Its sad that so many people today consider driving as nothing more than a mundane task to get from point A to point B. Certainly the blame could be put on a variety of factors such as increased traffic and bland, sterile commuter cars. Its just nice to finally own a car that is made for motoring. Everytime I tell one of my friends that I am "going for a drive" (I don't bother saying motoring because they wouldn't understand) they look at me like I'm crazy. I'm curious to know whether anyone else has had similar experiences with people just not understanding the joy of driving...

 

All the time. For them, the destination is the thing, not the journey. Probably a good analogy as to how they view life in general.

 

I enjoy the ride, more so with newly uploaded songs on the ipod, windows open and the sight of clear smooth roads ahead...

but on an average day, my MINI is a traffic warrior, pothole dodger and NY socialite. She mixes with the best of them in the city.

 

I had to drive to Dallas several times this weekend and the only thing that saved me from this grizzly task (traffic) was the thought that I'd be motoring in my MINI.

 

The Mini has changed my life...

Before my Mini my daily commute: Work was 6 miles 15 minute drive....

After my Mini my daily commute: I wonder where this road goes.. Home one hour later...

Now if Gas prices would fall to a buck fifty!

 

When I bought my first car, I could fill up the 12 gallon tank for a little over $6.

52¢ a gallon. Now, if they brought those prices back!

SHERMAN! To the Wayback Machine!

 

People are often puzzled about my choice to drive a stick shift, especially since I have a pretty long commute in sometimes heavy traffic. They just don't get the idea of enjoying the process of driving.

On the other hand, I love the posts from people learning to drive a manual in order to get the full motoring experience.

 

Who, totally disagree with perspective because its way too narrow.

Just because someone doesn't like driving doesn't make them not like the journey, they may just have interests other than yours.

For example, Golfer A is really into playing gold. To relax, he goes out to the golf range at all hours to hit bucket after bucker. It relaxes him. Meanwhile, your wondering why he isn't motoring?

Thats funny ... he's wondering why your not hitting golf *****.

All I am saying here is just because you like driving and Joe Smoe likes ... whatever doesn't make either of your right or wrong. Different strokes for different folks and those golfers are wondering how strange those people are who just go ride for the sake of riding ... weird

For the originator, the problem is TRAFFIC. Driving simply is no fun anymore because, at least here, unless its 6 AM Sunday morning, its wall to wall cars.

 

You may wish to take note of the words in my statement, like Probably, analogy, and general.

Don't be so quick to disagree so often.

 

I wouldnt have caught a "probably" as a way to mean not everyone and that is my fault.

My only point here is that everyone is different and the generality that there is something wrong with not appreciating a "motoring ride" doesnt wash in the reality of everyone's lives who may be different than everyone's else.

 

Relax, Chowsie! Deactivate lecture mode, please! I think you need to be tested for excess testosterone!

 

Clo, the prozac just kicked in.

All is calm now

 

It's ironic that the motor car was first inspired as a leisure activity and today are the frustration of most Americans. The first motor cars where rare and the occasional trip, was not to the supermarket or work, but rather for pleasure. Guests on the motor cars would get decked out in there latest garb and flush at the opportunity to ride in the country. As time has progressed the engineering has skewed from the pleasure of the cruise to accomplishing the task. As autos have become more popular people rely on their dependability and not so much their inspiration. Consider older cars from marques such as Packard, Duesenberg, Bugatti and you see innovations like supercharged V8s, V12s, eight passenger cars with clothe tops, rumble seats marketing addressed specifically for motoring. Today we have Lexus, Infiniti and Ford where the battle cry is fuel economy. Rumble seats have been replaced by rear A/C and chrome dashboards have given way to GPS navigation. The once great spirit of motoring is a lone candle burning for only a few and the Mini is truly one of the last inspiring motor cars.

