Every time I look in my rear view mirror, I see the GRILL of a huge vehicle behind me Usually blocks the entire view of behind. Other vehicles do tend to pull up awfully close to us. I wonder why that is??? Also I do notice cars will pull out in front of ME, when they most likely wouldn't do it to an SUV. I think to most people, SMALL=SLOW I also dont think the average person realizes a MINI is not a 12K car. It could be a 25K total if you wreck one.

I keep it conservative on my commute. It used to really T me off and I would get the urge for revenge but I like my car too much to end up in a crash.

 

This is an excellent point...we were just discussing this the other evening. The MINI makes one a better defensive driver (and parker, too!) because we don't want our baby damaged!!!

 

If you have somebody riding your ****, hitting the rear fogs either makes them think you've hit the brakes or (hopefully) gives them a hint that they're too close.

If you're in bumper to bumper traffic... not a lot you can do.

 

I tend to drive more conservatively in my mini and not more agressive. I'm getting fantastic gas mileage out of my 07 mc manual and being conservative helps that. Years ago I used to fly from a red light, only to get stopped by the next one only to find out that the same conservative driver behind me had caught up! Finally came to the conclusion, what's the point. Conservative, defensive, and courteous, that's how I drive no matter what the car. If I find I want to go for a 'spirited' drive in my mini (and I know I will) it will be on the weekend in the country away from the weekday onslaught of traffic.

 

+1

 

+1 Love the curves.

 

SUV drivers tailgate because they have a false sense of security from being able to see over other cars. This is not a Mini only phenomenon in my book. If the tailgating is excessive, I gradually slow down, or push my hand back at them in the mirror so they get the clue. (No use of middle finger, though sometimes tempting.) This approach seems to work, and does not inspire road rage, yet.

 

I drove a Prius before buying my R56 S. Here's what Edmunds had to say about the Prius on discussion of exhaust emissions in its 2007 MCS review:

"Ever driven a Prius? At full throttle it sounds like your microwave cooking a hot dog, while its driving dynamics deliver an equivalent level of excitement."

So how could I not take advantage of all that my MCS has to offer. Of course I squirrel around more than before.

When I first got my Prius it seemed the big pickups and SUVs liked to try to intimidate my MCS. Then I programmed in daytime running lights (headlights and tail lights always on while driving). Since making this change the big guys seem to leave me more breathing room. Maybe they just need to be able to see you louder.

Suggestion: Try leaving your headlights on for a week or so (they switch off automatically when you turn off the ignition). See if you notice the intimidation factor difference. By the way, on the R56, the only difference I can see between using the headlights and using the daytime running lights is that with DRL the instrument lighting isn't turned on.

 

Part of that is the perception ... they are not as close as it appears if your used to a trunk. However, large trucks and the like do like get close ... but your approach, if applied to another aggressive, driver, is only going to result, IMO, in road rage, especially, if he is faster than you.

Chill out dude and drive safe

Life is just too short to worry about the small stuff. You want to drive aggresively, take it to the track. There are so many opportunities these days to do a track day, driving aggresively on public roads, is an inventation to disaster

 

I dont think I drive more agressively with my MINI than I did with
my old car, but I DO find that when I'm late for something or really
pissed off that day, I sure get places a LOT faster and easier than I
did with my old car!

 

Just IMO, I don't think tailgaters is problem only to MINI/small cars. I drive my FX35 (a good sized SUV), and trucks just wanted to push me to the other side of freeway.

This get me really mad couple days ago: a Ford 350 truck, towing a huge fully loaded trailer longer than his truck driving on 3 lane highway doing 85+. From mirror, I saw all cars dodge him and let him pass, I drove my FX35 to most right lane trying to save my life, but there is a Semi and little SUV just had no where to go. That damn 350 hit brake so hard, the trailer almost got into my lane, from that point he got so close to that little SUV, the grill almost kissed the bumper, and side mirror almost hit my window (man 350 is huge). I am telling ya, I almost ***** in my car...
This whole thing came to the end when I saw blue & red light flashing behind us. I stopped and wanted to offer a written report against him, at that time there were 1 unmarked and 3 black-white police cars behind him. Police told me couple people called 911, and they got him on camera. I hope this guy will never see sun light again! After all, why a full loaded garden supply truck was in a rush? His own grave yard need landscaping or something?

My advises, don't get too involved with tailgaters. move over and let him kill himself. If he/she is endanger anyone else, call police!

 

3 people in the last two weeks have tried to pass me where there was no 2nd.lane, I know the Mini is small but it cant share a lane,And no I wasnt driving to slow,getting back to the original post, yes I have been driving a bit faster but I "try " to keep the speed limit I just dont slow down for corners.I do have to make an effort not to become another A-hole aggressive driver.It's just so much fun to drive!!!!

 

I suggest you take a look here http://www.forbes.com/2007/05/09/car...hisSpeed=15000

An Escalade certainly qualifies as a large SUV gas guzzler. If your making $175K/year, do you really think that Escalade owner cares about $4 gas?

