I was taking the MINI out for a spin today because of the nice weather. It had been a couple of weeks, so it needed a good workout.

I was driving down a two-lane road, at about the speed limit to 5 over, when I came upon some chevy something. He was going a bit slow for my liking, so I noted the dotted yellow line, looked to find zero oncoming traffic, signaled left, and passed him. While passing, I never got over 5-10 mph over the speed limit. When I pulled even with him, he started honking and signaling pleasantly with his hands.

I got in front of him and accelerated because I was a bit scared that I really pissed the guy off. He caught up, rode the horn, and hit me with the terrifying double middle finger salute. How was he steering? Not wanting to further infuriate this individual who had apparently had a bad day, I politely lowered my window and pointed to the dotted line with my pointer finger.

That didn't work. He signaled for me to pull over. Right. We came upon slower traffic, and now that I was a little scared of this fellow, I passed another car to put a buffer between us. He did the same. I was now watching for him to pull a gun or at least a sling shot.

I knew I couldn't lead him back to my house, because by this time it was apparent that he was following me. Physical altercations don't suit me, so I decided to make an escape plan. The road I was on was straight with a few lights - this wouldn't work. There was an on-ramp to a highway about a mile up - that's where I'd make my escape.

We rolled up to a red light right before the on-ramp, and I made sure to time it so we wouldn't have to stop since I saw him take off his seatbelt. I can't help but think this made him more angry. When the light turned green I accelerated quickly to enter the on-ramp. Now, I've been driving this on-ramp forever, and I knew it wouldn't take much to lose him on it.

It's about 1/8th mile long with a tight right, a straight, a sweeping left, another straight, then a tight right before the merge. He followed me in (about 8 car lengths behind), but was nowhere to be found by the time I got out. I quickly hit the next exit on the highway and went back the other way and saw him. I waved but he didn't see me. THAT would have been perfection. Escape successful.

Love the MINI!

mb

P.S. - it should be noted that I never exceeded 5-10 mph over any posted speed limit during this whole ordeal and my pass on the gentleman was completely legal.

 

I live in hills where spirited driving is the norm. There are few straights, used one to do a (legal) pass, and the dude floors it to keep me from passing! That was in a 99 Civic Si.

Another time at a 2-1 merge and I was in my 75 Fiat Spyder, the guy paced me to make sure I couldn't merge! Had to slam the brakes, and I saw them laughing! After the merge, they slowed to screw with me, I got around (they were going way slow, much below the limit, and I hit the right gear and they didn't). Then they rode my ***! I was actually afraid then, we hit triple digit speeds.... I was really scared. It was late at night and no one around. They followed me around a turn, but thank god there was a cop on teh side of the road. I was obviously over the limit, but pulled over by the cop, told him of the preciecing events, even admitted to speeding due to fear. He listened, turned on the lights and siren, and shot after the car like a bat out of hell!

I have no clue why there are so many who are so easy to anger. Lifes too short to be so sour. Glad it all worked out for you.

Matt

 

Yikes, good getaways, guys!

There sure are a lot of jackasses out there. Sometimes I think peoples' brains just shut off when they get behind the wheel.

 

Good work..keeping your cool. Man I swear sometimes it is just the "size" of the Mini and the size of the guys "appendage" you are passing that infuriates them! They truely are pieces of trash!

\Red Necks!

 

Yeah I've dealt with my fair share of annoying drivers, usually more fun when I'm driving the family minivan, nobody wants to be passed by it, people are more than willing to get out there and take the tickets while I cruise comfortably

As far as a get away car I think there's quite a few better options out there. And E30 or E46 M3 will handle just as well, get out of dodge quicker and blend in a heck of a lot better than a MINI, and you wouldn't even need a guy in the train station to mess with the lights for you.

Maybe its the attitude of MINI elitism that infuriates them? Or are you stopping and checking sizes of people you cut off? What makes them trash? I won't even touch on the redneck connotation to stay within the site guidelines. Attitudes like that post make it real easy to understand why people aren't fond of MINI drivers.roll: Such a level of intolerance toward other drivers its no wonder road rage is so common. For all we know the guy in the OPs story was on his phone troubled about something else and felt like he was cut off and made poor choices as a result in an attempt to escalating things unnecessarily.

