People's perceptions/opinions of your new car?
 

It's been a week since I got the car and I absolutely love it. The wait was worth it and I smile every time I drive my little go-kart to work and back. Anyway, I have not had a shortage of comments from friends and co-workers, the latter being the most vocal since my car is the most interesting on the lot. I have unfortunately got the ," oh soo small" or "who would trade from an Acura to a MINI", "Barbiecar" etc which should really not irk me but it does from time to time. Why cannot people just mind their own business and be happy for someone else then they should probably shut up.
It's usually the one's that have never really driven one or wouldnt know a MINI from a PT cruiser. Sheer ignorance about what we as a group have been raving about for so long. I am curious to the comments you guys have been getting from others...would love to hear some of the crazy stuff people come up with!!
Sorry to vent..just needed to get this off my chest!

I've received nothing but love from people who see my MINI. "It's SO cute", "I want one", "nice color", are the comments I get most. And I'm sure most people are envious of us at the gas station. What's not to love? :razz:

Haha I so agree. Yes, I admit the majority have been pleasant and very interested in the car, but I just dont want to hear the negative comments...

Regarding that comment, I think my grandma said it best, "if size made any difference, a cow would out-run a rabbit!" :wink:

Trying to figure out people's various opinions of MINIs is almost pointless. Unless one is a car enthusiast, or knows Mini/MINIs, they're all coming from left field...and the weeds are pretty thick out there!!!

In general, people are desperate to hang onto their, and their families ignorance's. I know it sounds rude, but it's true. People in this country generally have massive prejudices when it comes to cars. Our culture has been brainwashed that small = cheap = unsafe, when in-fact small may be safer than large, particularly in an active-safety regard. Small cars will always be generally sportier and less wasteful than larger cars, all things equal. It's sad to hear your co-workers are socially inept; just try to realize it's their lack of understanding that causes them to spew unintelligent comments, and they're not necessarily bad people. :nod:

The MINI is such a stylistic, iconic car that it certainly polarizes peoples opinions and/or brings out the best/worst in their upbringing. I've heard everything from "why would you pay so much for such a tiny car", to "I've heard those sports cars cost $60k". Lately the "what's the fuel mileage?" question is pretty prevalent, though when I respond with "it gets around 9........on the track" I usually get the satisfaction of a completely blank dumb stare in return. LOL Oh well. :lol:

Hmm, I have never had one bad comment about my car. I have had soooo many people come up to me and say my car is so cool, awesome, cute etc.

Everytime I go to the gas station someone says something nice about it.

When I was up in San Francisco for the Magical Mystery Tour I was at the Churches Chicken drive through window waiting for my food, a guy behind me actually got out of his car (which was amazing because he was a big guy and it looked like it took some effort to get out) to tell me that he loved my "Actual Size" sticker and how witty it was and how he loved my car. Me and my nieces were a little scared when we saw him get out of his car and walk up to my window. We couldn't figure out why he was getting out of his car. We thought he was going to yell at us for something...

I think you get most of the negative comments from the uninformed crowd, the non-car people who just don't get it. I got the usual "I want a ride" from my co-workers, but I did get a negative when asked how much I paid for my car, when I told him his response was "I would never pay that much for that, it's not worth it". I responded " it was to me". He got up and left and the rest of us had a good laugh about it.

I've had some of the same experiences. I've heard a lot of different things from "I would never pay that much for that car", "if you wanted a go kart, why didn't you just go buy a go kart", and "why would you drive that over your BMW".

They just don't understand the Mini. It is very special.

I have to say, the majority of reactions have been very positive. I had one of the ladies, who works in a restaurant we frequently dine at, come out excitedly say "I love your car, it's so cute". I thought this was great since she isn't real outgoing and she sees us drive several more expensive cars there (including an E93 M3). She has never said anything about any other car before. Also one of my neighbors said "those are cool cars, did you see the Italian Job?".

I agree, people in this country have been brainwashed to think we all need to drive big SUVs and pickup trucks. Hell, I still own an SUV along with my Mini and every time I drive it I say to myself "what was I thinking?" :eek2:

The one I seem to get is when people sit in the car and say "wow, there's a lot more room in here than I thought".

Ryephile I couldn't have said it better. Socially inept is sadly what it is and yes, something small and very much iconic like this car does tend to touch a nerve in some people. Again sad, but true. The sheer ignorance about what the MINI is all about is something that irritates me, but again this car is not something that appeals to the broad base in this country for many reasons which I feel are best left unsaid.
I am just glad and proud to be part of such a loyal, enthusiastic and intelligent group of people and it makes me happy to hear some of the great comments you guys are getting.

That's funny, I've only had the Mini for a few weeks and I still feel that way. When I get out of her after a drive, I look at her and think, wow she's really small. I drive around thinking she is bigger than she is. I am thinking of naming her Gidget, after the Taco Bell Chihuahua. She thinks she's a big car (lol).

I think the majority of people try to attain Ferrari's, Porches or Lambos, because as we all sat in the sandbox, that's what we played with. Once your normal person realizes that wish is pretty slim to zero % to come by, the realize to go for the car that's fun.

But your average person has no idea- they think a Mini is small, slow and equivalent of the Smart Car. Some people just don't get it. I don't understand women who spend $500 on an ugly purse, but hey, I don't dwell on it either. I just accept and move on.

I dont have my mini yet, but can't wait. At my job, I overlook the 405 freeway and usually pause to look for a mini flying by. It only takes about 30 seconds or so and I watch it till it disappears. I grow immensely impatient for my new Mini arrival when I see a Mini on the freeway with something done- lowered, nice wheels, aero kit, because I know its a modder and I know we share the same Mini bond/love/whatever. Just makes me smile every time. :thumbsup:

Some things are big AND fast-
Rhino
Hippo
Bull
Elephant
Ostrich
Gorilla
Thoroughbread horse
Lioness
Dodge Viper

+1:thumbsup:

Very funny and so true! :lol:

But only the Ostrich (or Dodge Viper) might outrun a Rabbit. :lol: :popcorn:

That's it, "polarizes" is the word. Never before have I owned a car that drew so many oohs and ahhs, and WTFs at the same time :lol:

99.9% Positive.
At a rally this summer a man walked over to inquire about all the Mini's and commented off hand on how they don't look "SAFE". He acted as though he liked the novelty of owning one, but because he had kids he wouldn't want to endanger them....WTF? We responded with the Safety rating and how it's also extemely nimble and would likely help us to avoid accidents. We asked what his vehicles Safety rating was...... he did not know. With that said, he and his kids walked away.

everthing from cute,cool,nice i like it. what is it?

The fact that the car creates such a stir, good and occasionally bad says a lot about it. There is something about the MINI that excites, angers or just plain brings out the curiosity in people that is rather amusing to say the least. I just feel a lot better after listening to the comments on here and re-affirms my belief in this lovely purchase.

Well there are kinds of people and comments, take the good ignore the rest!!! Have fun and smile away!! :thumbsup:

We have heard nothing but good things about our MCS since we brought her home. It's our first and we love it. It actually gets more attention than our new 2008 Corvette. Everyone loves it, has good things to say about it, and our one neighbor went to order one the week after he ask us about ours. He takes delivery in 5 weeks.

I think if you are a car enthusiasts and have car enthusiast's friends, they are going to understand how really "cool" it is to have a Mini. :nod: If someone doesn't understand or is negative about it, that's their problem - - just move on down the road...

+1 :thumbsup: :popcorn: