R50/53 I feel so unsafe driving my S.
Even if you decide to get a bigger vehicle, let's say an suv, just to make yourself seem more noticed on the road, you'll end up with other problems. I drive a mini suv, a 2003 Rav4, and I can't count the number of times people speed up just to cut in front of me. There's almost always no vehicles behind me when these idiots keep trying to get in front of me...and then they have the gall to slow down..wth!?!?! If you're gonna cut in front of me, at least go faster or keep speed. I end up redlining it to pass them and cut them off. Oh and since its the MINI forum..yes, I'm a closet Wannabee Mini owner...
Saving up the downpayment as we speak to buy next year.
Saving up the downpayment as we speak to buy next year.PS: Welcome to NAM!
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
From: Earth
As others have said it's not that they don't see you, it's that you are insignificant to them. It's the "me first" syndrome and it get's worse daily.
Keep your MINI, it's the same in whatever you drive.
Keep your MINI, it's the same in whatever you drive.
He just wants to be one of a kind on the road and you don't see many H1s around... I hate that bumpy slow ride and always rather be in the Mini. I think the best Sports car is the Porsche Turbo and it is the best place to put your money if you can afford it that is . Even though I have a H2, I don't recommend getting an SUV. I say to all mini owners out there to drive safely and watch out for other people... Honk honk if they don't see you
sometimes SUV drivers think they are invincible and don't figure that the braking power of a smaller car is much better than their SUV 
that's why they keep tailing smaller cars.Carpe Diem, I was watching RIDES as I was writing this post and it was about Jay Leno buying a Duesenberg...funny enough he I caught him saying that he is the President of the More Money than Brains Club
how ironic
Knowing some of the car's Jay has in the Big Dog Garage, he has the money, but he's got the brains to go with the collection!
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 580
Likes: 0
Drive Like You're Invisible
I agree! Drive like you're invisible...never assume anyone sees you. That's how I survived motorcycle riding, and I use the same technique driving any car these days. You have to be defensive in your driving, no matter what you are driving. I believe your situation is MENTAL. Nothing else has really changed out there on the road. Good luck!
Drive like you're invisible...never assume anyone sees you. That's how I survived motorcycle riding, and I use the same technique driving any car these days. You have to be defensive in your driving, no matter what you are driving. I believe your situation is MENTAL. Nothing else has really changed out there on the road. Good luck!I can understand if this is your first small car. I drive it like I am riding a motorcycle. One thing they teach you in motorcycle riding school is SPIDE:
Predict what those objects/obstacles may do
Identify what those objects/obstacles are
Determine if you can avoid them
Execute the correct plan of action.
I am constantly looking around me for cars/trucks, pedestrians, and predicting if they are going to change lanes in front/next to me and I try and see 2 cars ahead of me and react to that car instead of the car in front of me. I also give the car behind me pleanty of time/room to react to my reactions because I really don't want to be hit.
I have driven in L.A., San Deigo, Las Vegas, Phoenix, ..... actually alot of places. I have been to 42 states and 4 countries and have driven in all of them and am constantly trying to be alert. There is really nothing I can say if you are scared of driving your vehicle except to either get over it or sell it.
Good luck.
- Scan
- Predict
- Identify
- Determine
- Execute
Predict what those objects/obstacles may do
Identify what those objects/obstacles are
Determine if you can avoid them
Execute the correct plan of action.
I am constantly looking around me for cars/trucks, pedestrians, and predicting if they are going to change lanes in front/next to me and I try and see 2 cars ahead of me and react to that car instead of the car in front of me. I also give the car behind me pleanty of time/room to react to my reactions because I really don't want to be hit.
I have driven in L.A., San Deigo, Las Vegas, Phoenix, ..... actually alot of places. I have been to 42 states and 4 countries and have driven in all of them and am constantly trying to be alert. There is really nothing I can say if you are scared of driving your vehicle except to either get over it or sell it.
