>>I'm surprised no-one has mentioned this: The MINI is designed perfectly to allow the passenger to wedge himself into a stable position. Place one knee against the door and the other against the center-cluster riser and hold onto the door handle. Three-point stability!
>>
>>2nd
>>
>>

Excellent point to remember in educating the first time MINI passenger. I find myself doing this in the twisties. Left foot on the deal pedal, right knee braced against the downtube and into the turns I go. With the CVT, I can shift and modulate the throttle without losing my 3 point stability.

[And Ryan, if you're listening, here's another product idea that is needed: cushy downtube wraps (maybe made from neoprene?) that you could make for us at MINI-Madness.]

 

>>Grab handle would be nice--but even better would be auto dimming mirror. Every SUV has headlight right in my rear view mirror at stoplight!
>>MCS pure silver, all packages, nav,black grills

>>we have the auto dimming mirror and auto winshield wipers.... best $140.- bucks spent! :smile:

 

>>I think the best option would be like a second steering wheel...Give 'em something to do <<

Do any of you also have passengers that claim they get sick as a passenger - but not as a driver? This idea would be the perfect cure!

 

>>Handles or straps hanging down- what is this, a subway car?!! Sports seats and door handles will do just fine, thanks. However, if more is needed, I think the best option would be like a second steering wheel, kind of a driver's ed attachment, so that the passenger, already having a full view of the speedo, could also go through the motions w/ the driver. Give 'em something to do

That's funny...my wife always keeps mashing her foot to the floor as if she were stepping on the second brake pedal that the drivers' ed cars of our youth used to have.

I think she'd denting the footwell.

 

>>Overhead grab handle? I believe the technical name for this is "Jesus handle".
>>
>>Not that it matters much though -- in my experience, women complain just the same whether there is a Jesus handle or not.

Hey mow, I'm a woman driver, and I've had guys complain about the lack of an Oh Sh*t bar several times. Of course, that's probably b/c I drive an FUV and take curves at 40. Yes, I am one of *those* - but at least I drive a Sportage and not an Excursion.

 

It is also referred to as a "Sissy Bar".

 

Its a good idea, but I don't want something swinging around all the time.

 

Yes, there is an airbag there, but they still should have been able to put in a OS handle. Just move it a little closer to the middle. If you notice there are OS handles for the rear seat, and the airbag DOES go all the way to the back.

 

My 90 Civic Si has the perfect grab handle, it's on the A-pillar. This would be perfect for thew Mini and not interfer with the roll-over protection airbags.

 

With the AHPS II, I'm surprised they were able to cram in rear-seat grab-handles and not interfere with the "sausages" (as MINIUSA calls them).

 

I've noticed the lack of an OS bar myself, especially when my fiance was test-driving an S. I'm so used to using the OS bar that's mounted on the glove box on his jeep! Oh well, just have to deal with it huh?

 

>>As a matter of fact, my wife's very first complaint about the MINI was something like:
>>
>>"OH, ***** - there's no "Oh *****" Handle!"
>>
>>

hehehe I have heard it refrered to as the 'holysh1t bars" lol I noticed they were missing too, but I had never used them anyway in other cars so it doesn't bother me much. I think having the airbags there is a far better use of the space in order to protect our heads from potential head injuries in the event of an accident.

 

>>>>Grab handle would be nice--but even better would be auto dimming mirror. Every SUV has headlight right in my rear view mirror at stoplight!
>>>>MCS pure silver, all packages, nav,black grills
>>
>>>>we have the auto dimming mirror and auto winshield wipers.... best $140.- bucks spent! :smile:


Maybe a smidgen off topic, but, how do the rain-sensing wipers work?? Just to let ya know, I just called the dealer and had this added, just off your say-so. I'm such a sheep.