YES

No. Not al all. Put paint the British flag on the roof and it'll rock!

If you're using it in a large scale theft operation, no. Otherwise, possibly.

no, it is not a girl car. even if it was, steve is so incredibly manly, that he could pull it off.

It is absolutely a chick car. The Scion xA, on the other hand, is just a compact.

Nope. I know a guy who drives a mini. He's real quiet and mild-tempered in normal life, you know? Like the kindah guy you just figure is gay because he's so unmanly?

Then I saw him peel out of my school parking lot in his mini, going like 80 in a school zone. Shattered all my preconceptions about the guy.

Plus they're in the italian job. That's a good movie.

Personally, I think that the Mini, much like the Beetle, is a great example of a new car that conforms to the basic shape and look of the old car while taking everything that was good and throwing it out. Old Beetles weren't chick cars; new ones are. The difference is that the old ones were cheap damn useful vehicles. The new ones are expensive mockups of the original.

However, I should probably mention that I don't know much about Minis. That's just the impression that I get.

Total Girly-mobile

Yes. But put a Union Jack on it and its a Boys car!!!

No way, it's a guy car, as long as you put four fog lights on the front to make it look like the old Monte Carlo Rally Mini.

Also, adopt a cockney accent like Michael Caine.

If Coop says it's a guy car, that counts for a lot.

Mini-Cooper - definitely a chick car, and lots of uppity 50something women drive them in my area.
Personally, if I was going for a new compact car, I'd go for that Dodge Caliber they're advertising now. It portrays a pretty good amount of bad-assery. In a compact kind of way of course.

I think that it depends on the person driving it. The car itself is somewhat girly in nature, but if a really masculine and cool guy were to drive it he wouldn't seem out of place.

If you really want a compact I'd go for a Scion because of the reliability of the Toyota engines.

In closing, buy a Lancer Evolution.

I don't think the original Mini is a chick car. Of course, the convertible Mini is a completely different story. That thing oozes estrogen.

New mini maybe, old mini definitely not.

an old mini would kick ass, but a new one would just suck balls. honda civic type R? that would be cool. not much character though.

Only if you get the Cooper S type in a good color.

As a guy who owns a Mini, I guess I should say it's not a chick car - but really I don't care either way. Drive what you like.

Here's something that I find unsettling, however. When I'm driving my Mini around, people in other Mini's wave or flash their lights at me - like we're in some Mini Fraternity (Sorority?) and are obligated to use the secret handshake to acknowledge a common bond. That's weird. I just ignore them. Maybe I should give them the finger.

Get the Supercharged version if you do get one. Enjoy.

hah, man i hate the mini coopers.

h8.

Yes, it's a chick car. The notion that painting the Union Jack on it would somehow change that reality is absurd. Don't be that guy, Steve.

Airbrushed naked lady on the roof, however....classy and manly.

I agree with one of the previous commentors. Unless you are engaged in a high speed chase through the narrow streets of a large European city, the Mini is a total lady mobil.

I seem to remember some girl saying that the Mini had 'hips', much like the Renault Megane had an 'ass'.

Enough said.

On the other hand, a bright yellow Mini S, with a massive scoop in the bonnet, checks on the roof and 20 foglights would eat the bastard that said it had 'hips'. Then steal their wallet.

Yes. A yellow one. Trust me.

I would think it all depends on the colour. A pink one would obviously be a chick car, but a black one would definitely be pumped with some testosterone. Besides, if a man drives a chick car, that's pretty manly. It takes balls to do that, no?

Not at all. My dad owns one. In fact, I have seen more middle-aged men driving Minis than I've seen women. I say that as long as it isn't yellow or, well, pink, it isn't a "chick car."

Abso-friggin-loutely!

See, in the land of the Mini's birth (and I mean the old Mini) having a 'manly car' is another way of saying 'a car I will never, ever be able to park, anywhere, ever'. The street outside my house is 8' wide. And it's not one way. Most americans couldn't pass each other on a road that narrow, much less american cars. So the 'manly' issue probably didn't come up much when it was being designed.

I only read like, six comments. The allusions to "The Italian Job" bothered me. That movie was dumb.

However, the car is NOT chick car.
Buy one.
Drive one.
Run down nuns.

Dude. Tyler is right. The movie wasn't any good. Also, buy one. Do't they get decent milage? Thats what I base my car purchases on. With gas at 3.50 a gallon, matey, that should be your ONLY reason for buying a car.

No! The mini is a manly, awesome car. See, e.g., Scrubs, the Italian job, etc. Also, consider this: SUVs, Hummers, and fancy sports cars are used to compensate for other, smaller equipment. The Mini send the opposite message, "My penis is so large, that I don't need a giant car to compensate."

If your only reason for buying a car is gas mileage, uh, get a bike.

Yes, minis are chick cars. (If the majority of guys driving them must be classified as "middle-aged", well...what do you think?)

Forget the car, get a bike, let your wife drive the minivan with the kids.

I'd say its less gay than maybe...a Yaris, but still pretty girly...we'll call it metro.

My gay friend drives one. So, technically no, but practically, yes.

My girlfriend has one so that may make it girly however I love to drive it, so draw your own conclusions.

Nope, not a girl car. It's not a big, butch manly car but then any man who needs a massive car to prove he's a man is lacking something.

Have you driven a Mini?? They are crazy powerful and fun to drive. My parents have one, and my husband wants to steal it. It's like driving a go-cart on 'roids. Drive it one time, there will be no question that it's NOT a girl car. (Unless said girl is awesome.)

Buy one for me and I'll let you know.

Boyfriend drives one (the sport model, in red). Yes, I am a girl, and he is a boy.

The Mini says "The dimensions of my penis are not a concern to me."

Some colors are girlier than others. Red and black and silver are more manly than light blue.

Beware that the S model requires premium gas, and that ain't cheap. Not sure if this is true about the regular one.

Be more worried about how you're gonna fit the kids in there. Boyfriend is 6 foot 3 and fits himself in there fine (way better than in my utilitarian Honda Civic), but in his car there are zero inches of clearance space between the back of the front seat and the front of the back seat.

No, it's not a chick car at all. I think guys driving that sort of thing look distinguished. I get curious.

However, I'd look to toyota right now if you're looking for new cars since they seem to be the only one's on this ethanol movement right now.

Hondas are damn good too. You just can't go wrong there.

All those people that think it's a girl car obviously haven't driven one. One of the most fun cars on the road today.

I don't know about whether the car will make you manly or not, but Neil Gaiman (fabulous writer/devil-salsa maker) drives one so if you wanna be just like Neil - get the car. And really, who doesn't wanna be like Neil. All the guys wanna be him, all the girls wanna do him. You want that for yourself, don't you Steve?