Good luck.
it was just a sarcastic remark from him. His collection of autos are the best in the world, Old cars that were way ahead of its time. If this was a real club, then I would love to be a member
.
surfblue, I agree with the Motorcycle driving technique. It is the best way to avoid stupid drivers and always works with me too.
.surfblue, I agree with the Motorcycle driving technique. It is the best way to avoid stupid drivers and always works with me too.
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 1
From: Middle Earth
I will also confirm that the best thing you can do is to assume that as soon as you put the key in your ignition it activates the cloaking device. No one can see you, or much less care about seeing you.
Watch ahead and to the sides, scan all of the time for anyone or anything that might effect you. Someone backing out of a driveway. Someone turning left across traffic. Someone trying to merge into that space you left in front of you for safety. People are idiots out there and it is up to each of us to watch out for ourselves.
If you sense someone around you isn't paying attention, get out of there ASAP.
But, that all said. If you do not feel comfortable, sell it and buy something else. However, the idiots are still going to be there.
Watch ahead and to the sides, scan all of the time for anyone or anything that might effect you. Someone backing out of a driveway. Someone turning left across traffic. Someone trying to merge into that space you left in front of you for safety. People are idiots out there and it is up to each of us to watch out for ourselves.
If you sense someone around you isn't paying attention, get out of there ASAP.
But, that all said. If you do not feel comfortable, sell it and buy something else. However, the idiots are still going to be there.
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: NW NC, USA, Earth
My rule, and it has served me well, is that you stay as far away from everyone else as possible. They're all trying to kill you. Leave 200 yards between you and the guy in front of you. You can stop quickly, but you want to give the guy behind you plenty of time to stop, also. If you watch you'll notice that freeway traffic tends to clump up. Stay out of the clumps. Find a clear section and stay there. Don't cruise along near anyone else if you can help it. Always assume they're gonna cut you off, or turn in front of you. I call it paranoid driving. 
40 years of driving, no accidents.
40 years of driving, no accidents.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, VA
My advice is to try and just stay as calm on the road as possible but don't be timid or scared. Be confident, yet courteous. There has already been some great advice posted here. But I actually feel safer driving a small car. I feel like I can get out of troublesome situations more easily than if I were driving a big car, SUV or truck. I think it's just important to try and get out of the mindset that so many people have, that bigger = safer.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 38,578
Likes: 2
I can't add to all the excellent tips mentioned except to agree. Every car I've ever driven has been small, and there is a certain mindset you get in. It's especially needed nowadays w/ all the crazies out there!!!
Every car I've ever driven has been small, and there is a certain mindset you get in. It's especially needed nowadays w/ all the crazies out there!!!
I encountered all of this when I first began driving my MGB long ago.
I came to the realization that I would rather have a car that can get OUT of trouble faster than trouble found it!
I came to the realization that I would rather have a car that can get OUT of trouble faster than trouble found it!
4th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis
After driving a miniVAN for many years, the MINI cooper was difficult to get used to - at first. I avoided going on the highway and drove slower than I normally would. I think this was due to a combination of things: the natural feel of "strangeness" that one has when driving a new vehicle, and a mental fear of driving a small car when half the vehicles on the road are behemoths.
But, I got used to it pretty quickly. In fact, I know feel safer in my MINI because I am more agile and can break faster than most of the vehicles out there. I feel like I am more aware of the other cars around me (especially now that I have a multivex mirror). Overall, I think I am a better driver with my MINI.
Now, I only avoid the highways because twistier roads beckon.
But, I got used to it pretty quickly. In fact, I know feel safer in my MINI because I am more agile and can break faster than most of the vehicles out there. I feel like I am more aware of the other cars around me (especially now that I have a multivex mirror). Overall, I think I am a better driver with my MINI.
Now, I only avoid the highways because twistier roads beckon.
Maybe one of those third brake light flashers would help. No matter what you drive some bonehead is going have a go at you. Be careful & drive defensive.
IMO the MINI is a very safe car.
Whenever I'm feeling a bnit "small", I'm thinking of following Ca$per's advice, only maybe one better...
