[walk0080]

Hello from Canada! I have a bit of a rant and (maybe) a question in here somewhere...

What it is with so many people that have a problem with small cars in North America? I am often getting flak from people when I mention I am considering a new Mini Cooper S. I get so many dumb comments about Minis - I am thinking of just not talking about cars anymore in public:

It's so small ... It's a girls' car ... Not enough power ... It's not a real BMW ... My (Insert large heavy 4-door sedan such as BMW 7-series or large Infinity) can out-handle your car (Huh?!) ...

I try to explain power to weight ratios, agility due to low weight, unique character, it's just no use. These people have egos as big as their cars.

So what do other members on this forum do in such situations? I don't have as big of an ego, I am not willing to go in debt to drive a really expensive car or have a big watch. I prefer fun to drive and character over sheer horsepower.

BTW, I live and work in Canada's largest city (Toronto)... which might explain some of my frustration.

[Bhozar]

I say go for it. Its stll a shame that many US and UK people still think bigger is better.

I had a friend recently say, "My GF says I'm not allowed another small car after my last crash" Then he bought a large car that had the same crash rating. Duh.

[Mister]

I think you're right about it being an ego issue, although females buy into the "bigger is better" mentality also (i.e. Pam Anderson )

As for the MINI being a girl's car: Personally, I'd much rather date a man who drives a MINI than a man who drives a 4x4 massive white-trash truck with a lift kit.

[MINImeat]

Mutter "obviously compensating for something..." as you walk away.

Seriously, alot of MINI owners have figured out that the vast majority of non-MINI owners "just don't get it" for one reason or another and have found that it's best to just enjoy our "little secret" without trying to make them understand. The best part is when a clueless person chances to ride in or drive a MINI and reports to you about their "sudden epiphany".

[rec]

i think it's because Americans have always had big vehicles, therefore dont understand the concept of supermini's.

big engine = powerful car... small engine = slow car...
umm... no ;]

[MINImeat]

Also, BIG = SAFE, and I haven't been able to convince them otherwise.

[DerekH]

Walk0080 rise above it they just have not got the sense to know a proper drivers car and if they knew BMW thay would know the Mini was be a proper handling car, also what is a proper car our BMW 330D Sport, the proper car is the one you like and want and i can tell you i like driving the Mini better than the BMW, and if they think it's a girls car let them think that but it's for everyone that like's it so don't listen to the dome munger's get the car that is most fun your Mini adventure will be good.

[NicPlusOne]

A guy I know always laughs at me for driving girls cars, although I am a girl so i dont see what his problem is!!

My boyfriend drives a new vw beetle and he gets the "girls car" comment despite the fact he is 6ft 4!!

Also, can people not comprehend small car + engine similar to that in their big car = very fast

Jesus!!

[rec]

big dont necessarily mean safe, the smart car is one of the safest cars around cos it's just a rollcage on wheels.
oh, and the american pickups that dont even pass Euro NCAP... huge but VERY unsafe.

[mikbmini]

I get quite a bit of stick about my car, comments about where do I keep my blonde wig etc. People who actually know anything about cars though ought to understand why the MINI scores so highly in the handling and performance stakes. My Dad, the proud owner of a 2002 BMW M5 has always had large performance cars, and was not totally convinced about my choice of car when I told him what I was getting. That was until he actually drove it! He seriously reckons that my Cooper S is as fast as his 5 litre 400bhp M5 in any situation where corners are involved, and that my steering has more feeling than his (even when he presses the "sports mode" button)

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by MINImeat (original)

Also, BIG = SAFE, and I haven't been able to convince them otherwise.

See here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/autos-min...ml#post3162082

Not exactly a fair test, but helps debunk that myth for sure.

[lilcoopr]

Quote: Originally Posted by walk0080 (original)

Hello from Canada! I have a bit of a rant and (maybe) a question in here somewhere...

What it is with so many people that have a problem with small cars in North America? I am often getting flak from people when I mention I am considering a new Mini Cooper S. I get so many dumb comments about Minis - I am thinking of just not talking about cars anymore in public:

It's so small ... It's a girls' car ... Not enough power ... It's not a real BMW ... My (Insert large heavy 4-door sedan such as BMW 7-series or large Infinity) can out-handle your car (Huh?!) ...