No, the Mini isn't a chick car...most of my (manly) guy friends would kill for one. Great on gas mileage, highly customizable and distinctive...GET A MINI, DAMNIT!

While the mini may be a chick car for midgets, it is definetly not a chick car. It's tiny everywhere and kind of looks like the car that Hitler rode around in, which is just wierd. While compacts are cool and economical, this one is a bear to drive and will make you hate your daily commute.

Having ridden in a Mini I can tell you, its slow, and handles like a boat. The turbo may be slightly different speed wise, but the handling does not get any better, which means no impressing girls with your cool performance ride.

Unless you are afraid of the relativistic effects of faster transportation, (the faster you go the smaller it gets), ditch the mini get a bike and an extra helmet. If you must get a car, try the Jetta, not much more sexy but atleast you will have an occult following of people (many women included) who think your car is some sort of lower deity.

Chick car all the way. And its really hard to use when going grocery shopping for a large family because you cant fit so much in it.

Nope. Not a chick car. I'll tell you what is, though. It's a chick MAGNET.

Get a new Volkswagen GTI, that car is rad.

Definately not a chick car. I've seen plenty of normal looking dudes driving around in the S version of the Cooper with those nice white racing stripes and they look pretty badass.

Two Words;

Mr. Bean

Nuff, said.

Steve... seriously.. youd break my heart if you drove one of those. I being a chick, think its way too much of a chick car for even myself to drive. therefore... get yourself a truck...PLEASE dont get a mini cooper.

The mini has potential to be a chick car, without a doubt. But then you drive one. That much fun should be illegal...well, okay it kinda is.

They handle extremely well, and are a blast to drive.

Don't skimp though...the only thing worth buying is the CooperS.

-Dave

Long time lurker, first time enabler ... I'm a bit of a car buff and it's Sunday, so I'm letting loose.

If the mini [sic] catches your eye and your heart, and at its price point it should make your GD breakfast for you, be wary of the dealer. Off the top of my head I don't remember what part of Califonia you're in but know the BMW dealers allowed into the mini franchise are, on the whole, the sleaziest operators in the network. For BMW, that's really saying something. The cars are great on the whole, but the dealer experience can effect just how early you trade in, which with mini can be mere months.

A number of coolies I know would be driving mini today were it not for the miserable experience at the two dealers closest to my fair city some 80 and 140 miles away. The one person who actually took the plunge got by-no-means-unique special dispensation to deal with a plethora of warranty-covered issues at a BMW dealer within the city limits due to "quite a few" (their words) complaints about the 80 mile away dealership.

No it's not a chick car. Simply choose your accessories and colors with care. Here's a list of similar cars with which people seem to be pleased:

Dodge Caliber (if only you could get a Plymouth version for less cost and free of that "if this doesn't make it a chick car nothing will" ad campaign)

Audi A3 (largely free of the bugs, if you will, plauging it's Rabbit cousin, consider their well regarded "Ceritfied Pre-Owned" plan)

2007, the one available just now, Hyundai Accent (available in the rest of the world for a year. I'm not kidding. Think of a less sterile Toyota with ridiculously low insurance costs. For the price of one of these you could replace the Honda-miserable front seats and still come out ahead. It's all but theft proof, too.)

Mazda 3 (the beloved Euro-only Ford Focus, but on this continent. Get one in a bland color and they won't think you're overcompensating.)

Nissan Versa (established everywhere else, but new here so be wary)

if you could get a Scion Bb that didn't look like it was customized with JC Whitney-sourced parts, I'd recommend that.

Suzuki Aerio (I have a thing against GM, but this is the one version of this vehicle also sold by Chevy, Pontiac and Toyota that is bling-free, theft-proof and not built at NUMMI but at a plant where they consider quality over volume.)

Mitsubishi Lancer (it's the rightful heir of the classic MCA Jet sold under dozens of names and marques over the years including Dodge/Plymouth Colt. It's not exciting but it will be running twenty years from now. Solid, comfortable, just enough throttle, and Mitsu can't seem to move them off the lot so you might get one for a song.)

Honda is conspicuously absent from the list. The new generation Civic is too big, and the Fit is unproven on this continent.

How's that.

The old ones, no. The new ones, yes.

Not at all !! Get a Cooper S with the works kit....it will have 250 hsp and goes like a rocket. I used to work fpr BMW which is buiölding the Mini Cooper and drove one with a works kit, at the redlight you could see motobikers crying cause they could not follow, this car is good fun, its nothing if you have family or if you have to transport big things, otherwise this is it, the ulmitative toy for little money.

Might as well have a tampon dispenser included with A/C and a CD player...

how gay

Why minis are manly.

http://www.pvponline.com/archive.php3?archive=20040423

Also? No jokes about compensating for something.

One of the sexiest men I know drives a mini.

No. But I had to be told this by my 16 year old son; skate boarder fanatic, totally cool kid who digs the ladies and happens to like tight pants.

Yeah.

???

It's not a chick car...but maybe a Hummer would make you feel more like a man if you have to ask in the first place.

My kid is cool, he's not a fruit and he thinks the car is "Way Sweet". It takes a real man to drive one.

Personally, I wouldn't. But I'm not a man.

Good Luck

Not at all.

Yes. Unless you're british. Or happy to annouce your 'coming out'.

It's a chick magnet, i'd date a man in a mini (especially if it were convertable)

Girlie? No.
Fugly? Yes.

Don't do it, Steve. I'll never see you in the same way again.

About the performance issues: We borrowed our friend's Mini convertible when we were on vacation in Florida, and it was a lot of fun to drive. (I say this a dedicated car dude whose daily driver is an actual hot rod Model A !) The Mini is tiny, and handles well. The Go-Kart comparison is accurate. My only complaint was that it could have more horsepower, (that's my complaint w/EVERY new car!)but the supercharged version w/a 5-speed will take care of that problem.

Who cares? If you buy it and you drive it than it's a a guy's car, I'd say.

Just imagine that you are starting your own movement, to prevent the mini from BECOMING a chick car...

Do your part, man!

Mini! It's a car that says "I'm comfortable enough with my masculinity to drive this car." I'm all for you getting one if you don't want to go the hybrid route.

Chick car? Definitely not.

However, it doesn't come in a diesel. This means you can't use biodiesel. This means that while gas prices are on the rise, you can't use the biodiesel that's going to be pretty stable in price. Around here, biodiesel is about the same price as diesel. It's also the same price it's been for basically a year. A year from now, when we're looking at $4 gas, I'll be filling up my TDI with $3 biodiesel and laughing.

Your choices for diesel vehicles are limited, but VW has TDI's in Jetta, Golf and Passat flavors, so if a sedan or hatchback is your goal, they have you covered.

get an all black one
fast one not the slow one

Absolutely not-- I adored my Mini Cooper S with its 6-speed Getrag manual. Mmmmm.

