Try the roundabouts or as they are officially called "Traffic calming devices" here in "The Roads" area. I love propelling my MINIs around these circles with the ease and precision of the finest surgical instrument.

I love driving down scenic Old Cutler Road too. May be the curviest road in Miami.

 

Don't forget Coconut Grove!

 

And its loaded with cops, I would say taking Granada or San Amaro is more fun

 

First off, like I said, NO offense. This is probably the 10th time I have visited here for business, and lived here when I was young, for a year. My only real memories are hiding under a table during a hurricane, and coming out to find fish in the pool, and myself walking with my grandmother and cousin, when she gets robbed and pushed down, and I have spent time here going out, its just not my scene, just don't care for the city much. It might appeal to others but not me.
And I would love to Motor here, but the rental I have is a Kia suv thingy, so no fun at all

 

How long are u planning to stay?

How about grabbing a beer?

 

Really appreciate the offer, but I have a meeting all day tomorrow and then the company holiday party tomorrow night, flyng back to ATL sat morning.
BTW, ever been to Yuca on Lincoln?, that is where our company party is

 

LOL! Well, I live in L.A., (which while not as tropically hot as Miami, really is a desert), and I love my Jet Black MCS! She's impossible to keep clean, but when she is, she is SO gorgeous.

Everyone, let's remember to keep the political content off NAM, please, as required by the Site Guidelines. I am going to delete the political comments from this thread.

 

Na… Great Food and even better Coffee…

Born and raised in Florida (Third Generation) St Petersburg to be exact (AKA Wrinkle City with hot and cold running Geritol and wheel chair races every Sunday). My grandfather was from the area where prior to the depression had significant land holding in what is now the beach area.

Although Mr. Flagler started the east coast migration during the late 1800 with his Rail Road; the real tragedy began during the late 60 with a huge influx to South Florida, to the point that us Natives referred to Miami as South NY/NJ. This unabated growth led to the virtual paving of huge swaths of the everglades and later the populating of the barrier islands further up the coast. What use to be open access to the public beaches is now unending rows of mega hotels and resorts with sometimes nasty security guards to shoo you away from the public shores below the properties.

I fully understand the need for growth, however the very fragile, natural habitat can only support so many people and that point has been long surpassed.

It would not have been so bad if the growth was restricted the South and Central Florida as we could have dynamited the Cross Florida Barge Cannel and let the bottom half float away.

I truly love Florida, for it is a historically rich, culturally diverse tropical paradise (or use to be). If you read any of Carl Hiaasen’s material, you will understand my point of view. However satirical he is, his interpretation is dead on abite a bit funny, especially “Tourist Season”.

I am in no way slamming the Great State of Florida, just what has been done to it.

Of course after finally being run out and transplanting my self to Jackson, WY; Californians showed up and preceded to trash it. I knew it was the beginning of the end when the serenity was constantly being pierced with the sounds of Auto alarms or the complaints from the new part time residents of the local Moose eating their imported ornamental plants.

I guess to quote the old adage “If you can’t beat them, join em”, so I moved to Southern California and what the heck…

 

Ok... so I ranted a bitand got a bit off topic, let's all go drive MINI's and enjoy life...

Peace..

 

Jackson is a wonderful place to play with the MINI .

Head north up and through Yellowstone and motor the "Great Loop" starting on the east side of the park then head west.

 

for anyone "stuck" in so. fla, if you do not have plans for the weekend of 9-10 december, join several other MINI enthusiats at homestead. PBOC is hosting an event and there will be at least 5 MINI's participating. the event is booked up, but anyone can do some parade laps on the track and watch some MINI's pass some high dollar iron.

 

I don't think the initial post was meant to be a personal attack on any residents of Miami. I just think it is a reaction to negative experiences in the city as a whole. I mean, I lived there my whole life up until a few months ago, and I don't think anyone can say that the city has a very hospitable or friendly attitude. I think this surprises many people since the region prides itself on tourism. My mother is also a native and she has seen the attitude of the city change over the years - even she is ready to leave.

This isn't my own observation, as my neighbor down there had a 6-speed MCSc (and it's just preposterous), but an actual statement made to my dear parents who tried to test drive a manual MINI at an actual Miami-area MINI dealer . The people there told them that they don't sell many manuals, so they didn't have any (no, not even the almighty MCS!) without an automatic transmission. I was surprised and disappointed when I heard this because I really wanted them to be able to test drive one. Especially after my MA up here told me that 90% they sell are manuals .

Miami always falls back to the "nightlife" thing. That stuff isn't for everyone, especially if you have issues paying $15 for a drink that is essentially a dixie cup loaded with ice . But of course, I did all that stuff in high school (before anyone knew what "SoBe" was), so I know what you're talking about.

