I did post this question several months ago, but thought I would re-visit it one more time.

Today I get the MINI out on the freeway. Speed limit is posted at 70mph. I have the cruise set on 70.

I come up on and pass 5 cars that were doing less than 70. To the car, everyone of them sped up and passed me, then got over in front of me.

Two of the cars got in front of me, then slowed down because I never took off the cruise and came up on em again.

I just down shifted and blew passed em and took the next off ramp anyway.

I pass cars on the freeway in the wifes 5 series or my Dodge van all the time and never seem to have the cars I just passed try and speed up to pass me.

Anyone else notice this? BTW, I live in the Okla City area. Very friendly drivers.

I'm starting to think some folks just don't want to be passed up by the little ole MINI.

 

since i got aftermarket wheels everyone wants to challenge me. usually at stop light but some on the highway. i try my best to keep my car on car aggressive driving on the track. i'll zip around on the road but usually when no one else is around.

now on the race track is a whole other story. i was at a porsche event and another audi event this past month. the porsche drivers really don't want to let MINI's pass. they will pull away from me in the straights then i'll be back on their tails at the next turn. driving school etiquette states that if a car is on you in the turns let them by at the first available passing zone. this is taught in the class rooms at porsche schools but not enforced at it turns out.

the audi guys were really good again this year with passing. not that many overly aggressive drivers. one or two hot heads. one guy had even told me that his instructor told him to let me by. the driver then said "i guess that will make his day if he passes an audi". what and ego trip he was on.

at the audi school there were two wrecks with lots of damage. one was a porsche GT3 RS and the other was a 2005 carrera GT, yes the $450,000 one. it happened 12 feet infront of me on the track.

 

I have to say that I haven't really noticed people getting noticably mad at being passed by a MINI. Many seem to not notice me coming up behind them in the fast lane on the freeway though. "I have an SUV, I'm entitled to sit in the fast lane doing 5mph less than the speed limit, and I'm not getting over for anyone!"
They often seem surprised when I drop down to 5th and go round them on the right.

 

I think what you are experiencing is the cruise control wondering. Watch your digital read out for you speedo. Mine wanders as much a 5 mph when several hills are involved.

 

I think I saw your video. That was pretty cool.

How does driving school work? I am going to sign up for the Thunderhill driving school in Oct 2005. I've never been to one before.

And before I get too much off topic, it was foggy yesterday and it was stupid day. I was driving on 280 southbound and passed a Nissan Pathfinder going 60 mph in the second to left lane. I changed into it's lane from the passing lane after seeing it in my mirror and making sure it was clear. I was going about 10 mph faster. I look in the mirror and notice the driver flick the high beams.

Second instance was were a crappy mini van was behind me at a freeway onramp and I could see the guy pumping the brakes to make his front end bounce when he was about a two feet away from the rear bumper. What a Jackass.

Third instance was were an older Honda Acoord four door, pre 1995, was following me on 280 north and he was following me and when I sped up the accord sped up. I changed lanes to get to my exit and slowed down and notice the Accord had slowed down.

This all took place in a span of one hour.

 

Yeah, i've had this happen once or twice. But then again I've had it happen plenty of times in other cars I have driven. People dont seem to fond of being passed by volvo's either for some reason. Last night on the drive home I did meet up with one friendly F150 driver. After making sure I had plenty of space to change lanes I pulled into the middle lane. He was on some sort of charge up the lane and rather than changing into the COMPLETELY empty far left, he thought it better to run up on my bumper, flash his lights at me, then pass. Maybe he was just saying hello.

 

Yeah, he probably was giving you the F150, "I am a man", greeting.

 

I noticed this countless times. Usually it's a middle aged man in a pickup/SUV or a minivan. I either let them go or just downshift and let them sniff my
exhaust.

I saw some a-hole minivan driver (male, middle-aged) yesterday picking on
a modded xB on surface streets. I think those minivan drivers just don't
feel superior enough on the roads and want to feel some authority picking
on smaller, 'weaker' cars. it's unfortunate they can't afford to buy a fun
car for themselves and enjoy life.

 

Yeah,

Yesterday I was on the freeway (125 northbound) in light traffic but we were in a bunch with me in the front in the #2 lane. #1 lane is empty and a Dodge Ram is on my butt - way too close for 70 mph. I let up a little so he would go around but no he stays on my a$$.

Left foot depresses clutch, right hand goes to shift **** and goes from 6th to 4th and left foor releases clutch as right foot pushed the gas through the floorboard. and I leave him just as my passenger say "COP" . Let off and cop comes up like a bat out of he!!.

Pulls me over, "license, registration, and insurance" clocked you at ____ (would rather not say). I said, "Sorry, I just did it because the silver Dodge Ram was ridding my ***!" Looks at front of my MCS and asks, "do you have the front plate at home?" I said yes and he wrote me for no front plate and did not write the speed .