 

Ok ok ok fine - the MINI is the perfect getaway car for me. The two cars you mention are certainly more capable in practically every area except possibly practicality.

mb

 

Why does it seem like there is so much sniping going on in so many of these posts? Not just this thread, of course, but as someone relatively new to NAM, it seems like there is a lot of bickering and bad attitudes in general.

 

Will, if you've looked at many other on-line fora, you'll see that NAM is fairly benign. NASIOC and any other of the Honda fora come to mind as alternatives. Yes, you'll find the same mindset here, but in far less quantity. Filter what you must (ignore list) and enjoy the rest.
As to the OP, if your intent was to drag out the problem and attempt to prove your "manhood", then you did just fine. Congrats. The more civilized response would be to just ignore the idiots and be on your way. To each their own.

 

They are also more capable of making my savings disappear quicker than the mini.

 

I live where it's too flat and too straight, I need to be around twisties where the MINIs will be more effective getaway cars.

 

Maybe it is just me, but how does one "just ignore" something like the OP described?

 

Coops you catch the color of his steering wheel?
http://www.topgear.com/content/video...broadband.html
(from last weeks Top Gear, steering wheel changes color with mood)

 

Reading is a beautiful thing - he motioned for me to get out of my car and took off his seatbelt as we approached a stop light. I felt it reasonable and prudent to be away from him. And you. Get out of my thread.

mb

 

In a perfect world we wouldn't need to have getaway cars. Well, in a perfect MINI world, there'd be no straight roads.

mb

 

Whoa..easy there partner..Didn’t mean to offend you. I never claimed any elitism...nor have I ever cut anyone off in the Mini! In fact, I am a conservative driver on the street in general. Where do you just fire off on these accusations?! I see non-solicited aggressive activity against the Mini WEEKLY here in Denver! Perhaps you live in Nantucket where everything and everyone is perfect. But not here. We have our share of less than polite drivers.

Coming from a 500 HP Audi now that is a sleeper that really could **** off some people and would "encourage" less then legal behavior...in fact one of the reasons I sold it.

Regardless if he was having a bad day...the guy chased him to his house nearly..asked him to pull over to engage in a likely physical altercation and flipped him off multiple times! Seems like a great guy you would want to have a beer with....probably a Bud Lite too...YUCK!



\Rant

 

Yes, that's right! People are never just stupid, bad or mean.

It is the responsibility of people who follow the rules and do not use or threaten violence to respect the right -- no, the NEED -- of these poor victims of fate to behave badly, and never to criticize or punish them.

Remember, people who misbehave just probably have some new "syndrome" or "self-image" problem that prevents them from being civil or courteous. They can't help themselves. There is no such thing as "inappropriate" behavior; and there should never be consequences for "poor choices" because everyone is a victim.

So, the next time someone behaves threateningly toward you, don't evade them; don't get angry. Stop and offer him or her a nice refreshing Jello Pudding Pop and offer to listen to them tell you about their bad day.

 

You are cracking me up...bravo..heh +1

 

Sadly, the "Are you an idiot?" question is not included in the driving test. It would help to eliminate a lot of behaviour that was exhibited by your antagonist, mb. Just a thought.

 

Wahh! I don't LIKE Jello Pudding Pops! You're insensitive! Now you've EARNED the beating I was going to give you for no good reason!



To the OP, a quote from Top Gun:
"Better to retire and save your aircraft (and your face) than push a bad position...You take a hard right, select zone 5, you can extend and escape."

 

Very well done! I love that movie. He tried to go below the hard deck to get me, but I extended and escaped. Man, and to think I look up to Maverick! Next time I'll put on the brakes and he'll fly right by.

mb

"the defense department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid" - goose

 

"Too close for missiles....switching to guns!"

 

"Son, you don't own that plane, the tax-payers do! Your ego's writing checks your body can't cash - you've been busted, lost your qualifications as section leader 3 times, put in act TWICE, by ME! With a history of high speed passes over 4 air control towers and 1 admiral's daughter..." "Penny Benjamin?"

mb

 

Great Story Mark, You did the right thing.

 

Thanks Manny - is that more bling in your speedo I see????

garylimey might plan another v-17 trip over on nemini - you in?

mb

 

Nice story. Although I'm the kind of person that doesn't mind an altercation or two. I probably would have obliged him and pulled over.

what was the driver in, a chevy something doesnt really say a lot...car, van, truck, suv?