cambo
Avid Rider
Gas prices here in the states are pretty damn high these days, close to $4/gallon. (I know we don't have room to complain, you folks in Europe are paying almost triple that? quadruple? ridiculous...)
Anyway, I decided enough is enough. No more gas guzzling commutes in my truck. I bought myself a mini cooper for two reasons: 1) fuel economy (36 hwy) and 2) fun as hell to drive! damnit it feels good to drive a manual again.
My 2-hour commute into work today was really my first time taking it out on the road for a prolonged period of time and in any resemblance of traffic as I live quite close to the dealership I bought it from.
However, after only a short while on the road, I began to realize that I felt every bit as insecure in this Mini on these DC area roads as I do on my motorcycle!! I initially forgot how small this car was. And that I'm no longer in my full size. and that a toyota prius can bully me just as much as a silverado 3500HD.
My head was on a swivel...just like it is on my bike. Mirror checks every other second. Can't relax at red lights, gotta be ready to move the eff out of the way in case the semi behind me looked like he wasn't going to stop. Shoot it doesn't even have to be a semi, a g'damn corolla would sandwich me in this thing. You know it's bad when you avoid being in a honda civic's blind spot! Nevermind the freaking Hummer H2's every soccer mom has around here. Because of the tiny 16" wheels, I've got to keep an eye out for the smallest pot holes and the like.
I guess it's all good habits to keep fresh for when I do get on the bike. Can't hurt to constantly hone the pro active driving skills. But geesus...this shit's gonna give me some grey hairs! And to think I was almost about to opt for one of those smartcar fortwos...lol! At least the mini has some decent power to move out of danger.
Anyway, thought I'd share. I'm really just bored at work tonight. Maybe there's other cooper drivers out there?
Anyway, I decided enough is enough. No more gas guzzling commutes in my truck. I bought myself a mini cooper for two reasons: 1) fuel economy (36 hwy) and 2) fun as hell to drive! damnit it feels good to drive a manual again.
My 2-hour commute into work today was really my first time taking it out on the road for a prolonged period of time and in any resemblance of traffic as I live quite close to the dealership I bought it from.
However, after only a short while on the road, I began to realize that I felt every bit as insecure in this Mini on these DC area roads as I do on my motorcycle!! I initially forgot how small this car was. And that I'm no longer in my full size. and that a toyota prius can bully me just as much as a silverado 3500HD.
My head was on a swivel...just like it is on my bike. Mirror checks every other second. Can't relax at red lights, gotta be ready to move the eff out of the way in case the semi behind me looked like he wasn't going to stop. Shoot it doesn't even have to be a semi, a g'damn corolla would sandwich me in this thing. You know it's bad when you avoid being in a honda civic's blind spot! Nevermind the freaking Hummer H2's every soccer mom has around here. Because of the tiny 16" wheels, I've got to keep an eye out for the smallest pot holes and the like.
I guess it's all good habits to keep fresh for when I do get on the bike. Can't hurt to constantly hone the pro active driving skills. But geesus...this shit's gonna give me some grey hairs! And to think I was almost about to opt for one of those smartcar fortwos...lol! At least the mini has some decent power to move out of danger.
Anyway, thought I'd share. I'm really just bored at work tonight. Maybe there's other cooper drivers out there?
