Have you noticed the number of people who SMILE when they first see your Mini? Thumbs up from honking great trucks, spike haired teenies and every-one in between. This never happened with any other new car I've owned. Check out EYES FRONT on page 15 in the Members Minis Gallery.

 

One of the first stories I read on the Mini said you'll probably get 50-70 smiles to the gallon!

 

As per the Mini Brochere.

"Wave to other Mini drivers. We know you don't have to. But if you're the type of person we think you are, you might just be inspired to do it anyway. When you're heading downa street somewhere and you see another Mini, give the driver a wave, a nod, an "OY!", and index finger flip, a peace sign, a mock salute, a tip of the hat, or if close enough, simply yell over "Hello." He'll appreciate it, you'll feel good about it and the world will be a little friendlier. At least among Mini drivers."

But I guess this sort of thing occurs with or without Mini drivers next to ya.
BTW, what does "OY" mean?
Smile on.
Cheers

 

I would have to agree, people do go out of their way to point, gawk, give thumbs up, and generaly do a double-take. I guess they cant help themselves, but I suspect this is only a temporary thing for soon enough there will be many of us on the road and the novilty will wear off. I took delivery of my silverblack supercharged, rally-striped, rally lighted mini on fathers day and the way people act, its as if I was driving around in a space-ship. Definatly a lot of fun in a small package.

 

>>BTW, what does "OY" mean?


I'm guessing it would be a slang british greeting... Sort of like 'Yo' was back in the 80's

Rocketboy_X

 

Yup, "Oy!" is the Brit equivalent to Hey! or Yo!.

 

Men keep asking me if my Cooper is fast. I tell them it's fast enough to get speeding tickets in (I haven't yet. knock wood) Women ask me if it's electric; I tell them it has a motor (I like to answer as vague as possible.) I had an officer of the law tell me he'd give me a parking ticket the other night if I didn't leave him my keys so he could test drive it. I risked my luck. My insurance agent (a compeditive race car driver) wanted me to let him test it.... not before my break in period!
I get thumbs up from guys in work vans. I get pushed around by women in superSUV's (what else is new?) I come out to my car in parking lots and have to answer a salvo of questions before I can get in and drive.
All told, so far it's been a great experience! :smile:

 

I love the smiles.. I try to be coy about it... trying not to RUB it IN to everyone .... or jump up & down to say nah nah nanana!...
but I get these responses

lots of turned heads (and smiles) on the highway....

parking lot questions like...WHAT is it....
Who makes it......
how big is the engine
is it new or a classic
kewl car.....
is it good on gas....(DUH)

how much does it cost?


one guy on my block said ..well I have to scratch that one off my list.. as you have one.. I told him he could buy a different color....

lets admit it....
we love it.....
its way kewl and wont be changin anytime soon


motor on!

S

 

I've had my Indy Blue cooper for 4 months now, and it's still the same response as I drive.. get use to it... just put an extra 10 -15 minutes in your travel time. As I was driving home from work the other night, a car came up along side of me, and the passenger got out a camera and took a picture as we motored on... one more journal entry!

 

Since I have had my Mini for 10 days now, I feel I am providing the public a service by spreading smiles as I drive. :smile: :smile:
I wonder if it will help cut down on road rage.
The reactions have been fun.