It's the engine you have. N14 engine is 07-10 and the N18 is 11-13 and every '14 model beside the F56.

 

Happened again with an absolutely giant man (400+ lbs) in a huge turbo diesel Ford truck lifted way up. Wanted to tail my *** as close to me as possible at 60. turned left at a country road without even hitting the breaks, just slowed a bit, downshifted to 2nd and bolted; and he tried to corner. He spun out! I was gone before he could realign his monster truck! I smiled and never saw him again! Jerks! Teeny weenie syndrome, me thinks!

 

Excuse the large quote, however I agree with all that I didn't snip snip out. I spent time in Florida over a two year period and yes I totally agree with your observation of your culture.

In the UK we have a slightly different culture however it maybe is status that changes how people behave towards your car. I had a BMW e92 M3 before this mini and a BMW Z4 M Coupe. No one ever messed with you or even flashed their lights if you did something they didnt like. They may have decided they didn't like you due to the value of your car but not to do with your driving. In the Mini, people feel free to let you know they don't approve very much more often. I think they must feel we are lower down society's financial food chain therefore they can let you know what they think with no fear. I am exactly the same driver and will be lapping the Nurburgring in the mini soon in just the same manner as I did the BMW M cars. It makes me laugh that people change behaviour towards me as I am exactly the same person, with the same driving style in all the cars. Be those cheap or expensive.

 

Which is equally friggin stupid..

 

Thanks Steven_RW (and indirectly ASKtheteach).

Your point(s) are quite valid in my opinion. It's the times we live in, is my belief. Naturally I think you'd have to believe these behaviors are more commonly found in over-crowded / over-stressed / "big me, little you" metropolitan areas. I am an ex-pat living in Canada, and have been for nearly a decade. Relocating from the "left-coast" of Florida. The area in which I live in is a well known lake district, therefore quite seasonal in its economy. Tens of thousands flock here during the summer months to escape "The City" (namely the GTA / Toronto and its environs).

Attitude on the road becomes a significant problem, it is amazing to watch and "feel" - like night and day. Unfortunately there is no fix. I habitually refuse to participate in the non-sense. I make a conscious effort to rise above such shenanigans and set an example.

I have chuckled a time or two while reading the posts on this topic. One has to laugh, or join the ranks of the rude and narcissistic.

 

I couldn't agree more. :-)

When I used to drive up from Orlando to Jacksonville I used to be amazed at the size of the average vehicle on the road. When I spotted a Mini I used to admire the person for having courage to drive a smaller car in a country that "seemed" to have drivers that were totally unaware of their surroundings as they drove, eyes ahead, ignoring mirrors, all on the mobile phone, (edited to add) with a belief they are correct at all times.

I also acknowledge we are talking generalisations across vast swathes of people.

In the UK minis get general associations with weaker men, girls, mums and potentially those who prefer same sex relationships.

I was clocking (edited to change, in bid to make a better impression) "a big number" on the little digital speedo the other day and thought how rare that must have been for the odd person that spotted it (not proud or showing off, just stating). A mini flying past. I expect they thought a hairdresser was late for his/her next client hehe.

Rgds,
Steven RW

 

Frankly, I don't understand why this particular brand (or car really...because most people don't know there's more to MINI than just the cooper hardtop) receives a generalized association with specific types of people. I think it's that way in this country (U.S.), too. Personally, I got the car because it is compact and a blast to drive. It's a great driver's car albeit FWD. I can scare the pants off my passengers anytime I want to...the car sticks to the road. And the one individual I let drive my car for a short period of time admitted they didn't expect these levels of fun from a Mini.

I understand there's a severe lack of driving skill/desire to understand cars/car brands, etc. by the majority of the population...but I just don't get where these stereotypes come from.


(Sorry for straying a bit OT)

 

I have owned a Mini since last Father's Day.

I have been aggressively tailgated.

This is often on rural roads with no where to go when I'm behind a slow moving vehicle.

I have been tailgated in my SUV too but rarely.

To be fair I think that some folks are busy thinking about their lives.

It seems they only pay attention that there is a car in front and don't really notice the slow moving vehicles in front of me.

Some folk do behave emotionally through their cars.

When I put on my flashers most folks back off.

Some don't.

There is no way I would drive a little car that didn't perform like this!

The analogy in the animal kingdom is that the small are gifted with great speed.

