I have been a MINI owner for a few months now and I noticed that even though there are many friendly waves and nods exchanged between MINI motorers on the highways and byways , when you actually to speak to them there appears to be a certain series of distinct castes or classes. So far, to me, the breakdown appears to be as follows (in no particular order):

1. Purchased pre-release of remake of Italian Job versus after [clearly those who purchased after are inferior beings, too easily influenced by slick visual entertainments]
2. Drive Cabrio versus Hardtop [where cabrio owners are either carefree individuals who live life to the fullest or uninformed drivers with too much money who don't appreciate real cars and are deaf to road noise.]
3. Purchased in the first year of production versus all subsequent [where those who purchased in the first year are clearly cutting edge, prescient individuals with flair, style and fashion and all others are merely followers - slaves to marketing] [NOTE: the first year purchaser can carry this privilege forward should they purchase or trade in for a newer model]
4. Mod versus Stock [where modders are either clearly unappreciative of the fine craftsmanship of the original creation or true motorers who truly understand the joy of it.]
5. Owners of Classic Minis versus New Minis [where the classic owners are either the real aficionados of motoring or merely persons with a very low quality threshold who can be overserved by a car made out of wax paper and powered by a lawn mower engine]

Who are you?

 

Edit: My response wasn't very nice. Look at the last few Mini Challenge results to see what low quality wax paper lawn mower engined classics can do.

 

 

So, you are able to discern all these personality traits by passing oncoming MINIs at highway speeds? You're amazing, simply amazing.

I've only been able to break it down to two categories: those that wave, and those that don't. I can only conclude that those in the first category saw me. My psychic abilities so far have not allowed me to tell if the others simply didn't see me, or if they are exhibiting "attitude." Guess I'll have to work on my ESP.

 

Yes, I am.

Oh and lighten up :smile:

 

What number am I thinking right now.Nope thats not it.And if you think you can pidgeon hole me into one of your castes,bet you can't.
I wanted a new MINI from the first time I saw one in a car rag,years before the release.1 year later I had one.I also wish I had my classic I had 25 years ago.
I drive with my windows down year round,for the road noise
I have front mud flaps,an Elbow Landing Device,04 bonnet grills,and a new tranny,and do 500+ miles a week

Ya buy what you want when ya can. Ya mod it if you want/can.Ya buy it cause you think it's cute,goes real quick,handles like not much else,and like nothing else for the money,or ya just want a car.WHO CARES.IT"S A CAR.

Lets not talk castes,lets talk MINI's,and support each other

 

There may be subcastes too, but not MINI untouchables. I guess #3 is the brahmin group because it's the only one that cannot be entered retroactively. How about if you married into it?

 

Now, I could go on a rant here, calling you a dimm witted half brain who doesnt have the sense to use the God given gift of reason and so on and so on... But I ain't going to...

 

C'mon folks. Lighten up. neiljg's lampooning stereotypes. Right?

 

Originally Posted by Rick-Anderson
WTF? I think you need to add #6. Uninformed idiot who has been a MINI owner for a few months now.


Now there I was thinking this was a boring thread and wondering why I was even looking at it, when all of a sudden I see this! Gave me a good laugh!

Thanks R-A !

 

It is completely clear who rules the new Mini caste system. First-year-of-production no-sunroof modders. No question.

Not that I'm an expert on the classics, but I would have to give the nod to those few souls with a fully original, personally maintained, Cooper S daily driver.

 

Okay, so where do you fit in with this..?

• 05MCS, prior to that a 04 MCS, 03 MC, 02 MC (first in area)
• other family car = wife's 03 MC
• other, other family car 1979 Mini wagon
• prior Minis - 59 & 74 Saloons, 71 and 74 Clubman Saloons & 68 Pickup

I suspect except for Rick A and a couple others, the rest of you are not worthy to kiss our tailpipes (watch they can be HOT)


In reality, there is a very diverse group of people buying Minis and with their increasing popularity there will be plenty of people we can pick out to poke fun of. But let's not. No matter what the reason for purchase, I think they made a wise decision and show discerning taste. Besides, eventually there will be more used Minis that can be bought & modified for autocrossing!

 

XAlfa is right on the mark.

'02 MCS, no sunroof, nicely modded.

 

Where does this put the 07 new version owners

 

#7?

regards,
Red

 

Maybe they go back up the list,as they are buying an unproven version,maybe 3.5

 

Can't I just be a guy who bought a MINI cuz they're so dang cute and fun to drive? I guess this is more ontologically serious than I had originally thought!

 

You forgot the catagory about the lucky MINI owners 1 of only 1000 MC40 Editions

Just kidding, I think I paid too much anyway, lol ... I dont know about there being 'classes'. As far as I'm concerned, if you were smart enough to be a MINI at all, then you're OK in my book

 

What about, "old farts who just turned 60 buying a MINI because it's a really neat toy?"

 

You might have forgotten one: "uptight MINIacs who have no sense of humor"...

Goodness gracious! First of all, your good-natured post made me smile. Thanks, dude!

Second, those who responded in a prickly fashion need to take a few steps back from the keyboard, breathe deeply, and look in the mirror. Relax! Now, go back to the keyboard and surf the threads here at NAM. I think NAM may be the coolest thing on the web.... I absolutely love it and feel deeply indebted to the posters who have illuminated MINIdom for me, even those without a sense of humor. But don't tell me you can't find every flavor of MINI snob that neiljg poked fun at... they're all here.

The cool thing is that they're all welcome, too!

Motor and let motor.

Thanks again, neiljg. Party on.

 

I motor,you motor,we motor.Lets not make it anything but fun,quick,outstanding motoring

 

Wow. Maybe if some feel left out you should have been more direct and just asked for everyones catagories so eveyone fits in.