Oh, yeah it is, but there are some exceptions. It is manly if you use it for these things:

1. Racing through the streets of Europe.
2. Illegaly drag-racing in the city.
3. Painted a tight decal on it.
4. Hitting people.

The kind of car a guy drives gives great insight into the size of his... well... you know.

The bigger his car… the smaller his… well… you know.

Whenever I go on a date and the guy pulls up in a mini... I couldn't be more thrilled!
-Joan

P.S. The exception: when he pulls up in a mini van and has already mentioned he has kids.

I think the idea of a vehicle being gender-specific is rather asinine, since it doesn't matter how it looks, but how it rides. But then again, I'm functionality-over-form, so I take what I get, as long as it works good.

In other words, as long as it drives good, it's just as good as any vehicle.

Yes. It's either a chick car or says that you're so obliviously married-with-children that you have no need to appeal to the opposite sex. Ever. Again.
White, automatics and convertibles of any margnially feminine models also tend to repel women who appreciate masculinity.

Only if you're sitting in it.

Sebastian

Its like the almost-empty jug of milk in the fridge . . . if you have to ask if its OK, it probably ain't. The question comes from your subconscious telling you that it smells a little, um, queer. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Dude, the Mini Cooper S is a street legal version of a go-kart. The car sticks to the road like glue and is a thrill to drive...

who cares whether people think its a chick's car? if you're in it for the ride, then you'll have them eating dust in 7.4 seconds...plus, the convertible model is hot!

BUY BUY BUY!

A full fledged vag-wagon.

Buy a truck. .........Load up some stuff and take it somewhere.

Think, middle-aged woman, trying to be trendy and cool, driving to her plastic surgeons office to get her weekly dose of botox. That just ain't you Steve.

Don't do it. Be really different and buy a Holden! HAHAHA!

Mini - Somewhat Girly

Chevy 3500 Dually - MANLY

Man up, Steve...get a truck. Screw the Earth First pussies.

I, personally, don't mind it at all....

My husband drives a Cooper S that pretty much looks like your picture. I don't think it's a girly car at all!

I want a british racing green mini cooper S with white racing stripes and the fog lights. i'd put the license MY SUV. you could steal my idea, i won't mind. i have a pontiac vibe now.

Damn no, it's not!!! Anybody who tells you it's a chick car is just jealous that you're going to get it. Don't listen to that bull shit.

The mini is only a "chick car" to those men who are insecure about their .... ummmm.. manhood. Such men can usually be found driving Hummers. A manly guy like you Steve, can surely drive a Mini with confidence.

definitely a chick car

Chick cars are defined as cars that have extra swooshy or sporty styling but are slower than molasses - Dodge Neons and Hyundai Tiburons are chick cars. If you get the supercharged Mini, they go like stink and are therefore not chick cars. That being said, it's probably not the best choice for a guy with two kids...

This is a total chick car, unless of course you get it in blue or black, cause that just oozes masculinity.

I can't fathom a man coming to my house to pick me up, an din a tight packed sardine compact car. I think possibly the only benifit to the coop, is that its got guts, but then again, women always fing great ways to injure themselves with power am I right?

So, in fact, I dont think anyone should drive this car, unless they are wearing an orange wig, with a bright red nose, and a whole bunch of monkeys are in the back seat.

'Nuff said

You're fine with a Mini; just make sure you spend the extra money for the 'S' and the oversized sunroof. It's hip, urban young professional...can't go wrong and it doesn't scream "I’m trying too hard" like the fella's in the low end BMW 300 series.

Chicks? No. Really effeminate dudes? You bet.

Mindiaka gets it right. For a lot of guys, it seems that cars are like peacock feathers; men try to announce how "fit" they are through a flashy outward display.

I tend to think that the bigger the SUV, the more expensive the sports car, or the more muscular the muscle car, the smaller the penis of the driver. The same thing goes for the subwoofer and other accessories. The bigger the subwoofer and the louder the bumpin' and thumpin', or the larger the wheels, or the lower the car is lowered, or the larger the spoiler, etc. the smaller the penis of the driver.

My car need only get me from point A to point B safely and efficiently. The only drawback of the mini may be its safety profile. I don't think it is unsafe in-and-of itself, but in a land of monster SUVs, the mini might not be seen very well by other drivers and would probably be completely smashed in any collision with one of those tank-like vehicles. Plus, the inability to see around larger vehicles might be annoying/dangerous.

I don't see anything hanging between its legs so, yes, it's a chick car...they all are.

Uck. Why not just have the sex change? It's cheaper.

I'm all about Toyota. I have a Corrolla. You would have to shoot it in the engine block to kill it. It is the Terminator of family cars.

A suggestion:

A more manly vehicle on the same mini-cooper- theme is Toyota's FJ Cruiser. Kinda like a off-road mini!

Nah, I used one a while back, and it's really nice. Get the damn car man. Make sure you spring for the nice stereo and the carbon fiber hood.

YESYESYES

I don't really think so. I know alot of chicks LIKE them, but hell, I do too. Besides, what does it matter if you're the one who likes the car? I'm positive that not only would yours be BADASS, but I'm also sure you can come up with amazing things to say to those dumb enough to comment negatively..."Yeah it's a mini, and theres a picture in the glove compartment of me bent over your mother! Wanna see it?!" The only negative is that if you get in an accident...you're probably fucked.

I vote total chick car. However, I'm about to buy my first minivan (which I will drive) so I have nothing more to say.

Nope, for all of the "no" reasons listed above. I'd totally dig a guy who drove a Mini, because it's so obviously not trying.

Girl car. Or balding man with small penis car. Strangely.

Monte Carlo Race Rally --- Formula One --- Euopean Race Rally---Sterling Moss---John Lennon.....all are associated with the history of the Mini. A chick car? I think not. Read on:
"First sold to the public in 1961, the Mini Cooper was a giant success in saloon and rally classes. It was the first British car to win the European Rally Championship and took the checkered flag at the Monte Carlo Rally three times."
Read more about the racing history of this awesome little car. It has very "manly" origins!
http://edition.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/europe/UK/12/24/mini.cooper.ap/

You have kids, but crave performance, yet aren't going the Mustang GT route... perhaps consider a Toyota Corolla XRS 6-speed (a good overview on this vehicle is here: http://www.corolland.com/corolla/corolla-xrs.html).
Actually, here's a list of prime contenders:
_Cooper Mini 'S'
_Toyota Matrix XRS (a.k.a. Pontiac Vibe)
_Dodge Caliber XST
_Toyota Corolla XRS
-The 'Yotas are reliable (AND remarkably crashworthy if you happen to live in an idiot-infested area). You'd probably do quite well with a Corolla LE, even. They're not usually thought of as performance sedans (although they handle very well!), but are fun-to-drive economical little units that can be little workhorses, too!
Edmunds.com has a handy "comparinator".
Good luck to you, Steve!

