It's of course true that it really doesn't matter what aybody else thinks. Its also true that every car has some room for enhancement, be it in performance or appearance or just sound....and MINIs do simply cry out to be personalized. So each individual has to sort this out for themselves.
What I think Cooper4us may be getting at is that an extraordinary amount of friendly banter is spent on mods and performance driving. It's true here on NAM (to some extent...it comes and goes), its true of the cool MINI mags we have now, and its also true of many of our local clubs (mine at least...a good part of our meetings are devoted to performance driving and upgrade discussions). I mean, look at our sponsors...god bless 'em. Mods, accessories, and stuff galore....stripes, intakes, brakes, detailing supplies (...oh, and wheels), you name it, much of MINIdom has become product/advertising driven. So be it....no problem....its just the way these things work. But it does also occasionally leave the un-modded MINI owner (especially for MCSs because there's so much room for performance mods) with their head spinning, and feeling somewhat left out of all the banter. Seems reasonable to me anyway...

The general thrust of all this mod-oriented banter (whether here, in the mags, or in clubs) probably doesn't reflect the actual realities within MINIdom. Lots of Coopers are out there motoring about...and lots of unmodded (or lightly modded) MCSs. We should be exploring (especially on the club level) more creative ways of bringing these people in while still encouraging those pursuing various mods to carry on as well getting the level of support and technical sharing they want. I think (hope) that we will continue to develop this over time.

Look at classic Minis...we all love them! The Mk1 owners respect the Mk3 owners, and the VTEC Mini owners respect the efforts of those engaged in restoration. (...but all are based on aftermarket products and sales, aren't they?) Very different schools of thought...very different approaches...but all reflect a vital part of what Minis are (and have been) all about.

So who knows where all this will end up. I think threads like this do help a lot.....lots of discussion....but in the end I think we generally come to the same conclusions, that "a MINI is a MINI regardless of model," that one should "personalize your MINI to suit yourself", that "all MINIs are a blast, modded or not", and that "nothing beats the joy of motoring." What we're doing for ourselves, in some ways is defining (or restating) the soul of MINIdom...the core, unwritten thrill we all seem to get from these fantastic little cars. We're figuring this out for ourselves based on actual experience (not just ad hype)...and in the process we're also creating a definite vibe for the whole MINI scene.

I was visiting with a friend the other day who owns two restored classic Minis (award winners). He recently got a MINI as a daily driver....yup, bought him a CVT Cooper. Now this guy knows his Mini/MINIs, but he said he's just not into the whole performance thing. Its clear to me, that MINIs (amazingly) still have high appeal as daily drivers (the Issigonis school) AND to the racers (the Cooper school). And someday we'll also be restoring these little beasts as well. That one car (a machine) can inspire this level of enjoyment and devotion from both schools is truly remarkable.

I guess those of us driving unmodded cars will just have to find new ways of expressing our thrill and enjoyment with MINI ownership....or we can simply come up with more discussion about pop tarts, toilet tissue, ".", chocolate, and "wtf", which have also greatly contributed to the quirkey, unpredictable essence of NAM.

My 2 cents....

 

Hear, hear!! :smile:

 

Well said jds

 

I added the Light in sight mod and picked up a car length at almost every stoplight take off. Your results may vary. I think it costs $5 or $10.

http://www.lightinsight.com/our_product.htm

 

Great post, JDS!:smile:

I think you really were able to put into words the very essence of this thread.