I was thinking blue would go good with pure silver. Seriously!

I like all the posts from motorcycle riders, being one myself (up until a couple years ago anyway), aggressive defensive driving is what I call it. So, if you have to gas it to keep yourself out of a predicament - so be it. Whatever it takes. Come to think, it might be a good idea for MINI drivers to take a motorcycle safety course. On the other hand, other than tailgaters I haven't had much of a problem in my MINI.

 

How about, instead of slamming on the brakes to teach a lesson to an aggressive tailgater, just keep the accelerator going and push the brake down enough to engage the brake light. That way, he'll THINK you're slamming on the brake and back off. I do this (only when necessary) and it works wonders.

Just like when you need to get into the lane next to you and there's an idiot who won't speed up or slow down to give you space. By putting on your turn indicator, you'll ensure he'll speed up to let you over. Use the greed of other drivers to your advantage.

I almost got smashed with a black storage bin that went flying out of a pickup truck this afternoon. It's a bit windy and he'd loaded up his truck bed with oodles of crap from garage sales. There were two Harley bikers behind him, and me in the lane next to him about where the bikers were. When this thing went flying out, the truck slammed on his brakes (smoke everywhere), the storage bin full of crap went flying through the air toward my topless Cabrio, and all I could think to do was punch the accelerator. THANK GOD!!! Before getting the MINI driving experience, my first instincts may have been to salm on the brakes. But I sped past the flying debris just in time, the two bikers had somewhere to go because my lane was now empty, and the stoopid truck ended up in the opposite side of the road. When the bikers passed me a few hundred feet up the road, they both gave me a firm thumbs-up.

Whew. Driving a MINI can be mentally strenuous!

 

I'm thinking of getting an antenna flag like they us on sand rails. Any one know of any such products?

 

I wonder if it's possible to get a TOW missile launcher for the top of a Mini?

 

I love it! But you'd have to be able to operate it with your MF steering wheel.

 

Oh, Cheryl! MFSW does need the missle launcher! LOLOLOLOL!!!

 

The other day at the mall I was looking for parking and found 2 spots that were coming out.

I turn on my signal and the person infront of me was taking 1 and then I was taking the other.. another car was coming the opposite direction and stopped but didnt turn there signal on..

So the first car pulls in.. Then I'm about to pull in but suddenly the car coming the opposite direction quickly pulls itself in and takes my spot..

I drive by flipping the bird and cussing up a storm at them.. Stupid Mom with 3 boy teenagers with long shaggy hair and tight girl jeans on! Grrr! And in a old beat up Saturn.

I ended up getting parking and actually saw them walking in.. I think they noticed me because she ended up bolting and walking nearly running away from me as I was walking behind them.

 

Coming to a Mini from a Honda Ridgeline pick-up, I do notice people are more inclined to push you around on the road (hopefully not literally!). I think the motorcycling analogy is a good one - it's like being on a bike and you need to look out for the other drivers too!

Motor on!

Mark Gibson
2007 MCSc

 

People seem to get some sort of thrill by tailgating a MINI or passing one and then slowing down. It seems more rice rocket autos and mini-vans. 60 mph in my Suburban and hardly no one passes me. 60 mph on the same road in my MINI, and every one wants to pass me. Must be some sort of thrill or huge victory to 'beat' the littlest car on the high way.

For those of you that want to 'break check' the car behind you to teach them a lesson. Think how you will feel if they do rear end you and wreck your MINI. Think if you have a loved one in your MINI with you and they get severly injured. Is it worth it to "teach them a lesson?"

 

I'd like to take one but the motorcycle riders gave me funny looks when I was pulled up to one on post last fall just to watch for a bit. I guess a motorcycle is a prerequesite of a motorcycle safety course.

For me it was especially a shock since I went from the relatively ordered and courteous world of drving in Germany to getting the MINI for driving in the US. I remeber my first small car, a 91 Laser, I nearly was killed when a truck tried to merge on top of me coming home from getting the plates for it. I'd grow so used to people giving me room in my orange 76 GMC pickup that I never thought someone wouldn't see me. The MINI fits into the blind-spots of vans and trucks well too, many times I've had to use the MINI's handling and performance attributes for self preservation.

 

I had some guy tailgating me yesterday in the hills of southern Ohio. Well when the corners came up I keep up my speed and he in his Geo Tracker had to slow down.

yeah for the twisties!!!!!

 

After again reading the posts from page two of this thread, and seeing as how I confused at least two people with my comments on intentional rear-end collisions, I want to offer some clarification.

First, as I said, I would never recommend intentionally slamming on your breaks as a way to punish a tailgater. I said that early in this thread and I want to reinforce that belief.

Second, if you are involved in that type of collision as the person who was struck in the rear, I do advise you not to get out of your car and say something like, "that'll teach you", or anything else that may influence the insurance liability decision. But that stands true for ANY accident. Always keep your emotions in check and be careful what you say to the other driver and/or the police. What we call an "excited utterance" is always considered when determining fault in any accident.