SUVs are cool, and big, and all, but in my area, most people who drive H2's, Yukons, Expeditions, etc are Soccer Moms. They've become the "clunky shoes" that self-described cuties wear to look fashionable. Most are driven aggresively. I mean this as nothing offensive, merely a demographic observation to set up THIS statement:
even THEY won't cut off what I have in mind (wrings hands together...)
MUUUUU HA HA HA HA HA!
Go ahead. Try me. Plow in front, pintle hook in the back, and a fire-breathing 460 scarin' em away... and available on Autotrader for a mere $2,500...
and since I borrowed the Autotrader picture, here's the ad:
(note: this is not my truck. I don't know the lucky guy who owns this truck. It's a cool truck.)
SUVs are cool, and big, and all, but in my area, most people who drive H2's, Yukons, Expeditions, etc are Soccer Moms. They've become the "clunky shoes" that self-described cuties wear to look fashionable. Most are driven aggresively. I mean this as nothing offensive, merely a demographic observation to set up THIS statement:
even THEY won't cut off what I have in mind (wrings hands together...)
MUUUUU HA HA HA HA HA!
Go ahead. Try me. Plow in front, pintle hook in the back, and a fire-breathing 460 scarin' em away... and available on Autotrader for a mere $2,500...
and since I borrowed the Autotrader picture, here's the ad:
1986 FORD F250, FWD, plow truck, 70k original miles, 460 motor, new tires and back leaf springs, electric brakes, $2,500 obo, 724-774-5404
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Drive with the headlights on all the time and use that MINI horn ,I love that sound... watch out for all those crazies who drive while talking on their cel phone.. I can bet that they don't see you... keep honking ...km
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: College Station, TX
Also, in parking spots I notice that I automatically don't pull all the way in. The MINI is so short that someone could pull around 'thinking' it was an empty spot and ram my baby good.
Great thread all...glad to see I drive like I should be!
Great thread all...glad to see I drive like I should be!
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 359
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Are you sure your sideview mirrors are properly adjusted? The drivers side in particular has an enormous blind spot if the mirror is not turned out far enough. Keep in mind that the side mirrors are much further back on a Mini than on most cars you drove previously. If you can see ANY portion of your car in the sideview mirror, it is not properly adjusted and you will constantly be experiencing cars coming out of no where that almost hit you. (Actually, it will be you almost hitting THEM, but it won't feel that way at the time).
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
Scan for objects/obstacles around/nera you that may be in your way
Predict what those objects/obstacles may do
Identify what those objects/obstacles are
Determine if you can avoid them
Execute the correct plan of action.
I am constantly looking around me for cars/trucks, pedestrians, and predicting if they are going to change lanes in front/next to me and I try and see 2 cars ahead of me and react to that car instead of the car in front of me. I also give the car behind me pleanty of time/room to react to my reactions because I really don't want to be hit.
Predict what those objects/obstacles may do
Identify what those objects/obstacles are
Determine if you can avoid them
Execute the correct plan of action.
I am constantly looking around me for cars/trucks, pedestrians, and predicting if they are going to change lanes in front/next to me and I try and see 2 cars ahead of me and react to that car instead of the car in front of me. I also give the car behind me pleanty of time/room to react to my reactions because I really don't want to be hit.
If your doing all that, when do you have time to make phone calls, drink coffee, and scan the morning newspaper
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,332
Likes: 1
From: MD
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
Also off-topic: If you can catch the "Zappa does Zappa" tour, Dweezil does one mean tribute, and Napoleon Murphy Brock is still in fine form.
4th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
I don't feel unsafe in my MINI.
But, who's the idiot who came up with those damn tiny horn buttons? Someone should get canned for that one. It needs to be much bigger and in the center of the steering wheel so it's easy to hit.
But, who's the idiot who came up with those damn tiny horn buttons? Someone should get canned for that one. It needs to be much bigger and in the center of the steering wheel so it's easy to hit.