I gotta say this..............

A mini is the height of homosexuality.
If you get a mini you may as well buy a tutu and become a dancer

errm...welll..yes. yes it is.

And quite honestly, all this talk of painting it different or manning it up....wouldn't it just be easier to get a different car?

Borderline. You might be able to pull it off if you're a 20-something metro-sexual living in Manhattan, Seattle or, maybe, San Francisco. Buy a Jeep Commander and stop worrying your pretty little head.

Obviously a REAL Man's penis couldn't possibly fit in such a small car. Better ditch the mini and leave it for the va-jay-jay-ed gender.

If it weren't for The Italian Job, it would be a chick car. Now, it's debatable, but I'd say sufficient machismo has been infused to make it not a chick car.

lets be honest. This is a huge yes. I don't think any bloke in one of those could be considered manly. The old ones maybe, if it was the sports one and had the union jack on the roof, but the new one is for girls.

Plus i agree with alex, anyone with a real cock ain't ganna fit it in that car..

no, they are chick cars.
they just suck.

The normal, base car; yes. The John Cooper Supercharged edition, no.

THE MINI IS FOKIN' NIIIIIIIIIIIIICE

1. The fact that you are even asking the question...well....

2. My hubby owns a VW bug. Yes, he's a great guy and so confident in himself that he is not hung up on stupid stereotype crap; however....I can guarantee that you will never get ANY respect in that car while on the road. And if you're looking for a car that says "road rage me, I'm a wuss anyway", the Bug will do it for you for MUCH cheaper...

I've seen you, Steve, and you are just burly enough to pull off a Mini as long as it's done correctly. Coop's rally light idea is a good one, and nothing in British Racing Green could ever be a chick car, even a VW Cabriolet. Having driven my (manly) girlfriend's Mini, it's sort of a hoot.

Longtime looker, first time poster.

No qualms with the masculinity of the Mini, but if you're more than four and a half feet tall I wouldn't recommend it without proper Yoga training. As a six foot four guy I have to fold like a wallet getting into one of those things.

Steve, you know my thoughts. As long as it's a manly color and you get the zippier Mini Cooper S you're cool. And kids seem to love this car. I guess because it looks like a toy. Your kids will love it. DO NOT GET A VW BUG! I think any car with a flower holder in the dashboard is definitely a chick car.

An unmodified Mini, straight off the lot, is a total girl car. It's not a woman car, or a lady car, it's a girl car. Modify it, however, and it can easily be a guy car.

This is from a guy who's been driving Saturns for the past 11 years, so take it with a grain of salt.

I say SCREW IT if a bunch of chicks think a car is "cute". If you like it, buy it to spite everyone who thinks otherwise. Look at 90 pound soccer moms driving giant SUVs or massive pickups with extended cabs. They look retarded in those things..what if they decided the Magnum was cute, or the Viper? However, I realize that some cars are INTENDED as chick magnets, like the Beetle. I mean, it has a frigging FLOWER HOLDER in the dash! If that doesn't scream vagina, I don't know what does.

Men look stupid getting out of cars like that. So do tall women. It is a car for short women. And for Tom Cruise. (Note to Tom: that wasn't a compliment.)

Chick car, all the way.

Dude, who cares? Aside from the Mini's excellent racing heritage and the fact that BMW supplies the parts, have you ever driven one? It handles like a frickin' go kart! Who cares what anyone else thinks?

It's a ton of fun and its the cheapest way into the BMW driving experience around.

That being said, a guy absolutely must by the Cooper S with a manual trans. The John Cooper Works package would be better.

From a chick, I say no. I'd say it's a "euro" car. I envison european men in it, not chick.

Maybe I watch too many movies.

Growing up there was this guy in my neighbourhood who pretty much built one all by himself from his kit. How manly is that?!

ps - if you really want to get gastronimcally adventurous you need to visit Asia Steve! (pigs intestines, duck bills, fermented tofu - aka stinky tofu) You just ain't livin it yet!! :)

Nope. I know a guy who drives one. He's freakishly tall and watching him drive that thing can be quite amusing.

It looks like something the Spice Girls
would've driven. In fact, I think they DID. That aside, though, I think that if you bought one that was black, red, or gray as opposed to the shiny, glossy blue color, it would look a whole lot better. That, and maybe add nitro boosters. Then it might be more of a guy car.

The Mini can be a chick car, but I mostly think of it as a geezer car.

The Mini is a staple of rallying, Italian jobs and Classic Kiwi Movies (Goodbye Pork Pie, anyone?)

Therefore, it is as manly as a mustang.

Okay here's my take on it. The Mini is a "cute" car. Now I'm not saying that the size of the car is somehow symbolically linked to one's perception of the size of one's joy stick, what I am saying is if you're not European with an accent, I personally would think that you might be a very young driver, or a gay driver - which is also fine, it all depends how you want to be perceived. Because if you didn't care what anyone thought, you wouldn't have asked. You would have just bought the damn car and zipped around town any ole' way you pleased.
When I see a man driving a Mini I, albeit unfairly, think one of the following group of things;
He's a college student
He wasn't born in this country
He might be gay
He's into economy and/or the environment and he wants to be cool at the same time.
All of which are fine in my book.
It's just about how you want to be percieved.
And also I live in a town where "the car you drive = your value as a human being cult" is way out of control.

No, it's not a "chick car." Watch "The Italian Job."

You dont want to be a brit, do you steve?
Get an american car.
get a fucking hummer.
You can't park them in all of the parking garages.
Now that's just plain manly.

So big it doesn't even fit.
Huh? Huh?

Do you want people to tell you that you're mini?

No. You're so big you dont fit.
Yah.
Hummer.
Get a hummer.

dont get mini.

It's a chick car if a chick drives it and puts all her pink crap all over the car and makes it girly. The bug on the other hand is more of a chick car. A 1-10 poll should be set up with this one 1 being manly and 10 being girly. I would give it a 4 casue the thing rides like a go cart. my 14 cents. Ohh yeah and itallion job is a good point definetly added to it's manlyness in my book of manly things in my head that no on can read :(.

Only the most manly men can pull off driving a Mini and not look queer.

Don't get a Mini. Get a Caddy.

Steve -- The Mini is a great car, until you get flattened by a behemoth like a Hummer or...in the case of the Mini....a Beetle.

Actually, the Beetle is a great choice, because of its fuel efficiency. If you're looking for a little more room, the VW Jetta and Passat are also nice. Whatever you do, don't buy a GM or Ford vehicle. They're shite.

