I see MINIs here in Western PA fairly often, but I never see anyone really driving the car. I frequently travel windy, secondary roads and I never see a MINI out having a zippy drive. I see lot's of Honda stuff moving at a good clip and even some Detroit iron leaning in the turns..but never a MINI. I can't hear the exhaust or SC in a passing MCS because they are just rolling along. I guess in this part of the country these are bought primarily for the way they look?

Just an observation.....

 

If you write this as tongue-in-cheek then you should say so. Otherwise it just sounds...well...stupid.

 

I think it depends on the model of Cooper. A standard Cooper might also appeal to the more sedate, just need a different kind of small car, types.

If it's an MCS, you could well see it zipping along.

If it's a JCW, get out of it's way!

 

Come to Vermont and see (and hear) "standard" Coopers running though the mountains.

 

I didn't say so because it wasn't tongue-in-cheek. It was just an observation. I never see people driving a MINI like a sports car.

 

Could it because its NOT a sportscar??? but a two door hatchback?
Just kidding

I think for the vast majority of people its a commuting car, just like any other.

 

Come out to California... We have a lot of crazy drivers on the left coast...

 

Come March or April, you will see a MCSCm w/15% pulley being driven in W. Pa, especially if you find yourself about 30 miles N. of Pittsburgh. Till then!

 

Maybe the MINI folks you've seen motoring are not crazy lawbreakers! A lot of us take them to tracks for autocrossing events, and to see what they can do at the top end of performance!

If you happen to visit the border area of North Carolina and Tennessee the first full weekend of May 2007, you will see some mighty impressive drivers showing what great handlers the MINIs are on Hwy. 129.

 

Obviously you've never seen me drive.

Steve

 

I resent being called a "crazy lawbreaker!" I am a perfectly sane lawbreaker!

 

I think your post was fine, just that your choice of title will strike more than a few nerves.

Of course, "driving like a sports car" can be interpreted many ways. Recently I saw an MCS with aero kit and aftermarket wheels being driven aggressively and obnoxiously, weaving its way through heavy freeway traffic. I'm sure that the driver thought he was driving it like a sports car.

 

Was I referring to you? I think DJA has seen folks out for lovely, but sedate, Sunday drives...

 

My feeling is that people drive what they do for different reasons.

I drive in a manner most people would call conservative, especially for around Chicago. I stop at red lights, I make room for others when they signal they want to change lanes, I let people out in a long line of traffic... I even drive the speed limit on the tollways. I think I'm the only one here that does.

My point is that not everyone has to drive with a lot of spirit to enjoy the ride. I enjoy my Mini every time I drive it whether it's sedately down a country road or taking a curve.

 

Maybe those people you are looking for are too zippy to be seen?

Sure, I drive my MCS (and my wife's Cooper) "like a sports car", but I also drive it to the grocery store, take the dogs to the vet, and do ordinary things that don't require me to push the car to its limits with every stoplight. Most of the time, you'd just see a mild mannered dork driving around in a compact car. But there are moments most every day that someone watching would be surprised.. .

 

Well said, Yucca...couldn't agree with you more, nor add anything to your explanation.

 

Most of the comments I get about other MINI drivers are something like "evertime I see a MINI they're just whipping around turns, etc, etc." I am supprised you have found it to be so much different. Most of my friends think everyone who owns a MINI drives how I do.

 

I agree with you.

Helps reduce road rage.......mine anyway.

 

Drive out to BeaveRun for one of their flat-out days or one of their scheduled autocrosses. This Saturday PittStopMINI has an autocross scheduled in North Park (check out their website). I'm sure you'll be able to find some MINI's out for a "zippy drive" and doing it legally. Come out and join the fun!

 

Well said. It works the other way too. If you see someone driving a RAV4 like a maniac thinking its a sports car ... that would be me. You aint seen understeer until you feel it in a top heavy SUV!!!

You dont need a "sporty car" to drive it like you stole it

 

Although I enjoy spirited driving from time to time the MINI is such a versatile car it can be equally rewarding cruising along in a relaxed manner. I know how fast my car can go and what it's capable of, I sometimes take delight in just cruising along with the flow of traffic so everyone gets a good look at my car.

 

I used to think the same thing about the ubiquitous bimmer, Mercedes, etc. out here. Now, I find I don't even look at them, I'm too busy scanning for MINIs.

 

Very well put. I think most of us drive according to the road rules. (However, there is one curve that I have trouble resisting...)