 

I had a mk5 jetta try to ride my bumper and keep up with me the other day, I never took it out of 6th to make him feel good about himself.

 

I haven't noticed any aggressive behavior toward my MINI, but am regularly frustrated by the seeming cluelessness of drivers around me. Yeah, there's the whole distracted driving topic, which is inexcusable and dangerous. But the frustrating part for me is that most drivers seem to be completely unaware of any concept that driving can be enjoyable, and that their behavior is possibly spoiling somebody else's fun.

Case in point... my wife and I took part in MINIs in the Mountains the year before last; one of the day trips was a drive to the top of Mount Evans, and the route to the base of the ascent is a delightfully twisty bit known as Squaw Pass Road. What better car to enjoy a road like that than a MINI; even better when you're one of a long parade of MINIs driven by enthusiasts. Shortly into the route, we found ourselves behind a minivan from Nebraska, creeping along at about 25mph. Being a twisty road, there was no way we could pass them. They piddled along with a long trail of frustrated MINI drivers behind, blissfully passing several convenient pull-offs along the way.

It simply got painful, to tell you the truth. The folks in the van were apparently oblivious to the fact - or didn't care - that they were holding up a long string of traffic, and that perhaps they should get out of the way and let us by. Naturally, they pulled off and parked only when we'd all reached our mutual destination after a very long and tedious drive. Yes, they were probably nervous about driving on that sort of road. But still, if you're holding up traffic, at least know what's going on around you and have the courtesy to allow traffic to pass.

So yeah, oblivious drivers can ruin the day of enthusiast drivers. I can understand that they "just don't get it," but at the very least, a little bit of observation and common sense could only help.

Thinking about that day on Squaw Pass Road still makes me tense up. ;-)

Spridget

 

Word to the fools! Get off your phone and DRIVE! Nearly happened again today and nearly rear-ended. No aggression, but idiots yakity yaking on the stupid phone! Quit it!! There! I've posted my rant! Lincoln drivers are also the worst about stopping at red lights. Yellow means floor it, but if it's red, just cruise right on through. Arrrrgh! I have no cell phone...on purpose!

 

By the way, this sort of thing is what led me to add the remark "Fear the Buick" to my signature line. Silly, but it's happened all too often. ;-)

Spridget

 

Not just the Buick...BUT: The old man in a hat driving the Buick! We finally had to take my dad off the road a few years ago. Scarry bad driving! You're point is spot on! sad though, he used to be a good driver

 

1st week I had my mini I was fully loaded, as in 4 people in the car. No mods, nothing just a bone stock mini. little honda pulls up next to me I heard him pull up cause of the fart can. guy even had a bike rack on the car to ensure the down-force it created would keep the car stuck to the floor. His stickers were something to worry about because, you know, extra 10 hp to the wheels. I proceeded to smoke him and he had a look of despair.

 

Most of Squaw Pass has irregular surfaces due to the altitude and weather and combined with the setbacks, bicyclists and motorcycles it's a busy road. And I do believe posted speeds range from 10 to 30 mph. So 25mph is reasonable in a family truckster / family on board.

A contributing factor to current day road behavior is that we are now sharing the roads with a generation of twilight zombies having received their bulk of driving training experience at 2AM in countless hours of 3D video games. It's the only explanation which seems plausible to me.....but still, just a theory.

 

Here in New York, I haven't seen aggressive behavior towards my MINI, at least not in 8 years. Perhaps New Yorkers are known for being quiet and peaceful.

I do, however see classes of bad drivers based on their choices of vehicles. I'd have to put the Dodge Ram drivers on the top of the list, followed by the most expensive SUVs in direct order according of how much they cost. The more they paid, the worse they drive.

If I get someone tailgating, first I slow down bit by bit, and move to the right. If I can't, I turn on my windshield washers if I'm going over 40 MPH. Nobody behind likes getting the overspray, and they tend to go away.

 

The only ones acting aggressive are the COPS!

 

It's weird, i dont kno if it's the car color or what but cops never even look at my car. And it's not really quiet with the scorpion exhaust. It's disappointing honestly I thought this car would get attention but my e36 got wayyy more.

 

The suvs think they are actually going to run me over

 

As long as they're insured, go nuts.

 

My 2500HD Suburban sits 4' away from my Mini. So far he hasn't made a move against it. They seem to be getting along fine, but I'll keep a close eye on them.