I think this perception is way off base. When gas hits $5/$7 a gallon, IMO its not going to be the gas guzzling large SUVs not driving ... thats pocket change to them

I just asked someone today who drives an Expedition at what price will you no longer driver that large SUV ... $10? ... Nope, $10 gas just means not going out to eat one night a week.

 

I think your exactly right, people will sacrifice other things but they won't get rid of the SUV (I also own one, it takes Prem and cost $75 a tank at current prices...usually have to fill up once a week that is until my MCS get here).

Also, I don't think it matters if your in a Mini or other small car. I ride my bike a lot and get the close calls from both SUV drivers and drivers of small cars as well, it's just inconsiderate people

 

I wasn't encouraging her. I asked her how she liked driving her MINI and that is what she said.

 

Like others here, I do drive a little more spirited at times but mostly I'm careful because I don't want to harm my MINI. I think the larger SUV's, trucks and semi's drive closer because they can see farther ahead than I can and feel they would be able to see problems develop sooner. Most times I think there's some truth to that, but I still hate it. That's happened in my Saturn SC2, my wife's Mazda 626 and my MINI.

I don't hear about MINI drivers being jerks on the road, but I've heard of BMW drivers always driving like they own the road and you're an unwanted guest. I've seen this myself with all the twenty and thirty somethings who are always in a hurry driving their upscale cars with phones in hand, etc, etc. That can drive me crazy sometimes.

 

Absolutely. When read MINI owners "hoping" that the price of gas will go so high that expensive SUV (i.e., large) owners can't afford it, I find it laughable.

Not meaning to disparage anyone ... anywhere but the people who buy those got money ... they simply will not care.

 

Did not mean to imply you were...not at all. A general comment.

 

I expect all of you to drive sanely.

 

I dont think Im driving anymore aggressively than I ever was. In fact, if anything Im a little more reserved. Im now on the lookout for people who arent as able (or willing) to see my car to avoid an accident. Ive already had a few close calls from some nitwits. My biggest problem on the highway is getting up to 90mph without even realizing it. Im still always thrown off when I look over at the speedo and see how fast Im going.

 

I try to drive as safely as possible while still having fun, i.e. not cutting people off or jumping from lane to lane, but I still drive with more oomph. It's pretty hard to make me mad, but when someone rides up on my rear when I'm already going over the speed limit or cuts me off for no apparent reason, I make it a point to let them know that I can blow by them anytime I want. But I won't ever compromise my safety or, more importantly, the safety of my MINI

 

The MINI sure 'gets up there' in a hurry...and if I'm not paying attention, 70 mph is nothing. That's spells speeding tickets around this neck of the woods. So I keep one eye on that digital speedo and tend to not drive aggressive or drive in any way that would draw police attention to the MINI. Of course, defensive driving at all times is a must...

Very rarely can I get the MINI out of 5th gear...I'd have to go inland and hit the I-5 freeway for that. Most days on my way to work I'll peak 62 mph in fifth...and glide at about 58 mph for most of the 7 mile trip to the salt mine...

John

 

I find myself.. almost embarrasingly agressive in my lil union jackie. The thing is, prior to it, I owned a blazer, we were living in germany. The blazer had nothing on those german cars, so I was more then happy to stay in the slow lane. Now when I say I am agressive, Im not rude, nor do I take chances unneccesarily, but I will squirrel around more then I would have in my blazer. I tend to find that people are curious about the car. And will get close just to look at it.. and more often then not it results in a smile and a wave. Or if I am getting into my car, sometimes people will come up and talk to me, and when they hear about the car and its handling.. they are suprised, next thing I know I am hearing they are on the way to the dealership to check it out. Maybe I need to get a job with mini, so that my infatuation with this lil british car with british attitude and savvy will lessen.. nah prolly not.. i would just know a lot more about the car then i do now..

 

Part of what makes the minis so appealing is that they feel faster IMO than they really are. In really high power cars, often you don't enjoy the sportiness because you really can't afford to do 90 on a little road to work.

Like Skuzzy said earlier from driving motorcycles, any rider course teaches you that the safest thing is to be actively driving slightly faster than those around you. Don't count of the people around you to see you, don't expect them to not drift into your lane, it's your responsibility to take control of the situation at all times, and the easiest method for doing that is to be passing respectfully and at a SANE rate through traffic.


... and hey, there's nobody around, the light turns green... why not book it?

 

Such a good thread!!!

I have noticed that cars (all types, not just SUVs) seem to love to get close to the MINI's rear. I think it's all a matter of perception though. This is my first hatchback and I think that's what makes the difference. I have not experienced anything unusual with big SUVs trying to cut me off. I find that the SUV drivers that are used to cutting people off will do it no matter which car you drive.

I've only had the car for a little over a week so I haven't driven it in an aggressive manner at all. I have fun with it but I'm always very cautious with the cars around me; I've found lately that a lot of people are distracted on the road and you have to do your job as a driver as well as theirs to stay out of trouble. Perhaps once I'm more comfortable with the car's abilities I will be able to engage in more "spirited" driving.

Everyone should just still remember to be safe and protect the MINI!