Has your MINI made you a more aggressive driver?

[Carnut17]

Has anyone else become a WAY more aggressive driver since getting your MINI? I used to be courteous, safe, and reasonable (but not slow). Now, I steal right-of-way at roundabouts, weave in and out of traffic, drive way too fast around corners, and generally drive like I'm on a racetrack. I thought it was impossible to drive more than 20 MPH around Boston, but I was very, very wrong. I caught myself going 80 in a 40 MPH zone the other day (on Storrow drive, for any Bostonians out there).

I'm driving llike I did when I was 17 years old with a V8 Mustang. Yikes!

Has anyone else's MINI turned them into a psycho street racer?

[ALD0]

-Never heard of that but you need to slow down!

[dansmini]

There's a fine line between being a crazy street racer and driving a MINI in a proper, spirited fashion for your own enjoyment. I know I cross it sometimes, but I try not to.

[Luverly Lesley]

i wouldn't say i'm more agressive or inconsiderate, but i do like to test the minis handling especially on route to my boyfriends house!!

[cooperblack]

I have had Mini's on and off since i was 17 and now i'm 42 and still drive like it's on rails so yes is the answer but i drive my Impreza like an old fart

[Floris]

Au contraire,

I seem to be driving more relaxed in my MCS, having plenty of power I can easily keep up with traffic using low revs. The engine is silent and it makes you more relaxed! My old car I was constantly ragging the **** off it, in order for it to move through traffic at an acceptable pace! The constant revving pepped you up to drive fast!

That being said (generally driving slower), I find myself not slowing down for a corner anymore though! The moment you get into a different car and approach the first corner can be quite spectacular!

The MCS can be driven both hard and gently, which is a good thing!

[pocketrocketowner]

Me, I have become a wuss on the street. I drive a whole lot more thinking about what the other guy is going to do to hurt my MINI. As i do a whole lot of track days, I also know how fast this beast will go so I don't have to prove it to myself or anyone else.

[Adrian_T]

Been experimenting and come to the conclusion:

1. Drive like an old granny - 30-33 mpg

2. Drive in a proper manner - using most of the revs and all of the throttle travel - 25 mpg

3. Driving in a manner so as to attact Mr Plod - 20mpg

Conclusion: Drive in a spirited manner and enjoy it - you wont prevent glodal warming but at least you will get where you are going and make the most of your purchase without spending time in court or worse, spending weekends polishing your car waiting for your driving ban to finish!

[beken]

Having taken a certified defensive driving course before, I think I do drive safely as I remain cognizant of stuff going on around me in traffic. However, a quick peek at the speedo from time to time see me doing on average 10-??? kms higher than with my other cars.

[Haggi]

spirited

[DaFlake]

The car has allowed me to take my driving up a notch, but I am still courteous.

[Mister]

I drive like a maniac. I can admit it. I've driven like a maniac with every car I've ever owned (even the 115 hp Cooper); however, it's much more fun to bob, weave and jockey for position in my S than it was in my Kia Sorento! I think people are surprised to find a little, blond, middle aged woman behind the wheel after witnessing my driving. I try to avoid the crazy road rage, though. I'm a maniac, not an a-hole.

[Lawrothegreat]

I drive very sensibly, and adhere to all speed limits on straight roads, but then come the corners. It's the only car that I've driven that causes me to press the accelerator and not the brake on entering corners! safely of course

[cristo]

I drive my MINI in a very spirited manner, but only with due consideration to the
other traffic on the road.
Same as with my old car -- an 82 VW Rabbit with a lot of mods - mostly
suspension improvements.

[xtremepsionic]

I was more aggressive the first couple of months of owning the MINI, but now I try not to scare other people on the road

But if its any indication, my tires are already HALF worn out at just 9300 kms (6100miles)