I just opened my AutoWeek. Got Demographic? MINI fans old and new meet for MINI United. Nice article and pictures by Matt Davis. Since I type so slow, I'll quote only the last paragraph:BTW: Most of the MINIs in the photos are RED.
What's he mean about "image-enhancing anything"?
And what's he mean about "cynical" and "tough crowd"? Some of the nicest people are right here!
And the "other manufacturers should sit up"... and jog, and lift weights, and mountain bike and LOSE SOME WEIGHT! Even MINI (in my humble opionion) should be careful not to mess with a good thing.

 

I saw that, too. Very odd take on MINIs and their owners, but maybe the scene is different in Europe. The MINIs I see around are more likely to be driven by middle-aged women than they are by cynical youths (with the exception of DS/B MCSs, which are almost always driven by younger men who are too cool to wave!).

 

Here it is older women in DS/B. But another CR seems to not wave. I live in a "small town," so will keep track of the usual suspects!

 

As a driver of a DS/B MCS I find drivers of other colors more snooty, but there's only about 5 DS MINIs in Albuquerque, and maybe they wouldn't wave to me either. I always abide by the MINI motoring code of conduct and flash my lights, wave and yell furiously at any other MINI driver, only to be snubbed more often than not. Oh, well, I shall continue on my quest to befriend all MINI drivers regardless of race, color or creed!
Maybe they don't see me in my stealth dark MINI...
cheers,

 

huh, i never bought the MCS for its image... actually, ive never bought a
car for image. I drive a pos 04 civic to work and I don't care.

I bought it for its comical good looks and performance.

 

I’m thinking this statement is made about the total young car buying market these days and not just MINI owners themselves.

 

The reason I do not like this statement is because in some of it is true.

But it is never safe to assume...

 

I like seeing the image-enhanced cars of other members. We have to admit there is a different image than with Geo, Aspire, Sprint, Prius, Pinto, etc.
But when I see most of you getting excited about neon lights under the car, and spinner wheels, then all hope will have been lost...

 

Being a new owner of a MC - I have been extremely boring in my driving style.
Everytime I see another Mini I wildly flash my lights and wave - the first couple of weeks, not much response, but lately it seems to have made a dent as I now am seeing responses from other drivers.
It is satisfying to see the expressions on drivers of other cars in the area when this happens - a bit of envy.
Keep on flashing!

 

spinner wheels? on a MCS? blahaahahahaha!!!

where'd you come from?

 

In my area, there is a real estate business called foxton's. They have an army of MC's, for their employees, driving around. I see them on a regular basis and even though they don't own the cars, they still wave and flash their lights. It's late, and I don't seem to be speaking correctly. Anyway, image enhancing is the last thing on my mind when thinking about cars.

 

I leave near my local university and see a lot of base model Coopers that get driven by young people who will actually look at me when I wave, and then I get no wave or thumbs up back. It's discouraging, but I'll keep doing it. Screw the haters.

Also, "other cars need to go on a diet"? The Mini itself isn't exactly a lightweight. I've always held the opinion that our cars should weigh closer to 2100-2200 lbs MAX. As is, with a driver, it's closer to three thousand lbs.

No wonder straightline isn't where our cars shine, even with mods.

 

I live about a decade behind the fashionable California image enhanced lifestyle, otherwise refered to as "flyover country." There are some blingy alloy spinner wheels running around; a candy apple red Avalanche for instance. Then there are the spinner hubcaps; I'm waiting to hear about a bicyclist getting ninja-starred by a loose Iron Cross! Should there be some sort of punishment for whoever bolts spinner wheels on a MINI?

 

I'm the same way. My problem is that I have a car I drive to work to keep the miles down on my MINI since I drive about 900miles/week. It is a 2004 Malibu and when ever I see a MINI, I follow the MINI etiquette. Unfortunately, when a non-MINI driver acts like that, the other MINI drivers seem to think you're having convulsions or something.

Gotta get a sticker for that car that says I really do own a MINI.

The spinner wheels are getting a little out of hand. Last week I saw an eighteen wheeler with spinners.

 

im also the same way here in the slow burbs of chi-town....im old skool
and want to put on a useless tow hook ornament on my MCS. that is
so 1990's.. but i bought one the other day and can't wait to get it
next week.

i think just having those spinners is punishment enough.

its as bad as those black bras people use today which were hip back
like 20-30 years ago.