Hi guys/gals am a bit depress ! I went for a ride earlier on my 02 BRG MC. I was going up on Sunset Blvd (here in LA) from the beach , when I noticed a 05 JCW MCS turn into the street to go the same way I was. I had a big smile on me , when I saw it !! I picture both of our cars riding up together . When a light turn red I aproach it on the left and waved hello , but what it came next is the reason am writing! The person driving the car just gave me a glace pick up her phone and continue on like I wasn't even there. This has not been the first time this has happen , and it appear that it is more common than ever with new Mini owners.
I had my car since 02 and back them when ever another Mini was in site, we would wave and smile at each other like crazy people. What happen to the good old days !!!! I love my MC and I aways thought other would admire fellow mini owerns as much as I do ! Has the mini become another common car that is taken for granted !!!

I like to wave and aknowledge other Mini owners but I don't what to feel stupid waving and not been noticed . Is there a sticker or some kind of sign out there that let's us (wave deprive ) Mini owners know that we are still out there and ready to wave ? Thank you for your patience!!!!

 

I know what you mean and it sucks. Some people just don't get it and that too bad for them. I have a lady with a SG MC lives near me and she never ever acknowledges me. Whatever I'm over her.

The other day I was driving down my street and this PW/B MINI comes alonga and she stopped and I stopped and we chatted and it was great.

Also another time I was coming home at night and spotted a guy in a PS MCS and I flashed him then got behind him and he wanted to signal me back so bad he turned his lights off and on.

What happens is after being denied a coupe of time you can begin to have doubts then you hesitate to gesture and the other guy waves anyway and thinks your a big A-Hole.

 

I hear ya, TwitchINC! I see many MINI drivers on the road, daily...and they rarely give me eye-contact, let alone acknowledgement. I guess it was inevitable, once the MINI became more common in W.L.A. Still...it is disappointing and sad.

Clover

 

You are probably right !!!

 

Well, there is no waving smilie but thank you guys !!

 

It’s something you’re going to see more and more as the MINI’s are sold to people who have not a clue other than its small and cute. They don’t get it and never will.

I was in CA for a short time last week and saw many MINIs and no wave or recognition, but I chalk that up to being in the LA area and having more MINI non MINI folk.

Where I live if I see a MINI once every 2 months I’m thrilled. So I wave, honk, flash, and even moon them getting my butt as close to the window as I can while driving.

We are hard core MINI people where I live because we’re 600 miles from a service department and dealer – not 20 min like the LA area.

 

I know nearly 2 years ago the chances of another MINI driver waving at me was really high. Now though, people don't wave/honk/hi-beam me unless I initiate it first, and even then, the response rate is much lower. I usually hi-beam (during the day) any other MINI on the other side of the street or when passing do a quick honk-honk. Oh well, the MCS now comes in Auto too, so what should we expect...

 

Low blow

 

I rarely bother any more unless it is obvious that person is an enthusiast – eg. some kind of sticker, obvious custom stuff such as lowering, custom rims, plates, whatever.

 

Getting to be the same way with us to, wellcpme to the depribed of waves club!

 

Is it that people get a MINI as a Econo Car rather than a Motoring Car? I still wave or flash. I get fewer returns though.
John

 

NO! You guys can't give up. That's the beginning of the end!.

Were I live Minis are still a bit scarce. Most of them don't have a clue what's out there in Mini Happy Land. It's too wierd seeing someone in a slick looking S and then come to find that they really don't even know what they have.

I even put a MINI sticker on my Ford Expedition so Mini owners didn't get too scared about some freeky dude waving to them in a big ugly SUV,

DON"T GIVE UP! Don't be mad at them for they know not what they have

 

If there's eye contact, they should at least knod or something.

but I must admit, sometimes I am tired while driving and like to be left alone. I usually don't make eye contact when Im in that state of mind though. I guess I am selfish sometimes (?). but 99% of the time, I give a quick wave.

so anyone who sees my car in chi-town, don't be offended if I don't
make eye contact. I'm probably just tired from work or something...

 

That is really too bad! I always try to wave or to another MINI. Around here most will wave/flash back. I think some of it has to do with how the car is sold. Our dealer is very active with the local club and their entire staff even come to events. If it is sold as just another way from point A to point B people don't know what is out in "Happy MINI Land"!

