks away from a restaurant just to avoid someone else driving my MINI.

I did let one person from work drive it for a short distance because I had been drinking. But I don't know when or if I'll let anyone drive it again. :smile:

James

 

^^^ I don't blame ya there, James. I wouldn't let some kid working minimum wage as a valet drive my MINI either. Someone I know, fine. But no way would I trust any car to a valet.

 

I never leave any of my cars with a valet. They don't know how to drive a car with a manual transmission. I left a nearly new E46 with the valet at a pretty swank place, and he brought it back reeking of roasted clutch. Never again.