107 replies to this topic

[sonikk4]

I decided to take Paddy to work the other night. Now its a 46 mile journey along the A27, A23, M23. Quite a nice drive to be honest.

 

Now for the majority i was following a Toyota Verso who was driving at just under the speed limit for the best part of the journey. Once you get to the Beddingham roundabout it becomes dual carriageway. Here i saw my chance to overtake Mr Verso and move along. OH NO he was not having any of that and so this then went on for the rest of the journey right up to Gatwick Airport.

 

Now if he did 70 mph all of the way then happy days but no 60 to 70 was his up and down speed. Every time i built up momentum to overtake he would then pull out. Over dramatic, no i don't think so. I do this journey everyday in my Passat CC and have no issues but this one bird brain made it more unpleasant. Sad really as generally i find i have no issues normally. 

 

My real pet hate on this journey are Taxi drivers, so called professional drivers. Really if that is what they are then the majority of them should really take their tests again. Indicators what are they then?? must be a faddy thing as they do not use them at all. Just pull out and to hell with anybody else as I AM A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER!!! Now don't get me wrong they are not all like this and i think most normal day to day to Taxi Drivers are considerate but the ones around Airports seem to switch into I DON'T GIVE A TOSS mode.

 

As for Audi and BMW drivers well if a certain TV programme did not do a big thing about them then they are the same as any other car driver. They just happen to be popular cars.

[Badboytunes]

There are *******s in all makes of cars, new, old, presitge and everyday cars... Not just BMW's ect.

[Tubby1987]

I find quite a few drivers see a classic and decide to pick on them just because it's an old car. Not saying all drivers who get close are bullying, some of them may just be taking a closer look, but if so they'd back off after they've seen it. 

One example i have is around 3 weeks ago I drove from Leeds to York and took the country lanes instead of the A roads. They're pretty fast paced country roads but I won't go above 50-55 mph (don't want to thrash it about). There was an Audi TT behind me who suddenly sped right up to me, sat there a minute or so then backed way off and sat behind me for the next 10 miles till i turned off. Not once did he try get close or overtake and he had plenty of chances, so in my opinion he liked the mini and probably enjoyed following  

Then in most other cases it is actual bullying, happens quite a bit driving around Leeds and other places. I've risen above it now though, if they p*ss me off by tailgating I shove it into third gear and sit at 20, whether I'm on a 40 road, 50 road etc, until they get the hint and back off! Then i will gladly do the speed limit :) 

Other than most road users my mini gets loads of positive attention, from kids, old men, old women, teenagers, chavs, attractive lady's ;) gays the lot, I don't know of any person who has said they don't like mini's (proper mini's) Seems to make a lot of people smile here in Yorkshire! 

 

Don't let anyone bully you when out and about in your pride and joy, just remember they're in disposable cars, mini's aren't!!!!

[Tubby1987]

Just in response to posts about bikers, I personally find them to be the most considerate and respectful when I'm out in the mini. Never had a problem with them and most give a wave even if I've not done anything in acknowledgment.  

[SA MINI]

As above. Bikers are ace. I've even got a few foots up ( guessing that's like a thumbs up ? )

[Gerbil367]

Journey home yesterday saw and experienced 2 proper knobheads!  One in a customised VW Caddy doing 70+ in a 50 zone dual carriageway - in and out of each lane and also into the bus lane to undertake a row of traffic!  Next one (and Im not knocking VW drivers - I've had one of them too) two lanes through town and a long row of cars slow in the inside lane so I carry on in right hand lane at the 40 speed limit and slow a bit (just in case) while most cars turn left - as I pass a VW Bora and the car in front of him turns left he floors it and comes alongside - no issue - apart from the fact the lanes now converge in 100m into one (and Im already indicating to pull in) and he is now almost pushing me into oncoming traffic so I had to floor it myself to get in front and pull in safely (couldnt back off due to van behind me).  After 300m there are traffic lights ahead and were red (and its back to 2 lanes) so I slowed and the Bora came up the inside, but wouldnt draw alongside, I wound my window down - it was a guy about 60!!  I shouted to ask if there was any need for what he did and he just laughed!  Why are people like that - he had to see it was safer to let me just filter in???

[megamini_jb]

VW owners are Audi wannabes lol

[The Matt]

The frustrating thing is that classic mini's are far quicker than around 90% of cars on the road out of a junction.

I have NO idea how 90% of cars are deemed to be slower out of a junction than Classic Minis! Modern every day diesels are quicker off the mark than most classic Minis are.

I find it odd that a thread complaining about the supposed lack of respect towards Mini drivers has come to include a load of posts generalising about people and disrespecting them because of the cars they drive that aren't Minis!