Can

 

I was right next to a BRG Cooper on Thursday on 70 headed towards Indy. The woman never did wave, look over and in any way say hello. She was behind me, I slowed down a little to greet her as she passed but nothing. Maybe she was embarassed because she had a donut on the front right.

I find myself going out of my way to say hello but rarely get a reaction from other MINI owners. However, people in other cars seem to really like the MINI so I get my jollies from waving and smiling at them.

 

I find it interesting that anyone would say that ignoring other drivers on a personal level is "Rude." No one has a claim on my time, attention, or emotion. If I am listening to an interesting news story on the radio, or thinking about work or some other important task, the last thing I want is to have to respond to everyone who thinks I owe them attention because I purchased a similar automobile. Its like junk mail, or spam, or phone calls from solicitors at dinner time. If I'm in a happy mood and notice you and respond, great. But to hold it against people because they do not respond - now thats rude.

 

i wave at all the MINI's i see.. most of the people think I am totally crazy...


I think most of them are in a driving Coma.. I pulled up to an indy blue at a light.. rolled down my window.. and yelled "hey.. nice car".. it took them probably 15 seconds to realize i was also in a MINI..

come on people .. WAKE UP!!!

 

Yes, I think this accounts for 98% of the non-waving I've seen, but around here, yeah, most people do wave. In fact, waving is so prevalent here that if someone doesn't wave for some odd reason, most owners will hunt you down (flash lights, honk, pull up next to you...whatever it takes) to get your attention...simply to accomplish the simple wave. It's nice.

Now, I can imagine in a more saturated MINI market you just get so many owners that there is a natural over-abundance of owners who simply wanted a trendy car and have no interest in the MINI scene, MINI owners, or MINI history/heritage. They have no idea what they're driving, I guess.

The sad thing and the thing that is so infuriating....and even hurtful....is that wavers have taken the initiative in extending an enthusiastic act of openness and warmth to a complete stranger (except that they're in a MINI) and that this extension of self is met not with a reciprocal reply, but with complete indifference, or worse, rejection. That smarts.

I'm glad the majority of owners still have a place in their hearts for their fellow MINI motorers. I suggest we give non-wavers no sanctuary and that we take steps to help ammend their recalcitrant ways by merciless and enthusiastic displays of waving if only to save them from a joyless, empty, and bland MINI ownership experience.

 

Saw a MINI today pulling in to the lot of a shopping center and had to go out of my way to wave at them - The spirit lives not everyone has it. Wave the next time you see me OK.

 

Sadly it does happen.

But you'd always get a wave or some other form of acknowledgement from me. I usually go out of my way to locate and acknowledge every MINI I see. There is nothing better than a MINI to MINI wave. But for every one successful wave I have there are four other complete shut downs to go with it... BUT I will keep on waving...even if that means I look like a complete Jackass.

It only takes a few to keep the Spirit alive. Its what makes MINIs so great.

 

ehhh, waffa een ooo ongt wsfs do oda inys ?
is ooo eee dem, ooo ongt aiv? atsss ont ice!

 

It's the same with motorcyclists. The crotch-rocketers rarely acknowledge fellow riders. It's a generational thing I think.

The younger folks are just so into themselves they don't get that 'it's about the wheels!'

Way back when when I got my Honda Odyssey fellow minivan drivers waved There's a genuine excitement and solidarity when the vehicle is new or different or has history. The mini is becoming commonplace and more people are getting it as an accessory to their lifestyle or image.

 

How many more threads like this do we need? Give it up, it'll never change. The MINI is unique but it'll start to pile up on the 405 freeway. Wave if you want and just be ignored.

 

True, topics like this do come up on a more or less cyclically. imo, its just the nature of things here. Kinda like whether the MINI is a girlie car......or pics of the Cooper with boobies. I think it's all kinda funny!

 

If someone waves, great. If they don't so what! Where does it say that Mini owners must wave at each other. It was something started when there were few on the road. As more and more of these cars sell less and less people will be interested and the car will become more common. When I bought my car, no one said I had to wave or make me sign a legal contract to that nature. Not sure why you expect people have to wave back.