hi all,

just returned from motoring down the WA, OR and CA coast from seattle to san francisco (where no one will write GAY on your mini, unless they mean it in a good way). here's the question:

why DO suvs hate to be passed by a mini (or any other small car, such as a miata)?

i have several theories after seeing the naked aggresion AND ultimate dissappoint by the suv drivers when they realize they will NEVER PASS me on curvy roads. it was really frightening (and somewhat fun, i admit) to watch them try as i seriously pushed the mini through some fun, fun terrian. watching those silly buggers so in denial about not driving a sportscar LEAN seriously over as they tried in vain to catch up to me was the highlight of my trip! some of them MUST have been on the verge of rollover, but for what?

answers, comments, and observations please....

curt

 

a freind of mine has a jeep liberty 4x4 hes getting 12 miles a gallon!

The insanity!

My mini is getting 25 miles a gallon sometimes more!

SUVs suck!

 

MOTOR ON, CURT!

The SUVs want to pass you so they can see the front your MINI in their Mirrors!!

 

A driver of an SUV figures that he/she should own the road since they are piloting a land barge......

Smaller is definitely better....SUV's SUCK! (Except the Aztek....man I just love those!

 

They probably get reminded of their small 'part' when seeing a small car from such a huge vehicle that seems to be compensating their differences with other guys.
But seriously though. If you've ever driven a large SUV and had some little car come around, behind or beside you, than you'd know. We're really not seeing out there. Wen't for a boot in my buddy's F350 just to see. I can see small cars approaching from a far, but as soon as they were behind, beside, or in my blind spot, forget it. Which would account for me almost getting knocked out of the lane that I was in by a few of them SUV's now.
But if the owners of them are just flipping you off for no damn good apparant reason, just either let it roll off, or give it back to them. There's no need for that.
Cheers and safe motoring,

 

>>Smaller is definitely better....SUV's SUCK! (Except the Aztek....man I just love those!


I was really starting to wonder about that. It'll be all fun and games until you get one in the driveway as a b-day present. Then what?
Cheers,

 

I love to pass SUV's... Great fun... I really like to beat them off the line at red lights too... The big old Ford Navigators are the most fun...

Motor ON>>>>> MINI's.. yeah....

Paul

 

>>It'll be all fun and games until you get one in the driveway as a b-day present.

 

Hello all,

I'm always disqusted by drivers of gas hogging SUVs when I see a big American flag decal on the back. Any idiot can stick a decal on their car or wave a flag. How about doing something meaningful for your country. We bought our MINI because we love the car, but also because we wanted to increase the average fuel economy of our cars. We need a truck for towing, but we downsized our Explorer to a Ford Escape. It gets 4-5 miles per gallon more and we are quite content with its size. Our MINI gets about 29 miles per gallon on average...far better than most cars, let alone SUVs. If we all drove more fuel efficient cars we would dramatically reduce our dependance on foreign oil suppliers and the Arab world.
Its amazing how people just don't care how much fuel they consume or how that effects us as a nation now and in the future. I guess they figure "the hell with my kids future, I'm going to use all the gas I can!". Its selfish and stupid and our government seems to encourage it.
That is my speech for today...



Joe

 

My 2 cents

I have nothing against SUVs, we own a Forerunner. I think they are ok vehicles. They use a lot of gas, but that's about it. IMHO there are only bad drivers, and they can be in any vehicle including MINIs.

Ever since I got my MINI I feel a little self conscious with all the stares, but it's part of the package for now until the MINI is known.

Is it that we are all feeling a little paranoid? I don't know.

My real gripe is with Minivans. I think they are all a bunch of losers (I don't mean to offend any current Minivan owners). They move those vehicles around with no regard for others on the road. Some may say there is no difference between a SUV driver and a Minivan driver. I beg to differ.

I am stepping off of my soapbox now.

Cherrio.

Lolo

 

>>Hello all,
>>
>> I'm always disqusted by drivers of gas hogging SUVs when I see a big American flag decal on the back. Any idiot can stick a decal on their car or wave a flag. How about doing something meaningful for your country. We bought our MINI because we love the car, but also because we wanted to increase the average fuel economy of our cars. We need a truck for towing, but we downsized our Explorer to a Ford Escape. It gets 4-5 miles per gallon more and we are quite content with its size. Our MINI gets about 29 miles per gallon on average...far better than most cars, let alone SUVs. If we all drove more fuel efficient cars we would dramatically reduce our dependance on foreign oil suppliers and the Arab world.
>> Its amazing how people just don't care how much fuel they consume or how that effects us as a nation now and in the future. I guess they figure "the hell with my kids future, I'm going to use all the gas I can!". Its selfish and stupid and our government seems to encourage it.
>> That is my speech for today...
>>
>>

Thanks for listening.
Lee Ann

 

silkgreen: any pictures of your trip?

 

Well said Lee Ann...enjoy your new MINI!!

Joe

 

Actually the Aztek is capable of cornering better than the MINI, but the drivers are simply unwilling to do so, since it causes all of their camping gear to be thrown around in the tent. Who knows, some ice crampons might rip a hole in the nylon or something.

 

On a serious note, I'd say insecurity. If you truly believe that your big vehicle is better, safer and superior why even care that someone passes you?

For men, this is called SPS (Small ***** Syndrome) For women, it's PEC (***** Envy Complex) Ok, so I'm done being serious.

