Soooo...what's your policy on waving (or thumbs upping or acknowledging) to 2nd Gen MINI's? I must admit, I've been left hanging a few too many times by the new owners. I may have to start treating them just like they're driving a Civic or something and ignore them.

1st Gen Rules!

 

I wave at them all.....

 

I doubt that the majority of the Mini owning population even knows the difference between generations. Certainly not enough know enough to be knowingly snubbing other generation owners.
I think what you are seeing is the Mini becoming more mainstream which shifts the owners population from enthusiasts to just drivers.

 

Wave and hope for the best. They could be driving Mini Vans.

 

Agreed, I wave no matter what the MINI. Although no one is perfect...I'm sure I've missed a wave or two from others due to being focused on the road, or my mind being elsewhere or whatever.

 

I wave to all, Mini's in mine, and usually get reply's back. But while in my second vehicle a One Ton Dodge P/U, 4X4 Sparkling White, I wave also, but other Mini's dont wave back at the truck Hummmmmm.........

 

I wave if there's cute chics in the Mini's regardless of generations.

 

I would say there are more 1st genr's know the difference than 2nd genr's, as IMO most 1st gen'rs are enthusiasts. I haven't waved to any 2nd genr's yet but then again they haven't waved at me either.

 

I wave to all MINIs, but I'd say maybe 1 in 10 wave back...

 

Yea, as much as I might not appreciate the driving experience of the R56, it doesn't mean I don't like the people driving them. I'll probably wave when the time comes - every time I've seen one I've been driving my commuter. I have to say that R53 owners balk on the wave more often than not, so I can't expect any better from R56 owners. I remember when e30s used to always flash lights at each other - that was fun to be see as a kid.

mb

 

I've been put off by the total lack of acknowledgment I get from most MINI drivers.

I used to get nods and waves constantly with my Subaru Impreza STi. Now I feel rejected and I only feel the sense of community when I'm on the NAM forums. Where are all of you people in real life!?!?

 

I wave at all MINI's I see and almost all the time get a wave back. I haven't seen many 2nd gens on the road so I can't really comment on new owners.

 

I'm one of the few 2nd Gen drivers in my area. I was a bit disappointed at the number of 1st Gen MINIs that didn't wave back...

 

+1

 

i gave up on waving to 2nd Gens. I put in the effort and got nothing, now i know to ignore them.

 

I see too few of any MINI that I don't discriminate.

 

+1 to that. And, to me, MINI is MINI.

 

The way I look at it... MINI 'ethics' "require" that I wave at other mini owners, even if I get the "HUH? WTH was that?" look in return!

Plus, I always hope that maybe they will get the hint and wave in the future.

But seriously...to snub a wave because someone drives a gen 2 MINI ...that makes you no better than those that don't wave in the first place...

Just my 2cents

 

Here in my area of Los Angeles, it doesn't matter whether the non waver is in a 2nd gen or a 1st gen. I see so many dinged up and crunched unmodded 1st gen MINIs on the road that appear to be second/third owners that probably got a good deal on a commuter car. They don't wave either. There used to be all kinds of ways to determine who might be an enthusiast. On first gen MINIs, I would see if their '02-'04 models had the brake light mod with the paper clip/diode that enabled the rear fogs to become brake lights. I haven't seen any "differentiating" mods like that on the 2nd gens though so it's pretty much a crap shoot. =)

Richard

 

I see you found the emoticons...lol

to clarify my dilemma here, i waved at 2 gens since day one but never got any acknowledgement here in a Mini heavy town(edit=charleston for clarification). I guess i kind of gave up and dont look for it anymore.

 

Do you wave at other shoppers in the supermarket who have the same brand of toilet paper in their cart? No, you don't.

 

Are you ever going to just not heckle people? Seriously.

 

If it were a brand of toilet paper that brought great enjoyment when using and fostered a sense of camaraderie among fellow users... yes.

 

I'll be headed down to Redwood City on Monday. I'll wave if I see you.

 

I'm a Mini owner and I don't even know the difference between 1st and 2nd generation. I see a Mini, I wave. If anyone uses Charmin Plus, they also get a wave.