Definatly a chick car. Get a Yaris, they're awsome, stylish and cheap.

Not chick car. If you can swing it, get a Cooper S and it's a friggen riot to drive. However, you have to be properly proportioned to own one. I'm 5'8", I look reasonable getting in and out of one. If' you're a six foot something monster man, it'd just look weird.

I think the mini cooper is a hot car... I am attracted to hot cars. In fact, my last three wrecks were because i was straining to watch a nice car drive out of sight...
I'm just kidding, but I do like to car watch and I definately like minis... I suppose this doesnt help my arguement since I'm female, but personal opinion: If the car is shiny and pretty then it makes me happy and I dont judge people by what they drive... unless they drive their car right into mine :)

A car isn't male or female, manly or girly, or whatever.

A car is metal, electronics, and rubber to get you from one place to another. The only thing that matters about each is price & gas mileage.

Sheesh.

Here's what you do.

Buy a mini.
Buy a hummer.
Put the mini inside the hummer.

Voila!

But the mini looks like a toy car.
What's a better expression of manliness than playing with toy cars?

Though, I have to say, the old mini was way cooler.
The new one's almost as big as a Toyota or something.
Guy down my street has two old minis and a mini pickup.
You could fit all three of those in the same parking spot.
THAT is slick.

its a girly vehicle

Actually, Dawnie, the marketing and advertising folks would disagree with you.

For instance, the Hummer was specifically marketed to appeal to the lizard part of our brains. High up. Safe. Menacing to the "other." Look up Clotaire Rapaille and PBS's "The Persuaders."

It seems we have an anthropological disagreement over what "message" the mini is sending us, the consumers. For those that saw and enjoyed The Italian Job (product placement!) then no, it's not a girlie car.

Steve, if the mini could talk, what would it say to you? How do you imagine it's voice? Would it drink beer or wine?

Not a chick car. Plenty of gay dudes drive them. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

NO! Yes. Well...
'NO', only if you get the Mini Cooper S Works, load it up with gold bricks and race through (fictional?) Italian sewers. Half as many points if you do it in the USA or Brazil.
'Yes' if you add a lone (fake?) flower, as in the New Beetle, to the dash and doubly so if you choose the New Beetle over the original as the better of the two.
'Yes' if you don't redline it out of your driveway (or something similar).
'NO' if you think the Golf GTI is a viable option.
'Yes' if GM continues production of the H1...Oh wait...

I know a guy with a mini. What you do is get a custom licence plate frame and put "I drive a Mini. What are you compensating for?"

The fact that before I read the post, I looked at the picture and went "Awww...isn't that cute" unfortunately means yes.

Sorry, dude.

No, it's not a chick car. Short gay guys like it too.

I would say the mini should be reserved for short, 50-year-old british guys but whatever.

Buy a Yaris. Fucking awesome. Any other car sucks.

Ok - I am not quite sure but i think that the mini's in the U.S. are all made over here (UK), if so i would recommend not buying one - i have three friends who work in the factory (in oxford) one enjoys fitting fuseboxes (poorly), another enjoys fitting the hand brakes (poorly) and the last enjoys driving the new cars off the production line and farting in them (that's the new car smell).

So i can't say that they are thick cars but the workforce is pretty thick...

not at all. especially if you get the cooper werks 200+hp supercharged version...looks dont always mean everything...its whats under the hood and how it performs that counts...and frankly, the cooper with the top tier engine is pretty ballsy, and handles like a go'kart on crack

Hell no, the Mini is an awesome car, sticks like shit to velcro, good mileage, impossible to flip and is sexy.

You won't look liek a chick, you'll be picking them up.

Ditch the mini, its a girls car (no really it is).

You need one of these!
http://www.channel4.com/4car/gallery/A/alfa-romeo/brera/brera.html

Perhaps the mini is a new breed of car that doesn't fall under the conventional "girl car" or "man car" but it has created its own car category. Dare we call it a "metro car"???

Yes, please don't even go there. I have a friend who has one and he says he never EVER has any girls say anything else but that his car is "cute". And that hurts the pride a little after awhile.

The New Cooper Mini is as manly as:

•Cold Play
•Making spinach dip in a loaf of bread
•Wearing homemade jeans-shorts
•Watching "Fried Green Tomatoes" or "Beaches"
•Spooning other men
•Aerobics
•Fondue
•Potpourri
•Robbie Williams

. . . but the old ones do rock and are manly.

The new mini is a chick car, its far to cute and curvy.

The old mini though is a car for all, plus its a great british icon too. Too bad most people are far too tall to get in them...

Yes, It is a chick car and doubles as a clown car!

Here in The Netherlands (that's Europe) the typical Mini Cooper driver is a girl or woman 18-29 years old. The cars are paid for by rich daddy's and rich, probably cheating husbands.

Ofcourse there are exceptions. Some Mini Cooper's are driven by employees. These cars have big logo's on them. They are paid for by the company behind these logo's.

Among drivers of this vehicle, it is considered rather dull to pay for your own car. Therefor nobody cares if it's ridiculously small for the money.

Old style Mini = No
New style Mini = Yes

In response to "Pol" I have a Mini and it was not bought by my rich daddy or by a cheating husband.

In response to this poll, mine didn't used to be girly... until I girlied it up. I put butterflies all over mine... but it is very fitting for the car. So maybe they can be described more as metrosexual?

No, Steve, the Ford StreetKa is THE chick car:
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-def/Ford-Streetka-Dress-1600x1200.jpg

Steve,

Since you "have no idea what to get," may I kindly suggest that you at least *consider* a hybrid? Honda has come out with a hybrid Civic, and I believe the Civic was named Motor Trend 2006 Car of the Year. My girlfriend just bought one, and it's a wonderful ride - smooth, quiet, lots of great standard features. Best of all, it's one of the very safest cars on the road.

Let us know what you end up with, whatever it turns out to be..

..and hey, drive safe out there, kid!

I (n^x) the Civic Hybrid.

Or you could import the evil SportKa. I know nothing of the car. The cat commercial sold me on it though.

oh yead....here chick chick chick caaarrrr

i think we'll go out in my 4runner first . . . .

The Mini is no chick car. We own an S convetible and this car rocks. I also own a 56 Chevy Bel Air and have had a Vette and Z28. Ain't nothing gurly about the Mini. Take a test drive and you will fall in love.

No, I dont think so. But to be on the safe side, dont buy it.

When I was in Germany, this was the kind of car the young kids drove around. Guys and girls. They were the hip thing. Of course, that was before they came out in the states. Their pretty cool and pretty safe. I say get one. Anyone that can eat fermented soybeans, spore-filled fungus corn, and silkworm pupas, not to mention make wine from socks does not need to prove his manhood to drive a chicks car. Yup. I say get one, and put the sneeze logo right on the side.

if chick ment midget, then yes.