 

I think what Gromit was trying to say (correct me if I'm wrong) is that many people often don't stop to enjoy the journey of life. Whether its a literal journey (ie. driving somewhere in a car) or some other activity, it is easy to get too caught up in the stresses of everyday life that we forget to stop and enjoy the simple things. Owning a MINI has allowed me to rediscover the joy of driving and that is my way of taking pleasure in an activity that many people consider a chore.

I'm definitely one of those people, I have driven some fun automatic and "manumatic" cars, but nothing I've driven yet compares to the fun of learning to drive a manual. And you're right, threading a MINI through heavy traffic can almost be as fun as being on the open road. I see it as trying to get through an obstacle course as quickly (and safely) as possible in order to get to the open roads...

 

At the risk of Clo cutting of my supply of testosterone.

See I didn't get that from that. If that is what was trying to be said, I agree 100%. It goes far beyond cars into everything in life ... just walking into an office building looking at the flowers, etc. is a journey if you actually pause and look. Agreed

Gromit, if thats your point, I apoligize because I really didnt read that in it.

 

The gas crunch of the 70s probably had a lot to do with attitudes toward cars. While the car industry has begun building some fun cars again in the last decade or so, too many people are now in the mindset of cars being solely utilitarian. Unfortunately I think that in light of higher gas prices this trend will only get worse. But at least that means less traffic on the truly fun roads for the rest of us (at least until urban sprawl swallows those areas up too, I'm afraid I may end up having to drive 3+ hours just to find a fun place to drive...).

 

That is a major problem. Everywhere I go, its bumper to bumper, day or night. The great Megapolis from Boston to DC is a mess.

 

Chows, that indeed, was my point!

 

Just last week I went motoring on a nice twisty road that was recommended. When I got back to my dorm and told a friend that I had just been out for a drive, he laughed and said, "You're the only person I've ever known that drives just to drive."

Granted it's not for everyone, and other people have other ways of relaxing and enjoying life, but I think if everyone could find a way to enjoy these unavoidable things in life, we'd all be a little more enjoyable ourselves.

 

Touche. We should all stop and smell the roses because life is just to short not too.

Sorry dude. The prozac is working now and now time for a beer

 

I also have a theory that if people were more interested in driving for fun we'd have a lot better drivers out there. I heard once that if people actually knew how to drive properly many of our traffic problems would be vastly alleviated. Unfortunately it would be too impractical and expensive to place the kind of driver training requirements they have in parts of Europe (ie. Germany) here in the U.S.

Absent better public transportation many people have no choice but to drive. I just wish we could get more of those who don't enjoy it off the road.

 

Another example for me: on a beautiful day, you see so many people driving and still have the windows up. Roll em down, hang your arm out the window get some fresh air. (of course I'll have my top down and left arm playing in the wind )

 

While the price of gas and traffic are strong deterrents it is still that cars do not call the soul. People spend outrages money on movie tickets when at home they have the Home theater setup of the century. What inspires a person to trek to the movie theater now, consider what motivates people to drive? The blame is lack of inspiration, imaginations so limited that one cannot step out of the box to experience liberated driving. I have always been passionate about driving and a seeker of the not so traveled road. Where has the adventure gone?

My wife and I headed out Saturday for some dinner. Along the way we decided to go exploring, in the city none the less and she was driving. A few hours later we decided to call her folks to see if they wanted to join us for dinner. Her Mom answered the phone and was befuddled at the fact that we were well out of the radar travel distance from our home to theirs. Interesting enough she thinks the Mini is a neat car and wants one for herself but never motivates to buying one. I think it is for this reason she does not, the idea of motoring is so brainwashed out of her that mere driving enjoyment is illogical.

 

Enjoy your life... turn off the pagers and cell phones on your days off. Drive your MINI for the pure fun of it and to get where you're going. Smile. You'll be happier. :-)

 

Could not everyone agree this is what MTTS is about? The days of yesteryear where it's the drive that makes it worth it, to see what's outside of our sphere of comfort.