[Gerbil367]

Matt, a lot of the remarks are more general observations about driving standards and atitudes rather than directly towards people's conduct on seeing Mini's (to me anyway) - for example I wasnt in my Mini during my moan about yesterdays driving and I dont tar all drivers of certain brands of car as being the demons of the road (especially as I seem to drive what many people are hating against  )

[Ethel]

I sometimes have a habit of driving too closely, but it's because I can see over other road users and anticipate on my approach to junctions to avoid coming to a stop. I suppose that'll be possible for more types of car behind a Mini. Other than that if I get close, or overtake, a Mini it's just to get a better look 

[rally1380]

Wow...seems to be a lot of people getting wound up about other's driving standards.  To be honest I do get miffed about other drivers driving poorly, but thats only if i'm needing to get somewhere in a hurry...which i suppose is my fault for leaving late.  And this usually happens when driving to missus' Focus.

 

When driving the mini, I usually get thumbs up and smiles from everyone.....apart from the dog round the corner which hates the car and almost drags the owner into the road via the lead everytime i see them...weird.

 

Might I suggest that people change their attitudes....

 

If you have a tool tailgating you - let them past. It's just not worth the hastle of looking in your mirror every second to check if they are gonna park their rep mobile in your back seat, and then you can get on with the enjoyable task of driving.  Alternately, if you have a bit of poke under the bonnet, let rip and leave them behind which again solves the problem but might gain you a speeding ticket.

 

People pulling out on you is a tricky one and is a constant issue in whatever car.  Only way round this is to get your headlights on to make yourself more visible so the half wit behind the steering wheel about to pull out see's you.

 

 

My favourite journeys are ones when you can just cruise around, window down, and chill out (obviously paying attention) and not get stressed about mr. or mrs. numpty in their modern box....change yer attitude and calm down and everything usually goes alot smoother....And then I walk up and realise i'm dreaming and have to drive in rush hour!!!!!

[Badboytunes]

I have never had an issue while driving the Mini. Different story when driving the daily. However, it doesnt bother me that much if they try and pull a stunt. I just up the ante and become 10x the ass hole driver that they are and give payback.

 

For example....... On the way home in the daily ( MINI, cough cough ) and im heading down the M6 to J1 to get onto the M1. As you approach the M6/M1 junction there are roadworks with 50mph average speed. Approx 3 miles before this some turd in a Honda HRV is sitting on my bumper flashing his lights. At this point I am safely overtaking trafic in the ouside lane at about 75mph. turd man sees a gap on the inside and puts his foot down to undertake me. Just ahead is the next lorry i am about to overtake. Seeing turd man trying to get past me I accelerate and "box" him in. I gesticulate at him while sounding the horn to attract his attention. I notice its an oldish gent around 70, driving gloves, dai cap the lot and he will not acknowledge me. Laughing, I overtake the lorry and pull in and he whizzes by. By this point we are now in the av speed section. He is sitting on the rear bumper of the car in front lights flashing.... its not moving. Seeing a chance, I undertook him and then he followed by doing the same. By now we are over the 50mph speed limit. He finally comes past me giving me the V's, to which I responsped by waving my front number plate at him and pointing to the camera's. I felt quite smug for the rest of my journey home, knowing that he will get a NIP inthe post for speeding.

 

So it seems, it can be any age driver in any type of vehicle.

Edited by Badboytunes, 17 September 2014 - 12:14 PM.

[SA MINI]

I have never had an issue while driving the Mini. Different story when driving the daily. However, it doesnt bother me that much if they try and pull a stunt. I just up the ante and become 10x the ass hole driver that they are and give payback.
 
For example....... On the way home in the daily ( MINI, cough cough ) and im heading down the M6 to J1 to get onto the M1. As you approach the M6/M1 junction there are roadworks with 50mph average speed. Approx 3 miles before this some turd in a Honda HRV is sitting on my bumper flashing his lights. At this point I am safely overtaking trafic in the ouside lane at about 75mph. turd man sees a gap on the inside and puts his foot down to undertake me. Just ahead is the next lorry i am about to overtake. Seeing turd man trying to get past me I accelerate and "box" him in. I gesticulate at him while sounding the horn to attract his attention. I notice its an oldish gent around 70, driving gloves, dai cap the lot and he will not acknowledge me. Laughing, I overtake the lorry and pull in and he whizzes by. By this point we are now in the av speed section. He is sitting on the rear bumper of the car in front lights flashing.... its not moving. Seeing a chance, I undertook him and then he followed by doing the same. By now we are over the 50mph speed limit. He finally comes past me giving me the V's, to which I responsped by waving my front number plate at him and pointing to the camera's. I felt quite smug for the rest of my journey home, knowing that he will get a NIP inthe post for speeding.
 
So it seems, it can be any age driver in any type of vehicle.

Ha , quality

[megamini_jb]

So annoying when someone sitting up your arse even though you're doing the limit, then they overtake, only to get in front of you and then just potter along, but slower!

Edited by megamini_jb, 17 September 2014 - 12:23 PM.

[HarrysMini]

To be honest, I think bikers are the most respectful and courteous road users. At least that's just from my limited experience.

 

And this.. http://www.carthrott...th-in-humanity/