I try to explain power to weight ratios, agility due to low weight, unique character, it's just no use. These people have egos as big as their cars.

So what do other members on this forum do in such situations? I don't have as big of an ego, I am not willing to go in debt to drive a really expensive car or have a big watch. I prefer fun to drive and character over sheer horsepower.

BTW, I live and work in Canada's largest city (Toronto)... which might explain some of my frustration.

Hey! I live and work in Toronto too and my MINI and I have the best time! So much fun! I could start listing all the ways my MINI has improved my life and what I love about it, but I'll be here all day.

I suggest you come out to a Southern Ontario MINI Club meet or event and hang out with some of us owners. We meet in a central location in the GTA and we welcome new members and potential new ones as well. Would maybe help you out in deciding -- we're a friendly bunch and you'll at least make new friends at the end of the night.

Hope to see you around (in a MINI!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

I've always chosen big cars from my first Montego estate () back in 1986 and never understood the small car thing, until the MINI arrived I still drive a big estate car for work out of necessity, but would now gladly swap for a something smaller if I didn't have to move big loads for work.

Let's face it, driving a big car can be very good for the ego / status and it takes a lot of confidence to ditch it for something much smaller. I'd suggest those don't understand probably have insecurity problems all of their very own You watch, I bet once you've swapped, others will follow If not, find yourself some new friends!

[steve11]

Theres only 3 things wrong with most big cars.....
They don't go,
They don't stop,
They don't handle.
Aside from that i'm sure they'r fine...

[yellowmininy]

People who know cars understand what the Mini is about. Sometimes I think people put it down out of jealousy, and sometimes it's from people who have driven large cars for so long they don't know what it's like to have a maneuverable vehicle. I remember reading something recently that said that people in large vehicles feel safer, but may not be, partly because they lose the sense of contact with the road (vibration dampening etc), whereas people with smaller cars may be safer because of the feedback of road conditions, and maneuverability. And then there's the Mini airbags and frame rigidity. I've seen pictures & heard stories from Mini owners who had accidents involving moose, logging trucks, garbage trucks, and quite a few others, and the injuries to the driver and passengers in these accidents was minimal. I was hit by a dump truck last year, and had some hatch damage, but the Mini holds up very well on impact.

I'll second the previous mention of the Southern Ontario Mini folks- I've met a few and they are a nice bunch!

[GAX857W]

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I am sure the moderators will remove my comment about the north American Gas Guzzler Sydrome and their inability to drive any vehicle unless is cant do less than 15MPG.

I would go on but being a new member I dont either

A want to upset anyone
B Get booted off!

So I back away graciously!

[walk0080]

Thanks very much for all the positive and supportive comments!

[Step_7]

Quote: Originally Posted by steve11 (original)

Theres only 3 things wrong with most big cars.....
They don't go,
They don't stop,
They don't handle.
Aside from that i'm sure they'r fine...

I've found that the best way to knock sense into "non-believers" is to take them for a drive through some tight S-bends and make sure they bang their heads off the side window as you change direction....

[iain cooper]

I feel I'm in a good position to comment on this as I have owned and driven large Landrovers and Toyotas for a number of years before my MC.

It is true that large 4x4's are safer in the respect that if you hit one with your mini, who would come off worst..........no arguement. That is why if you have kids, etc it is a safe place for them to travel.

Also large 4x4's such as the Landrover are more relaxing to drive than the mini. You are not tempted to drive fast ( unless your a luny ) and although a journey may take longer, you come out less stressed, etc

Also you see more in a large 4x4, over hedges, walls, other cars, etc which tends to make a long journey more enjoyable and adds to the safety aspect of driving.

To summarise, you cannot really compare these two entirely different types of vehicle and to knock either vehicle or driver is unfair and pointless.

At the end of the day you pays your money and makes your choice.

In my opinion the ideal would be to have a Range Rover and MCS in the garage, ie the best of both worlds.

[Step_7]

Quote: Originally Posted by iain cooper (original)

It is true that large 4x4's are safer in the respect that if you hit one with your mini, who would come off worst..........no arguement.

But they both have 4 NCAP (5 for an R56) stars why do you feel that the Range Rover occupant will come off best?

Not trying to start an argument BTW, just curious!