Before my MINI, I didn't enjoy driving my car. It wasn't that it was a bad car (1998 Honda CRV) it just wasn't a fun car and it was just my transportation for a 60-mile round trip commute. I was always in a bad mood when I drove the CRV. In the MINI, however, it's really hard to be in a bad mood. And a better mood has caused me to be a better person.

For instance...

I go out of my way to let people change lanes and cut into traffic. I only honk my horn when I'm saying high to another MINI owner (or in a true emergency). I don't swear as much and I don't bite my nails when I'm in traffic. When I see a parked MINI I always stop so I can put a Sunshine MINIs card or a MINI Motoring Citation on their windshield. When I come out of a store to find a person with their face pressed to the glass of my MINI, I politely answer their questions and have even let some people sit in the car to have their picture taken.

When you drive a MINI it's like wearing a Santa suit. Everyone smiles and waves. I know because I have now done both (and maybe I'll do both at the same time some day!).

But that's all the superficial stuff. Today my MINI motivated me to do something I should have been doing all along.

My family and I participated in the Coastal Cleanup today in Tampa and we picked up six bags of trash. Originally I signed up so I could get my Motoring Hearts badge. But really, the badge doesn't matter to me anymore. I spent quality time with my family for a worthy cause today and that was the true reward. It will be the first of many things we will do like this.

I know of no other auto manufacturer that sets out to motivate their owners to do more for their communities. Sure, it might be part of the ad campaign but so what? It works. So thanks for that MINI.

I'm sure many in the MINI Nation have similar stories and it would be great to hear them.

Have fun out there everyone!

 

MINI_Bee,

Thanks for sharing your story.

I'm sure that many of us also feel what you feel.

MINI transcends boundaries and perhaps reveals a little special something in all of us that allows us to step out of our comfort zone and do things that we have thought about or maybe never even dreamt about.

If you just feel good when in your MINI it's acting like a catalyst to make things happen both big and small. And all of the things you do affect others. Hopefully by helping others we help ourselves.

For me it is the whole MINI picture. We start with our MINIs but it leads to fellowship with other like minded people, their familes, our community both on NAM and in our own cities.

In Hawaii we have something called "Live Aloha" which means everyday choose to live your life with a good feeling towards everything you do.

Now if that were contagious and your actions helped others to do the same even in a very small way, imagine what affect that would have as it ripples along day after day.

Keep up your wonderful approach to life... the MINI way.

 

According to my wife and some friends, yes.

I was pretty reclusive before my Mini, but now I'm one of the more active members is one of the more active Mini clubs in the US.

 

not really. my friends make fun of my mini hat though

 

My MINI makes me more aggressive than usual on the twisties. I got caught behind a school bus today on a particularly sweet winding back road and nearly blew a brain gasket.

 

Before Msfitoy, I never:

1-wash my car
2-wax my car...not even my REX
3-have a dirty car ruin my day
4-have a rock hit my windshield and ruin my week
5-plan a business around my car
6-plan my vacation around my car
7-attained the Doctorat degree in Defensive Driving
8-afraid to go racing for the first time in my car for fear of wrecking it

Some of you need a beater for winter driving...I need a beater race car to go racing:impatient

 

Better person... maybe (I've always been a pretty nice guy)
Happier driver... DEFINITELY. :-) I LOVE my commute to and from work. It's the in-between that's not as fun, lol.

 

Definately better looking, but I think I have seriously got more goals now, if that amounts to anything.

 

I've never been much of a show-off until the Mini came along

 

My MINI has given me the opportunity to talk to so many people who otherwise would have just walked past me in a parking lot. When they see the MINI they want to stop, talk and find out what kind of car is that ???

 

No, but I'm more paranoid than I used to be. I can't enjoy going somewhere in my MINI because of the fear I have that some idiot will screw with it in the parking lot.

 

I didn't mean to imply that I was a surly SOB before I got my MINI.
I have always been a nice guy too. But now I'm calmer and less stressed. I will admit to being much more **** about keeping the MINI looking good, however.