I don't know if you've noticed but people who drive SUV's are the ones who ***** the loudest when gas prices go up. It's a lot like people who don't vote but ***** about taxes, corruption, politicians and government.

I'm not a hippy-tree hugger but I AMsick and tired with our dependancy on foreign oil; especially from the middle-east.

I used to drive an SUV because I liked the size and luxury they offered. I couldn't get that in a smaller car. Plus, I was single then and wanted a boat. But I digress.

One last thing. Gas here is CHEAP. Dirt cheap.

</RANT>

-Jim

 

One last thing...

I live up in the winter wonderland of Wisconsin and whenever there is a bad storm or there are slippery conditions guess who the FIRST vehicles in the ditch are? That's right, 4WD trucks and SUV's with people who think it is a license for invulnerability.

-Jim

 

OMG...................You like Azteks? I can remember people like you who just loved the Edsel.

 

I hate SUV's as much or more than the next person, but it's not because I think the driver's are some kind of traitors for using gas hogging vehicles.

As soon as it's profitable, alternative fuels will become a reality. But it won't happen until gas really starts to get scarce (which it isn't and won't be anytime soon) and expensive.

In reality, the SUV drivers are the patriots for using up all that evil foreign gas and bringing us more quickly to the day when an alternative is developed and made available!!!

I hate SUV's for one simple reason.....they are rolling barn doors which absolutely block your view of the road ahead. Same goes for minivans and big pickups too.

Far as I'm concerned, I look forward to the next gas crisis. When gas hits $2, $3 or more per gallon, the number of SUV's on the road will rapidly diminish.... (and I will pick one up for a song!!!!!)

 

SUV's are reasonable modes of transport IF your work requires it or you need to tow something like a trailer or boat. BUT, most seem to be smugly driven by myopic road hogs with little driving ability.:evil:

That said, MINIVAN drivers REALLY SUCK! Unless you're hauling a family of six or the soccer team around why would you buy such a contraption. AZTEK? Blecch! I think minivans are driven by persons who simply don't like to drive. Its just a mechanism to get from point A to B. The worst are drivers of dark green minivans....next time on the hiway observe them. Lane changes for no apparent reason, wandering over the line, no turn signals, unwashed & uncared for, the worst of the lot.... next I'll tell ya how I really feel...

 

LOL! It's amazing the proportion of SUV/pickup owners that drive as though they think they're in some kind of sports car, even while their top-heavy behemoths pitch and roll to and fro like a freightliner out in rough water. It would be laughable, if it weren't so sad. It is a danger to them and to the drivers around them. And no..SUVs are not safer (for a great read, check out High and Mighty by Keith Bradsher). SUVs trying to outperform a MINI on the road is akin to me taking my MINI off-roading through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Any takers? Club probably wouldn't last long as we'd all be dead.

The point is they ought to stick with what they're good at - going to Starbuck's to get their Frappucinos and getting the mongrels off to soccer, anything other than that and they risk embarrassing themselves at the least or getting wrapped up in a few tons of sheetmetal at worst.

 

bad drivers come in sizes, whether it be a mini, minivan, suv or even an 18 wheeler. once in awhile i'd see a small car weaving thru traffic like a madman, without any regard to the other motorist. same thing for the suv's, minivans etc. but, for most part everyones OK. i drive almost 100 miles a day to and from work, and believe me i've seen pretty much of everything. now, if everyone here is so concerned about gas mileage, maybe you should consider buying hybrids or diesel cars, as for me i don't own an suv. but if suv's is as much fun to drive as the mini, heck! my name will be the first one on the list. oh, my VW turbodiesel? gets 37 to 47 a gallon. i bought my MCS 'cause of the fun factor. fun looking at it, fun being in it, and most fun driving it. i didn't buy it 'cause of the gas mileage, 'though it was a plus. we can make comments, we can voice out our opinions, but lets not judge. for we don't want anyone judging our individuality with the mini. i apologize everyone, just my opinion.

 

>>bad drivers come in sizes, whether it be a mini, minivan, suv or even an 18 wheeler. once in awhile i'd see a small car weaving thru traffic like a madman, without any regard to the other motorist. same thing for the suv's, minivans etc. but, for most part everyones OK. i drive almost 100 miles a day to and from work, and believe me i've seen pretty much of everything. now, if everyone here is so concerned about gas mileage, maybe you should consider buying hybrids or diesel cars, as for me i don't own an suv. but if suv's is as much fun to drive as the mini, heck! my name will be the first one on the list. oh, my VW turbodiesel? gets 37 to 47 a gallon. i bought my MCS 'cause of the fun factor. fun looking at it, fun being in it, and most fun driving it. i didn't buy it 'cause of the gas mileage, 'though it was a plus. we can make comments, we can voice out our opinions, but lets not judge. for we don't want anyone judging our individuality with the mini. i apologize everyone, just my opinion.

I agree. Make mine a Hummer!!!!

 

For all of the suv haters check out this site:
http://poseur.4x4.org/index.html

 

>>
>>*Note...for people that may not be familiar with my Aztek comments....I'm only kidding.... >>>>>

Thank GOd! I can't stand those! Talk about ugly!

 

The SUV's will love my license plate "SUV 2BIG". Only about a month and a half before the Mini arrives and I get to test this theory! I let you know how long it is before some idiot tries to run me off the road.