I would consider the convertible to be a chick's car, but the hardtops are definitely not.

Coopers get great gas mileage, and are a BLAST to drive. However, there isn't much room beyond the front two seats... is that important to you?

Of course, if you're buying the car JUST for you, then I have NO reservations about recommending THIS one:

http://moparmusclemagazine.com/featuredvehicles/p78979_image_large.jpg

Enjoy!

If you ask me only a true man can drive a mini. If your comfortable with your extreme manly-ness then go for it. Much like pink shirts some men think they can get away with it and immediately fail. Steve, you should consider this.

no. go for it.

It depends on the budget in my opinion. Its an affordable car, IF you fit in it. Me for example, beeing over 7 feet, wouldnt be able to drive a mini. I'd go for a BMW z4 if I were you. Ofcourse, its crap ass expensive.

Just check under the hood to see if it has balls.

You've obviously seen the car, you have a picture of it on the site. you introduce me to a man who owns one, i'll introduce you to man who likes a man.

wait a few more months - the mazdaspeed 3 will be out

and it'll kick ass :)

It's a chick car but it comes with an optional motor that's dude-like. Have you seen that movie where Felicity Huffman plays a transgender character? That's what the mini is like: a chick car with balls.

Wow, people's opinions really are fascinating...Steve, darling, hug a tree and buy a hybrid....us EarthFirst! Pussies will be laughing (/crying) when we get to yell a big "Told ya so!!" because the planet floods due to global warming...

Why on earth would you want to pay 30 grand for only 168 horses? Spend that money on an Infiniti G35 coupe.

I have the 6 speed - and nothig beats it's handling or response.

I'm telling ya.

No, the mini cooper is not a chick car. I think they are cute, though. I personally prefer the Mustang!

You can get a Scottish flag on top as well… then you can spend all your time explaining to people that it is a real flag and Scotland is a real country and not just the suburbs of England. And the Scottish flag does nothing to help the fact that the Mini is really a chick car.

By the way… you have kids – aren’t you supposed to be buying a mini-van or an SUV or at least a Volvo wagon? I think it’s the law.

It's like doing the fat chick in high school - fun to ride but you don't want your buddies to catch you riding it.

When you ask if the Mini is a "chick car" you are really asking if you'll be perceived as a homosexual by owning/driving it. What do you care? I mean, really? You like the car? Does it fall within the parameters of what you desire out of an automobile? This societal attitude of what's "girly" and what isn't is extremely tiring and FUCKING FAKE.

Steve:
According to Edmunds latest rankings, these are the top five most chickiest cars.

5. All pink Mary Kay cars
4. VW Beetle
3. Cooper Mini
2. Toyota Rav4
1. Mazda Miata (aka Barbie Corvette)

Stay away from the Miata, and I think you'll be fine.

The Mini-Coop is for chicks or speedo wearers only.

No way! Have you seen the Italian Job? The mini was hot in that movie.

Though my fiance keeps trying to convince me that I need a mini. I think it's so he can drive it whenever he wants, but if anyone questions his masculinty he can say it's his wifes car. :-)

not neccesarily. I live near a semi-professional weightlifter/ ex-marine/ bartender who drives a creme one with a brown top. most manly dude i shall ever meet. with the exceptions of #1 and #3 on Mike's list, its pretty accurate. (miata's are for those undergoing midlife crisis, AND chicks)

Mini Cooper = Chick Mobile

If you get this car, get used to people asking you why you drove the wife's car to work today. Union Jack to add manliness? Have you heard the British accent? Why not just get yourself an ascot while you're at it.

Seriously, I hear these cars are super fun to drive though. Not much HP, but they're super light, so it's like driving a rollercoaster.

No, if you get the Cooper S. And unless you are British or live in Britain, my opinion is you should NOT put a union jack flag on your car. because you're not a fucking Brit.

Hmmm. Certainly debatable. I don't think it is as strongly a chick car as, say, the Cabrio...but it's definately on the fence.

If a dude drove it, it'd be a thin punk hipster that wears "Ramones" tee shirts from Urban Outfitters.

But, of course, should you get one, we fully support your decision.

P.S. I guess I'll just put myself in the ranks of the thousands of others that are always pestering you thusly: "WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO ANOTHER 'STEVE DON'T EAT IT!'?"

No. Here in Virginia I have never seen a woman driving a Mini--it is all men. Young men, but definately male. And they are all employed by Starbucks.

As a guy who drives a mini every chance he gets I have to say thats its a great car for a guy. Expecially if you hate people with rice burners. Mini's that are taken care of will smoke em and leave pissed off drivers in your wake.

If you want to make it more manly, mount machine guns on the damn thing and give it armor plating.

No chance, i want one so its a manly car!

I don't think it's a girly car.

I DO think you should get one of these though.

http://blogs.linux.ie/frankly/images/a-team-smart.jpg

You want a manly car?
What you need is a 96 Nissan with 180,000 miles and a car seat in the back.
The guy that can navigate the Lexus and Hummer infested morning commute in a car like that, and still maintain his pride...that's a man.
Any pencil d!ck can feel manly in something sporty, but a real man checks his ego at the garage door and puts the money away for his kid's college education.

As Austin Powers' dad might say, it's how you use it.

no not at all
i lov the mini

GAY car, therefore a real man’s man car.

Of course it's a chick car, but you also see grown men driving the bumper cars at a fair, don't you? The Mini is like a bumper car. Except you don't really want to crash it. At least if it's yours. But can you imagine a demolition derby full of Minis? Oh yeah!

no is just ugly.....maybe a clown car..lol...

Yes.

The S model...Maybe not. But the regular one, definately.

Men who drive Minis are queer. If you see one, follow him home and poke a hole in one of those tiny go-cart tires. Then get behind it and tip it over, they're only like 35 lbs.

Try turning it over and looking between the rear wheels. If there's a noticible bulge in the center of the axle then it's a boy car.

Uh, yeah... a chick MAGNET car.

Get a Audi A3!

I own a Mini Cooper S...

I was tempted to rationalize the whole question out, talking about how most cars take on the personality of whoever drives it. That's not really my experience with this car, however. Some cars just have a personality - the Mini is definitely one of those cars.

Get the turbo version (The "S") and feel like a kid racing around a go-kart. I've had my Mini for over a year now, and I still have that feeling every single time I drive it.

Just be prepared, because you WILL feel like you're joining a cult. Other Mini owners WILL nod/wave/flash (lights or other) at you when they pass you on the road.

