Ok Gang, we've seen the worst (South Fla and Kansas win), now how about the BEST place to LIVE and Drive our MINIs.

I'll go first. The Mountains of Western NC. No cops and lots and lots and lots of great roads. Everyone has heard of the Dragon but that's just the start. Plus 4-seasons with highs in the mid 80's and lows in the mid 30's.

Did I mention the total lack of cops? With the caveat that I'm talking about back roads, not the tourist routes.

Cheers

 

It's hard to argue with you on this as the area around the Dragon has some great roads. I would submit anywhere that has twisty roads associated with the Rockies though as there are some really long twisty roads that are pretty deserted out there with some pretty breathtaking scenery.


I've enjoyed my MINI the most in both those settings.

 

Northern Vermont.

Low traffic, great back roads, legal passing on double yellows (at least in theory), 50mph speed limits on the back roads when outside of the little villages. As long as you ignore the 4 months where you're forced to run snow tires, life is great!

Most of the same can be said for northern New Hampshire and Maine (except for the local laws).

 

Can't argue one bit about some of the roads back East in NC and Virginia..

I would also like to add that there are some awesome twisties out here in So Cal too....

Donna

 

I agree with you, Anteken, (BTW, where in WNC?). I grew up in the Highlands (highest incorporated town east of the Mississippi). Although my wife say's that I still have not grown up. When everyone else is sweating in the heat, we were wearing sweaters at night. I moved from Ft. Lauderdale and never regretted a single moment. The roads are awesome, and it never mattered what we drove, we always found a road to challenge. Drive US 64 through the Cullusaja Gorge, or race down Horse Cove. Plus any road leading in is a MINI heaven.

I just got Mr. Magoo and we are planning a trip in October to play with the roads.

 

Calle Ocho, Miami

 

Well, I have fun on the back roads of PA. No shortage of curves - - many so tight most cars can't even maintain the speed limit around them.

 

Donna, I wouldn't limit it to just So Cal - the whole State of California is the best place to drive your MINI.
You name it, we have it ... long straight stretches of highway, tight twisty curves of the coastal hills, sepentine roads of the Sierra Nevada mountains - and need I even mention Hwy 1 along the coast. In CA you can take 2-days to drive from one end to the other or you can change your compass and be able to travel between the ocean and the mountains in a few hours. California is the place !

 

Gonna have to say Germany Rhine Valley or Almafi Coast in Italy. Now, I haven't driven a MINI there, but I have driven a Subaru Forrester XT (Turbo) and had a blast. Can't wait to take the MINI there.

 

From the foothills in Alabama to the border with Canada, appalachia has the best MINI roads of any place in the USA. Pick up road maps for, Alabama, Georgia, Tennesee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine find a nice twisty with elevation changes and you, my friend, are in MINI Heaven.

 

Though I have never driven it, I would think that the world famous Pacific coast Highway through North Cal would be up there on the list....

 

1. North California
2. Hill Country Texas

 

Northern California...especially on my favorite Sonoma and Mendocino County roads that take you through the wine country, through the redwoods, and spit you out, shaken and stirred, at the shimmering Pacific.

 

Birmingham is pretty nice. We have no local dealer but we have a great local independent MINI mechanic (Stephen's Garage) and MINI's are still somewhat rare and unique although I do seem to see one most days.

Roads here are generally in good shape, we have nice hills and curves and are only a morning drive from the Dragon.

Oh, and did I mention that our local MINI enthusiasts are among the friendliest and fun around?

 

Sorry, no contest. The mountains of North Carolina. The roads are in good shape, no straights longer than 200 yards, great scenery, and little traffic. I know there are some nice twisties up in the Sierra's, but there's just too much other traffic out there. I've never seen more cars per mile than in California. Based on vehicles per mile of road, NC has got to have it. How can you beat the Blue Ridge Parkway?

 

Colorado and the Rockies! Yeeehaaaa twisties!

 

Agreed 100%. I just wanted to reference So Cal because that's where we live. I figured I would let someone from No Cal pipe in with info. from up that way...

Donna

 

Germany next to the Nurburgring. Could run it every day!

2nd choice is Gatlinburg TN area. Would love to run the dragon every day

 

Amalfi Coast!!!!

http://www.amalfilife.com/index.html



I moved from Italy (near there) in July. Sure do miss it. Whether on bike or in Mini it sure is fun motoring.

 

Not sure if this was mentioned but, how about Nurburg, Germany? One word, Nurburgring. Two if you add the Nordschleife.

Too bad you have to pay to drive on it.

 

Yes, it is hotter than a habañero in summer, but the rest of the year the weather is fine for convertibles/sunroofs. We have lots of flat land with curves and great mountain roads. Mt. Lemmon is a fun drive and the Patagonia area is pretty special too. Then there's the northland...open highways in Navajo county, twisty roads near Prescott.

But let's be honest...if you're in a MINI, almost any paved road looks good!

 

ALL DAY LONG 365 days 24/7 I am in

 

Sometimes I apologize to my MINI profusely as I drive along the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.

 

If i could afford it, I'd live in Malibu and drive around the
SantaMonica canyons like I did 6-7 years ago. it is a low altitude canyon
so no issues with losing emph!

go above 3000ft, you really start feeling it. by 5000ft. , by 7500ft
by 10,000ft .

 

Drifting around on these roads may not be the Dragon, but they sure are fun