 

I'd have to say yes...

I'm much more engaged in the motoring experience and so am consciously courteous on the road. People appreciate it....and have a certain respect for MINIs around here...because of it.

I've become an ace meteorologist! See, I like my MINI to look good as possible, so I've learned to use all the tools at my disposal to track storms and wet weather, and thereby strategically time car washes and even avoid the need for one altogether.

My MINI connected me to NAM and given me the opportunity to interact with a highly a diverse enthusiast community. It's been fun...and enlightening.

 

I'm not sure it has made a better person but it definitely has made a happier person.

I'm also surprised how many people smile and wave at me when I drive by. I expected other MINI drivers to wave at me, but it caught me off-guard the number of complete strangers who've honked and waved at me. First time that happened I thought they were pointing out a flat and had me worried. Then I started seeing it all over town. I'm glad to see my MINI can put a smile into other people's face!

 

Not really a "better" person, but definitely happier and a better driver I consider.

The thing is though that when I'm driving I get looks all the time, but I hardly smile to them or even give them a look. Sometimes I don't feel like a true enthusiast which is what I want to be. I've loved MINIs forever so I feel I should be happier with people and more interactive.

And another thing I get the suspicion that I've been coming across many MINIs driving around, but never wave to them or notice them because I always concentrate when I'm driving. I want to be able to drive good while being able to scout the are for another MINI driving by and give a wave or honk or high beam flash.

Perhaps I'll work on it I guess.

 

nope. I was a great person before and I still am

BUT maybe a little worse in some ways (for those looking in from the outside)...for example:
1. UNlike some other MINI drivers I HATE driving behind others (generally slow) so I hate letting others into my lane...but I do move over if people are merging.
2. I got robbed at autox today so (in typical fashion) I over reacted - blew my 3rd run (out of 4) and went home. REX was great but the decision of the director was BULL$hit...and she's a liar.(long story)
3. I thouroughly enjoy when some jerk follows me too close and insists on riding on my bumper...even when I speed ahead. This forces me to take the next sharp turn at high speeds and watch in my rear view mirror as they slam into the curb (just happened once - but I was laughing an evil "Mr. Burns" laugh)
4. I get hugely irrate when a junker car with 5 foot doors parks an inch from me...at the END of a parking area when there is TONS of other space to park . Generally this causes me to see red and either wait around to tell them what I think of their marvelous parking job or I have been known to use my "can opener" on their door until I feel interior.

Other then that I LOVE driving and the joy I get vastly outweighs my bad behavior. so....I guess it depends on who you ask

 

haha true that

 

Usually my sale job makes me not want to socialize with people. (Always tell my wife; the more I deal with people, the more I like my dog). But since I got my Mini, I've got to the Dragon and several Florida meets and have truely expanded my cirlce of friends

 

honestly i haven't changed much. ive had a car hobby
before this car so it's just another car im having fun with.
ive always been a safe driver despite spirited drives. never
been pulled over and ticketed on my weekend cars. zero
accidents. i don't drink or smoke either.

 

 

I am a happier person that is for sure...my Mini isn't just a car for me, he is my friend

 

i've definitely become a better person since i've gotten the MINI.

as a hobby, i used to go into petco parking lots and key any MINI whose owner was inside trying to adopt orphaned or abandoned animals.

but no more! i swear, two days ago was my last time ever.

 

It's just random people's responses that make you feel good about yourself and basically how you're contributing to people's days! In that sense, yes, I feel like it has made me a better person.

On the other hand, since this car is so much fun and respnosive and nimble, I have lost patience with people and can become one of those "annoying MINI drivers."

 

Thank you MIni Bee for that.

was really neat. I like the heart thing. I cant wait to get into that aspect

 

Nah, If my wife couldn't make me a better person, ain't no way a bunch of steel, aluminum, plastic, rubber and leather could.

My MINI has effectively channeled much of my demonic energy though.


MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA

MGC - Evil Doer