R50/53 Do you let others drive your MINI?
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 749
Likes: 1
From: Lexington, SC
Very few people will drive mine, Only my parents, b/c they are paying for it, my brother b/c he is a MINI hater and I am trying to convert him, and my best friend and his dad b/c they will prob help me with most mods
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
I offer to let people drive my MCS and my other cars all the time, as long as they're responsible adults. It's pretty common for me to trade keys with someone if we're going to a meeting at the same place, or if we're both returning to the office from a meeting somewhere else. My cars are cheaper than those owned by a lot of my partners, so it's generally a greater leap of faith for them than for me. It's a revelation for people to drive a car like a Mini or a turbo Miata if they're coming from a luxury sedan or a vast SUV. I wouldn't let a drunk or an inexperienced driver or someone irresponsible drive my car, but otherwise I'm happy to share the love.
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
From: Ft Lauderdale, Fl
my cuz was the same way, i remember calling him the day i got it (and actually outside of my dad this is one other person ive let drive the car) and didnt tell him what it was and i went over to his apartment and he was like i was expecting a mkV gti (he knows im a VW man at heart) not a mini, my tC can take that
so i handed him the keys and told him to head to this nice sharp turn in my neighborhood (thats wide so its pretty hard to F it up, unless there is another car, but unless you are blind, you cna see before the turn if its clear or not) and needless to say after hitting it at like 45 and realizing the car had mor elft in it, and nailing the throttle after, he was converted, though not completely ont he looks, but that changed a little later when this cutey was walking by when i was with him and she goes "hot car" or soemthing like that i dont remember the whole thing, but it initiated a convo with her, and sad for me, but good for him, i think he got her number (though my cuz is like 6 years older than me and the girl was prob like 4 years older than me so i wasnt really expecting to get her number myself, which 4 years doesnt seem like much perspectively, but its a diff between HS and college for me right now, its not impossible to get a girl that much older, just for me atleast and many kids my age i know, not very probable)
so i handed him the keys and told him to head to this nice sharp turn in my neighborhood (thats wide so its pretty hard to F it up, unless there is another car, but unless you are blind, you cna see before the turn if its clear or not) and needless to say after hitting it at like 45 and realizing the car had mor elft in it, and nailing the throttle after, he was converted, though not completely ont he looks, but that changed a little later when this cutey was walking by when i was with him and she goes "hot car" or soemthing like that i dont remember the whole thing, but it initiated a convo with her, and sad for me, but good for him, i think he got her number (though my cuz is like 6 years older than me and the girl was prob like 4 years older than me so i wasnt really expecting to get her number myself, which 4 years doesnt seem like much perspectively, but its a diff between HS and college for me right now, its not impossible to get a girl that much older, just for me atleast and many kids my age i know, not very probable)
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
The only person to drive mine is my mom and my friend who let me drive his, which made me buy mine.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
Are other people as afraid of letting others behind the wheel of their MINI as I am? I made a point once I got the MINI that I'd be the only one behind the wheel. I'm afraid that if a friend scratched or damaged the car I'd be putting the friendship in jeopardy! So I'd rather not risk that scenario. Am I being selfish or are other people as reluctant as I am to letting others drive?
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, FL
My dads been behind the wheel quite a bit and my moms driven several times as well. I mostly trust them (they have been driving stick forever) but I still cringe when they downshift without at least a rev-match...
My best friend is the only other person I allow drive my MINI. I'm also the only person other than his father who can drive his car as well.
My best friend is the only other person I allow drive my MINI. I'm also the only person other than his father who can drive his car as well.
I used to be a freak about my cars, but I've mellowed with age. Wifey rarely drives the MINI. Then again, she rarely drives when we're together, and she has trouble getting the MCS into reverse. That and I don't think SHE believes that I've mellowed with age as much as I do.
But hey, she drives the Miata - and when she gets home, tells me about the guys checking her out
, unlike in the Subaru.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
It's meant to be driven and enjoyed.... it's just a car... geezz.. there's millions of them.. get a life
Normally yes I allow others that I trust to drive my cars, after all its just a car. But I currently don't let anyone drive the MINI but myself. I have way to much blood, sweat, & money into it to let someone accidently destroy my clutch, or run it off the road from all the torque steer. Other than that, they can borrow the TT all they want.....
4th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
my cuz was the same way, i remember calling him the day i got it (and actually outside of my dad this is one other person ive let drive the car) and didnt tell him what it was and i went over to his apartment and he was like i was expecting a mkV gti (he knows im a VW man at heart) not a mini, my tC can take that
so i handed him the keys and told him to head to this nice sharp turn in my neighborhood (thats wide so its pretty hard to F it up, unless there is another car, but unless you are blind, you cna see before the turn if its clear or not) and needless to say after hitting it at like 45 and realizing the car had mor elft in it, and nailing the throttle after, he was converted, though not completely ont he looks, but that changed a little later when this cutey was walking by when i was with him and she goes "hot car" or soemthing like that i dont remember the whole thing, but it initiated a convo with her, and sad for me, but good for him, i think he got her number (though my cuz is like 6 years older than me and the girl was prob like 4 years older than me so i wasnt really expecting to get her number myself, which 4 years doesnt seem like much perspectively, but its a diff between HS and college for me right now, its not impossible to get a girl that much older, just for me atleast and many kids my age i know, not very probable)
so i handed him the keys and told him to head to this nice sharp turn in my neighborhood (thats wide so its pretty hard to F it up, unless there is another car, but unless you are blind, you cna see before the turn if its clear or not) and needless to say after hitting it at like 45 and realizing the car had mor elft in it, and nailing the throttle after, he was converted, though not completely ont he looks, but that changed a little later when this cutey was walking by when i was with him and she goes "hot car" or soemthing like that i dont remember the whole thing, but it initiated a convo with her, and sad for me, but good for him, i think he got her number (though my cuz is like 6 years older than me and the girl was prob like 4 years older than me so i wasnt really expecting to get her number myself, which 4 years doesnt seem like much perspectively, but its a diff between HS and college for me right now, its not impossible to get a girl that much older, just for me atleast and many kids my age i know, not very probable)
Would you like to borrow a period?
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville
Share the love! Have you all forgotten how amazing it was to drive a Mini for the first time? 
It just dosen't seem right to deprive someone else of this awesome feeling. Besides, if it makes their day better, it should make yours better too. (This only works for people you know, not complete strangers... )
Yay for sharing!
It just dosen't seem right to deprive someone else of this awesome feeling. Besides, if it makes their day better, it should make yours better too. (This only works for people you know, not complete strangers... )Yay for sharing!
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,926
Likes: 40
From: Greensboro, NC
****? I didn't know I was ****...did the guys at MC2 know I was ****? Now I've got another issue to talk to my therapist about...
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Prescott/Tucson Arizona
My boyfriend is the only other character who has driven my MINI on the open road. My mom drove around a parking lot once to try and help me figure out why I was having trouble when shifting into 2nd gear (she told me that it was because I was wearing shoes..) No one else I know even has any experience driving a manual.
Otherwise.. it's not that I don't trust people.. it's that I get jealous!
Otherwise.. it's not that I don't trust people.. it's that I get jealous!
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,926
Likes: 40
From: Greensboro, NC
Uh oh...sounds like I've made a friend...Thanks for the support Mickey...everyone needs a good kick in the nuts now and then for no reason 