ya. I will own the only one in my town (when i take delivery. stupid pushing back of 06 models to november )

 

You won't be the only one in Oakhurst, CA after this month.:smile:

 

Around here where I live we tend to wave at each other most of the time.On the back roads,you always wave.Well it's more of a lift of your hand off the steering wheel than a wave.But since I've had my MINI,there is almost always a smile too

 

^^ That was funny ^^ great idea (shhh I would never do that!)



^^ Don't you still qualify for kickbacks for "dealer referrals"? I think you'd make a fabulous (potentially profitable) MINI ambassador!

Still waving, flashing, and signing to MINI's on the road in the Chicago 'burbs (not to mention the frequent delays to my commute because of MINI-related conversations - I figure it's karma for all the silly meetings I attend, at work),

Tatt

 

I wave at everyone - S and Cooper. But it seems like the S owners are much more likely to wave back.

This doesn't really surprise me. I think a lot of S owners bought the car because they were enthusiasts. These are the people who are, by definition, "crazy" about their cars. They may have considered other sports and performance cars. They may have had British sports cars (or BMWs) in their past. And they get excited when they see another person who made the same choice they did! Right on, bro! Cool ride!

I suspect that a lot of people bought a Cooper because it was a small, attractive, economical car. And that's about as far as it goes. Some of them give me a look that I'm sure is saying, "Why on earth is that guy in the other lane grinning like an idiot and waving and honking his horn?"

"Don't look at him, honey. There's probably something wrong with him."

 

I have to disagree. I think it really depends on where you live. Here in Los Angeles, I think there are more MCS's than Coopers, and I've seen just as many MCS's that don't wave or are driven by non enthusiasts.

It's always funny to see MCS's driving in the slow lane or one lane over on a lane lane freeway--driving 55.

Many MC owners including myself felt the lack of a bonnet scoop just looked better than an MCS, and that in itself is probably an even greater reason why an MC owner is likely to be more of an enthusiast over an S owner!

It's all in the details!

Btw, I no longer wave at everybody. I do stick my arm up and if I get eye contact or a wave back, then I'll wave, but most people I encounter don't wave. It really comes down to IDing the car first. Does it look like an enthusiast car? Look for aftermarket exhaust, custom vinyl, anything non factory, and I'm more likely to give them a thumbs up than to a bone stock MINI.

 

The "S" may stand for "Special".Just don't let it go to your head

 

I'm the same way, i will acknowledge true enthusiasts who have modded their car and truly love it....but dont tend to really pay attention to the stock ones who tend to not be enthusiasts.

 

From what I can tell around here it's really hard to identify the enthusiasts. So I wave at everybody. Generally, they wave back. I drive a bone-stock (mostly) Cooper and I'm one of....no, THE....biggest enthusiast around these parts. One cool thing is that most of the neighborhood MINIs kinda know each other more or less by sight now, so waving is still very much in vogue around here. I haven't even talked to most of these owners, though, so there's still more good times to look forward to!!

 

1. You won't encourage a new owner to become an enthusiast will you?

2. You don't know what I have under the hood do you? Could be a pully and an intake and new ignition and intercooler mods and and and....

3. Or maybe my expendable dollars go into my classic, whereas the new one is transportation. Do you wave at unmodded classics? Maybe we see you as a non-enthusiast..... my classic is heavily modded, will you wave at me? Yuk - you have a new .... I won't wave at your wanna be rice-burner.

No - I'll acknowledge anyone who looks friendly and interested. That's how we convert an owner to an enthusiast. And a non owner to a member of the club

sign me: member of HamptonRoadsClubMini

 

I will wave BACK at anyone who even smiles at me....but for me to initiate the wave i tend to look for cars with mods...and i dont just mean performance...it could be graphics like a flag, or doodads hanging from the mirror, anything to show enthusiasm towards the car.

This is not how i have always been....i have had this car for 3 years now and have waved at hundreds and hundreds of MINI and classic mini drivers, but have been denied a return wave plenty of times. With this method of only returning waves or initiating waves with enthusiasts is the best way to do so. If they wave, i wave back. If their car looks like they have personalized it even just a little, i start the waving.

I do wave at every classic mini(modded or not modded..either way, anyone drivng a classic is an enthusiast), and I usually try to end up next to them at a light so we can talk. They tend to be very interesting to talk to about cars. I have a great respect for anyone who can get/keep one running well no matter how they modify/restore/style it.

I think that mine is atleast a bit better then someone who doesnt acknowledge MC's because they have 50 less horsepower. :smile:

If you dont think i can tell your car is modded, then wave at me first, and i will certainly wave back with a very enthusiastic smile.

 

Where I live I don't see MINIs very often, though more so now than a year ago. What I like to do is give a wave or nod to anyone who is an enthusiast. I have given and gotten acknowledgement from Evos, SRT 4s, Civics and Nissans, S2000s, and a favorite - Lotus Elise. If they love their cars and driving as much as I do, we are kin and deserve a hello.
Some are jerks, most are cool and give back the same.
Enjoy yours!

 

With me the quote should be "There IS something wrong with him" (actually a lot wrong but I have fun )

Earl

 

A typical MINI gets alot of looks. Now add some aftermarket MINI and other parts and the looks multiply tremendously. Check my gallery for what I mean

 

I consider myself an enthusiast. Besides the 2 Triumphs, the MGA, the Jaguar, and the Austin Healey BJ8 in my background, I'm on this board and my local club's board. Just last week I pulled into a parking lot, parked in a space next to another BRG MINI, whipped out my camera phone and took pictures. If that's not "enthusiastic," I don't know what is!

I'm just a broke enthusiast. My mods? I installed the audio input and alarm system myself, and a RoadRunner horn and a pushbutton for my garage door opener.

So Tillie looks stock and, well, she is stock. But I'm an enthusiast! Really - really! I am!

 

Well then if you wave, i will know you are enthusiast, and i will wave right back at you (you know, if you are willing to wave at a cooper )

 

(best I could do - no "wave" smiley!)

 

Just completed a 1000 miles trek form DC to Niagara and back. Lots of looks and stares and smiles and waves. Mini's are dine a dozen in DC but once you get out 40 miles or so, they are rare. It seems few take road trips in them. I guess people think they are too small. Whatever!

In previous weekends we went up to a winery in MD. The kid (teenager) actually asked me "what kind of vehicle is that?". Took me by surprise at first. Very cool.

It feels good to be driving and interesting car, but one that also is a great performer.