Is it a "chick car"? Absolutely not. Unless you're one of those poor sad types who buy a Hummer because they thought it would cover for their shortcomings.

Now, the VW Beetle... THERE'S a chick car. The thing even comes with a bud vase built into the dashboard, fercrissakes.

Why would any man buy anything esp a car with the name"MINI" in it... not cool dude. I would think twice if a guy I was dating drove up in a mini... you just dont want to associate yourself with anything "mini" not the effect most men are going for..

I donno..... I think as long as you dont get a pink or purple color you will be ok, but can you buy me one even if you dont get one?
Me likey!

Skip the Mini and get a new VW GTI. :P

Midlife crisis is a strange thing. Men get fancy sports cars when they start growing bald and large trucks / SUVs to compensate for small packages. Buying a Mini says, "I'm confident in my manhood and don't need a status quo vehicle!" It also says, "Besides, my penis is huge!"
So, get the Mini, save all the money on gas and tool around like there's no tomorrow. Parking should be a breaze as well.

No.

well, it depends... first. are you getting laid, in the car? second. just where and how are you doing this? [awkward]

Couple more thoughts on the Mini...

As far as the storage is concerned, I am constantly amazed at how much you can fit into the Mini. My wife and I don't have kids, but we do have a dog which is kind of simmilar when you go on trips. We have managed to fit:

*Me
*My wife
*Two Large Suitcases
*One large duffel bag with the dog's stuff
*The dog
*Two pairs of skis and poles
*One large ski bag with all our ski boots, gloves, jackets, etc..

All of this fit INSIDE THE CAR, and I could still use my rearview mirror to see out the back. Nothing on the roof, no towing... all of it inside the car. Obviously, if you have two kids that require you to keep the seats up (We obviously put them down), that might change things for you. But I'm also assuming that you guys already have the requisite broodmobile (something with three rows) and that you're looking for a second car.

If you need a car to haul around the entire clan, then the Mini is probably not your best option. But if you're looking for a second car, it totally rocks. It's a sports coupe that can actually fit the kids and some small bags, or you and the wife plus a whole lot of stuff.

YES, there is the inevitable backlash against something that suddenly becomes hugely popular, but so what? If you drive one, you will have so much fun driving it that you simply won't care what the masses say. And honestly, what's more manly than that?

It's not a chick car. I have confidence in your manliness. Although, if you were thinking of buying a Hummer, that confidence might falter.

minis, beetles, saturns, dodge neons, late 90's mustangs......all chick cars.

How about this one. do only fat chicks drive pick up trucks?

Scratch any of these ideas... go for used 1993 Ford Escort Station Wagon. Teal. Now THAT is a manly car.

Warwick gets it.

If you don't like the MINI or think it's girly then you've never driven one.

And if you've driven one and don't like it then YOU'RE the girly one.

These things will shred in an urban environment like almost nothing else (the MCS is a TOTAL riot).

My wife and I raced one for three years and we absolutely ate up much larger and more powerful cars.

One of the most agile, best handling commuter cars on the planet, and equipped modestly, one of the cheapest cars than can come anywhere close to handling like that for the price (Miata would be another).

Cheers,

-That Guy

I defenately think its a chick car. But, if I saw a guy driving it, I wouldn't think he was gay. I'd just think he was real uppity.

No, not a chick car. But unless you're 4 feet tall, you're probably not going to be all that comfortable in it. Think of the Mini as a return to the womb of sorts.

Abso-freakin-lutely!

It depends on how its put together.

At its core lies vehicle made to appeal to females via the "cute factor."

However, there are so many options that if painted, pimped and um... I'm out of p verbs... right, it can be a sweet ride for anyone.

Yes. Most definitely.

I drive a MINI. Green. And I'm a chick. BUT, it is most frequently driven by my best friend and my brother, both dudes (though my brother's masculinity is questionable). They both love it. As a MINI owner, I would like to say that it's a really great car, engineering-wise.

My chick has one. It's very... cute.

I kind of want to hug her car all the time. So the question is, would YOU feel comfortable in that? Having guys look at you in your car and going, "Awwwww...."?

I'm not going to comment one way or another whether a mini is girly or not, but I will add some fuel to the fire. Check out this guys mini http://www.dpcars.net/ and see if that changes your feelings any.

Why don't you just buy yourself a pair of roller skates instead?

I believe this cars target audience is mid 20's homosexual males.

Ummm, how would you fit a carseat and booster seat in the back plus hockey equipment and a 24 of beer?

Sorry it's too girly for here.

all i have to say - was jason bourne driving one like a chick?

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES

The mini is a girly car. Doesn't matter what modifications you make to it, it is a girly car. If you removed every single part of that car and replaced it with all H2 parts I still wouldn't respect you. Doesn't matter if you get a sweet custom paint job with naked ladies, wizards and barbarians with swords, its still a girly car. I got to/had to drive one for about a week last year and I'm still trying to recover my manhood.

gawd yes it's a chick car! as a chick I can attest to that.

well, a bit.. but you can get away with it, they're awesome

Only if you're heterosexual.

If you saw a guy pull up next to you in one of those things, wouldn't you want to pull him out of the car and make a man of him? - Whatever that implies ...

Penn Gillette drives a Mini Cooper. It's pink. He claims that because he is so huge, he has to drive a car that makes him look slightly wimpy so that he doesn't intimidate people.

It dose not have to be, just "Man it up" a little bit. Ya know, 8 ball shifter, them their spinny hubcap thingermabobs. The mini is a kind of small you may have to go to extream measures on this one, The Jolly rodger, yup rigth on the side or the hood. Now I do'nt know if this works for cars or not, but they worked wonders on my motorcycle. Saddlebags, or as I call them ExoScorts. Short awnsr is Yes, form the factory they are chik cars, yet they do not have to stay that way.

More fuel to the fire:

Reading through the comments so far, some people seem to think ugly=manly and well designed=girly. Case in point: Hummers, duallys, other big trucks, Mustangs - all manly. Definitely not the vehicles I'd be caught driving (except maybe the Shelby Mustang Cobra). Curves and shiny surfaces - girly. Consider however, any number of exotic supercars (well designed with beautiful shiny curvy surfaces as a rule). Take for example, the McLaren F1 (also a British car). It's compact and pretty, but has 600+ hp, set a world excelleration record, and has a top speed well over 200 mph. Girly? I think not. To me, the Hummer says "I like anything that makes me look macho and prefer dumb brute force to smarts and finesse." In fact, I almost think the more feminine the shape of the car, the more manly the guy driving it. It's like the guy with a hot model wife; you don't question his manliness.

Yeah tha mini cooper seems somewhat for nancys. If you're going with a compact vehicule though I recommend tha new Honda Civic Hybrid. That thing is super sweet and it qualifies for rolling through carpool lanes by yourself.