Earl

 

that sounds like a nice cop to let you off. In my experience (very limited, as i no longer have an 03 and am waiting for my new mcs) drivers were curteous to me when i was driving...

 

I have personally experienced a lot of these types of situations. All I can say is that a lot of people have very serious issues!

 

Oh, and that ole so rich mcs exhaust is so sweet smelling. Actually, I rev the engine a little to give these guys a whiff when they come to close.

 

This happens to me all the time regardless of car I am driving. If you are in OKC you are dealing with the same type of people as I do in kansas.

The type is the daydream driver....The daydream driver is widespread through regions of the country where the lack of congestion causes wild 20mph swings in speed, usually they are awakend by me passing them in the right lane, as you apear in their periphial vision they speed up and the at a 1/4 mile or so they go back to sleep. the pattern is only ended after you go by them at max speed and but several miles between you and them once they can not see you anymore they stop feeling quilty about their head in rear driving and go back to sleep.

 

I think it's happened in any of the cars I drive but I've noticed it most in the Mini. I'll be driving with the flow of traffic for the most part, and sometimes when I pass someone up they speed up and pass me and then slow down. Everyone has their reasons but it does seem as though they get upset because they get passed up by someone else!

 

...Well, I live with this sort of crap (and worse) every day.

Jersey driver's are perhaps the angriest (due to high property taxes and over-aggressive police) AND stupidist drivers I have ever had the misfortune to commute with. They take incredible risks for ZERO gain.

Minivan and SUV drivers would rather die trying than move over to the middle lane to let a faster vehicle through... I mean, it must insult their man-hood or something. I also notice the Subaru WRX crowd reeeaaallyy don't like getting passed by MINIs. Anyone else notice that? So, it's not just SUV/Minivan drivers... there are also groups of ricers that take offense to being passed by MINIs.

- - michael

 

Yep, I have also noticed the Mustangs, Camaro, and the other sporty american V-8 folks seem to not want to be passed by the MINI also.

But I must admit, I sure like the sound of a good ole american V-8 when the dirver gets on it.

I think back here in the Okla City area, its the P/U trucks and SUV's that tend to want to dominate the lanes. I think because they are larger in size, it gives them the right to kinda bully their way so to speak. Not all p/u drivers or SUV drivers are this way, buy many are IMO.

I always get a kick out of the SUV's that never see any use off the pavement, yet you see these high dollar rigs with the chrome headlight and tail light protectors, and the fancy front bumper protectors

 

how odd, I lived in the Okla City area for a couple years and most of the drivers I encountered were extremely courteous. I was driving a Mitsu Mirage (8 year model) back then, and even the big pickup trucks would yield the fast lane if I was approaching fast from the back. I once took a trip to Kansas City and those drivers were even better as they braked to let you pass.

Maybe things have changed?

 

I pass so many butt-heads in my 50 mile one-way commute that are parked in the left lane. It never ceases to amaze me... "Keep right except to pass" - it's the LAW in many states but who heard of that? headlights with wipers? what's that? turn signals?

the cell phone phreaks... that all important call just can't wait, can it... "what are you doing? nothing, driving... what are you doing?"

uuuuh, hang up and drive.

still at work. venting. ;-)

 

In SoCal, plenty of drivers cannot stand to be passed by a MINI. However, across most of the country, people are so interested in just seeing a MINI, that they tend to let me pass or they try to keep up with me, to the side, to check Wanda out!

Clover

 

MINIMIFFY, As I had mentioned in the starting post, I can drive and pass cars in the wifes Beemermobile, or our Dodge mini van, and never have problems with the cars I just passed speeding up to pass me.

I have had my MCS since 2003 and many times I have passed cars, only to have them speed up and pass the MINI.

Maybe they speed up and pass the MINI to get a better look Probably not.

 

Clo, You must have been reading my mind. Yep, I'm almost sure of it. People pass to get a better look at the MINI Its a nice thought, but I kinda doubt it

 

I don't know why people speed up but I have theory. They are driving in a daze and when you go to pass you wake them up and then they try to go the speed limit. I just hit the brakes (if its clear behind me) and fall behind.


If its not clear I just accelerate to get way past them and then resume my speed if they pass and slow down again I slow down a few miles an hour so I'm not gaining and let them play with someone else.


Paul

 

You will have a blast at T-hill driving school. You will begin with a classroom session, then an Instructor will be in your car with you for a 20-35 minute session. He or she will talk you through the course, and teach you how to drive fast. Each session is followed by a classroom de-brief session. You will get 4 or 5 sessions of this.

Then you will be hooked, and will want to go again

Check out ncracing.org for an alternative to the T-hill school.

 

Hmmm...never driven in Boston, have you?

 

I've been a passenger in Boston and the Boston burbs and it's SCARY.