Third, I'm not encouraging anyone to lie regarding the events of an accident. I was simply trying to point out the difference in what the insurance company is going to consider it to be an at-fault accident or not at-fault. Even though your statements are rarely taken under oath (via deposition or a court case), you must realize that possibility does exist, especially if the accident was serious (cars were totaled or bodily injury was involved).

I hope this clears up any confusion on my advice and stance on the matter.

 

Reading CR & PW's post above, I'm reminded of a similar circumstance from years ago... I was driving a Turbo Sprint (1.1L Suzuki re-badged by Chevy; anyone remember those?) and I pushed to merge onto the Dan Ryan Expressway (Chicago) in front of a semi that wouldn't let me in... all the while muttering to myself "go ahead and hit me @$$ hole". Well he did; it was rather spectacular, in that the glass in the hatch blew out, etc! The truck driver couldn't have heard me, but he was fighting back laughter when he got out of the cab… No one was hurt, the trucking company paid, but I have to admit (today) that it was my fault. I guess I'm older and wiser now!

Cheers,
[FONT='Times New Roman']Mark Gibson[/FONT]

 

Deviant - you should check into the motorcycle course anyway, even if you don't have a bike. Many places utitilize bikes provided by local dealers for the course work, so you might not need a bike to take the course. I could be wrong though, when I started riding you didn't even need to take a test to get the license.

 

Geez, such a shame that their car didn't develop any mysterious tire leaks....

 

I've taken the motorcycle safety course. In comparison, the local DMV test was a joke. It's no wonder riders who do not take the safety course get themselves into trouble so easily. "Gee, I have to panic stop as I am going through this curve... what do I do now?!?!?" "Using the front brake will cause you to flip." And other nonsense. From a driver's perspective, I wish I had done it sooner. There's a lot of good stuff from the course that we drivers can use.

 

Motorcycle theory =

Answering rudeness with rudeness is not a good answer. Having done it a couple too many times, I can attest to that, and try very hard to be "the good citizen". Most often a simple wave, a smile, and a pull-over-and-let-them-pass (while slightly raising a steering-wheel hand to indicate an observation of speed) is all it takes.

The more observant drivers who pass you will realize that you just "called them" on their unintelligent behavior - and may change, given the good example. The less observant, well, you wanted to stay out of their swath of destruction anyway.

Quote the penguins: "Smile and wave, boys, just smile and wave..."

I do like this quote: "Use the greed of other drivers to your advantage." I do it all the time. Rude drivers are easy - they're so predictable! Laugh at their expense!

Set the good example. Besides, you're likely the only mini in the immediate area, it's not like you're one of the hundreds of the same silvery/tan color Family Trucksters nearby. There's noplace to hide.

Paraphrasing Cosby: "If I'm going faster than you, I'm an Idiot. If I'm going slower, I'm a Moron. If I'm going the same speed, I'm holding you up, and You Must Pass Me".

We can't win. Too many Morons and Idiots out there! Motor happy, stay out of their way and let them take care of each other.

 

I bought my MCS as a daily driver to retire my turbo Lexus to weekend and night prowling usage. Now the SC300 is one of the largest Lexus cars ever made (it's LONG) and people respect the crap out of it on the road. And mine with a full complement of mods (bodywork, suspension, big wheels, the works) I admit it's quite menacing on the road.

But I hadn't even noticed that until I got my MCS. I love the car but people DO treat you differently in it. I get cut off, tail-gated, no one lets you in, merging is impossible, etc. I do hope that will change with my planned mods.

Do consider tho that Miami has some pretty bad drivers and is always on the Top Bad Driver's lists.

I've always been an "aggressively defensive" driver but that's because I usually commute like I'm in a police chase. I'm a real sucker for "sprited" driving and corners. Plus the Lexus being a RestoMod with fully custom paint done by myself, I drive like it's my own child out there risking it's life. It's 100% mint so I'm very paranoid and ****. Aren't we all?

So since I'm used to dodging other drivers on the street, it's transfers nicely over to the MCS. I just have to do it more in it. Which, when you think about it, makes the commute much more interesting -- especially when you factor in the MINI's evasive capabilities.

The MCS is an awesome little machine. It's quite a departure from the big Japanese coupes I'm used to. It does some things better, and some worse -- but it's still a fanstastic little ride that I enjoy thouroughly.

 

It is funny how that happens.... Even some very expensive cars have to slow down in comparison to the MINI in the twisties.... Horses for courses!

 

This is why you should always carry a tomato.....

 

No. However, my wife had been in the industry for more than 20 years in various insurance compainies working for agents and when she was taking the classes on the stuff your are now, years ago, I read the text books with her. So whats your point

 

...or adjust your rear washer jet so it points straight back.

 

Actually, plain M&M's... leave 'em on the dash t get hot. they don't melt in your hands, the splat on their windshield.

 

My point was... you like to be argumentative about everything I say (and I don't think it's limited to just me). So now you're an expert on auto insurance because your wife is in the business. If that's the case, let me clean your teeth because my fiance is a dental hygeinist.

 

OK !! calm down dudes ,no need to be flipping on this ....save your anger for the SUVs on the road...