Of course the gables, grove, pinecrest, brickell, etc. are all "nicer parts of town" and great to look at all the over-priced real estate. If you can afford to live in neighborhoods like those, then of course you're going to love Miami. Someone close to me worked for the Village of Pinecrest for two years (at the old Parrot Jungle). People he had to deal with there were unbelievably ungrateful and RUDE, despite the fact that he was trying to create fun and positive things for the community. It doesn't matter how much money someone has or how nice his/her house and car are, rude is rude, and I have experienced more of that in my life in Miami than anywhere else. I think that is what gets to people the most who don't like it there. There is just no common courtesy to fellow humans, which is very sad because the place is beautiful, it's the populace that makes things ugly (no offense meant to any of you of course, I am just speaking of the general public and the personal experiences I have had).

I didn't have my MINI when I lived there, so I didn't get to meet any of the great people in the MINI community. I'll be sure to look you guys up when I go down to visit my parents. I know there are pockets of great people in my hometown, it just isn't easy to find them! But I will certainly be seeking you guys out during visits to distract me from the reasons that I left.

And for visitors - especially for the first time - just stick to the pretty parts and you won't see the bad stuff (unless you wander the wrong way through the Grove ). Old Cutler Road is a pretty drive, although rather tame. Check out the Barnacle, Miami Art Museum, Florida History Museum, Art Deco Museum, Pinecrest Gardens, Venetian Pool, Biltmore Hotel, Bill Baggs State Park (Cape Florida Lighthouse) and of course Everglades National Park.

 

There is indeed a lot of crap here, just like everywhere else in the world.

But I'll say just one more thing about "down here": A dip in the pool on Thanksgiving day, no wetsuit required! Wonderful!

 

My friends tell me that the nicest thing about Miami is:

"It is so close to the United States".


YD

 

Well, please don't come to Miami if you hate it so much..and enjoy your below zero winters and please don't come here to escape from it..And for those of you that live here and hate it leave..please, we have enough people here already, go to another state....
BTW we have the most beautiful women in the world down here....
So enjoy your cocoa, woolen socks, sweaters and snowplows...
I'll be sippin a mojito by the pool...
Oh and for the record...my MCS is stick....like most of the MINIs in my club.

 

Oh come on you guys... Stop bashing Miami. As an outsider, I have been all over the States. From California to New York, Chicago to Denver, Oregon to Florida and to be honest there is no place Like Miami ... forget about the traffic (tried driving in LA lately?!) and the rainy summer, it's a great town to be in and the people are nice once you know it. Every town has the good and the bad (there is nothing escaping that) but try to see the nice things about it and I am sure that you will love it. Man I miss the days I spent driving My 240SX, which was BLACK , down ocean with my slippers in the back and my beach towel. I guess the weather in South Florida just brings the shine in black color + it is such an elegant town (if you know where to go) that ever one is dressed in nicely black clothing (or at least used to).
Shiny Black and nicely modified car + nice black clothing + Club Mint, Opium, Bash or Beds + a nice company = a perfect night out.

during my six years stay in Miami, I never once regreted living there. Too bad I graduated otherwise you'd be seeing me up and down Washington Av .

My advice, check in with some locals and they will show you the Hot Spots. There are many many places that out of towners don't know of, and it's not only a night life town
cheers...

 

It all depends on what you are after.
I am personally no longer interested in driving down Washington or Collins...I've lived on the beach and living there has only annoyed me. You can't even find parking at night unless you are paying 2k a month in rent... I want mountains and twisty roads! I want outdoors, hiking etc... There is definitely a lot of stuff in northern florida, but not much in south FL.

There is plenty of good in Miami... but, I've also been living here for the last 22 years...I'm over it! Time for something new.

 

Since so many people here who are defending Miami live here and drive their Mini's here...

Tell me about your favorite places to drive around. I am still here and I don't Hate Miami. I would like to enjoy my last year here!

 

My company is based here, and staffed with mostly locals, and I love them all, so nothing against the people, just not my scene, I would much rather be stuck in the mountains on twisty roads, and I guess the Kia is not helping much

 

I'm orginally from California so I know exactly how you feel, Miami is a headache a lot of the times (esp. on the road) but I've met some really cool people and I'm gonna miss them when I move back to California July 07!!

 

Not too many twisties around here for a long drive but there is aome stuff going on this month.

Homestead has a driving event the 9th and 10th sponsored by pbocflorida.com. Registration is closed but they have an open touring session during lunch.

Braman is sponsoring a track day at Moroso Dec 3.

The best drive will be Dec 10th. MinisofMiami.com is having a picnic at Hugh Taylor Birch Park with a drive through Ft. Lauderdale afterward. Sign uo online and see you there.

 

Where in SoCal?

 

Redondo