I only ever see guys driving them but I'd have thought they would be chick cars.

I know several middle-aged women driving Minis. And I've seen many middle-aged men driving them around town. All in all, I think its more of a middle aged persons car then a chick car. Although they are pretty girly. They're not very family friendly either. If you want a compact family friendly car, go with the Mazda 3 three door. Manly, fast and big enough for the kids!

Definitely a chick car, but whose going to analyze these comments? Seems to me that most girls are saying it's a chick car while the guys are saying no, so it may depend on why you care. There was never a car so "chick" as the Mazda Miyata, but I don't think I ever saw anyone but men driving them. These cars do say to the world. "the man driving this car does not care about the size of his penis" but when his back is turned it says "because he hasn't used it in 12 years."

And just to clear something else up, "Italian Job" was a pretty good movie. I think those who are saying that it's great are getting it confused with "Snatch."

"cg": still trying to recover your manhood? The mini wasn't your problem.

My mom has a mini, her's is chicked-out... with flowers and hanging dangly things. But the mini, especially the cooper-s has some serious power and if its a comfortable car for you, it's a good choice.

If any dude driving a mini tried to get out and road-rage me, I'd be scared... he's probably tough enough to kick my ass all the way to the United Kingdom.

if it doesn't have anything between the tires, yes, it's a girl

yes, the mini is a chick car. I'm a chick. I'm getting that car. All the people I see driving the car are chicks. =D
but it doesn't make you any less cool/manly if you get it!

Yes.No.Maybe....It depends what you think I mean it takes a man to drive a woman car to take the stick but the mini does have something delicously girly about it......As long as you don't get a pink one, Your Fine. Otherwise your a man wanting to be a chick, trying to pick up chicks or...gay..or you love pink. There's my 50 cent's worth!

no - it's good for the gays too!

If you get it in a manly color.. such as black silver or any other dark color...no

however buying it in yellow, orange, baby blue, or ANY pastel color.....yes! girly to the max!

plus lets look at the up-side, you'll always have a place to park, smaller cars are less likely to get tickets (i drove a 73 vw bug and always speed never got a ticket once) i think its because cops think u look like ur going faster cuz ur in a little car but they dont think you are speeding, better gas milage, plus they just look cool I say go for the Mini test drive one see how it feels

If it's good enough for Michael Caine in The Italian Job, it's good enough for me. You have to get the super-charged model though... just becasue it's cool.

Just had a thought... I know... not my strong suiit.

Which is more girly - driving the girly car or being driven by the girl or girly-guy who own the girly car?

And yes, I still think the Mini is girly even though I want to drive one when no one is looking. Just to see how it handles, of course.

Im a chick and I live near a military base. I've seen some of the guys on base driving minis around. It's kinda hot. There is something about a guy with a sense of style as opposed to the dichotomy of the pickup-truck-meathead. Go for it - you'll pick up intelligent chicks.

NO!

I'm a girl and most recently decided to look into purchasing a MINI. After sharing the news with my guy friends, they replied "You're gay." So not only is it a chick car, but one that makes you a homosexual.

Well, Steve, I guess you could just get some of these to go under the bumper.

My Lord, they have veins. VEINS!

What, no linkage allowed? Damn. Fine. Make me spell it out and spoil the surprise.

http://www.nutsfortrucks.com/

Go for it

I don't think it' a girl car, but it's not very cool. Get something big, but not a Hummer.

good lord no.
my current partner recently baught a smart car...
in my opinion, he should own something that can fit a smart car in the truck bed.
nothing chick worthy about a mini.

Speaking as an authority on the matters at hand, the new Mini is indeed a "gay" car. Driving one will give other motorists the impression that you are a homosexual, or possibly a female. However, this does not apply to the original Mini. If you were to locate and purchase a 1977 Mini Cooper, this would only serve to convince pedestrians and motorists alike that you rock.

Not girly at all, my only concern would be the kids. If you wanted one, I would wait to see what develops with the Mini Traveller, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10992248/, Theoretically you maybe able to fit two small children in the back.

Not gay at all.

Sincerely,
Gay Life Magazine - presenter of the "Best Twinkmobile" award for cars

http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayproductreviews/tp/gaycars.htm

Best Twinkmobile
2006 Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper is annoyingly small to some, but simply irresistible to others. The cult classic from the BMW group means fun for anyone who sits behind the wheel (and passengers too). The Mini may look tiny on the outside, but there is a surprising amount of depth on the inside. Thanks to it's great handling, fast engine and fun ride, the Mini Cooper is our Best Twinkmobile winner.

PS - I honestly have no idea what that means, but it makes me laugh to say "twinkmobile", which is really all that matters.

No...it's a "man who has so much money he doesn't know what to do with it and is having a midlife crisis so why not buy a car so unnecessary and so tiny he can't fit anything in it besides himself and possibly a short hooker in the passenger seat on a bad night" car. They're cute, but you're better than that...I think.

One person said that it was like Hitlers car...Hitler's car was a volkswagon.
btw the mini isnt a chick car, but a vw beetle is

get a Subaru.

If you have to ask, that means you have doubts. If you have doubts, that means you will always be a little insecure about it. Insecure men are weenies. Don't buy it.

It SCREAMS chick car. Sorry.
Get a honda civic with spinner rims

Dear everyone,

Just what exactly is wrong with being a chick? It's evidently the worst thing in the world ever to be associated in any way with laydeez.

chicks are hot, for one thing, and for another - IT'S 2006 PEOPLE - free yourselves from gender roles, and do whatever you want! and whatnot.

Steve, my boyfriend was going to get one of the new mini's, but decided agaisnt it because of the same reason. If I were you, I would go with one of the New Jetta's (which we got) or if you don't car about gas a Jeep Grand Cheeroke.

Good Luck! Dani

Sort of.

On one hand, it looks a bit chick-like.

On the other hand, if you get the S it's a beast. Goes fast, feels faster, corners like a demon.

The editors of several popular car magazines own these and swear by them. Some of the most knowledgeable car guys around.

That said, I'm not too keen on owning one myself. But I'd love to date a girl with one and steal it on weekends.

Of course, it isn't a fraction the chick car a Hummer H2 is. Or most SUVs.

Way manlier than the H2. The H2 screams overcompensating soccer mom. The mini screams both "I'm a cute 20-something girl" and "I'm a guy that loves a car that drives like a dream."

Yes!

I've never understood the concept of "guy car" vs "chick car." I see plenty of women driving big trucks and SUVs these days. Does that mean they're now chick cars? Seriously, pick a car because it has the features you need or want, not because you think it projects a certain image.

Personally, I think the Mini Coopers are well-balanced driving machines, with amazing handling and a decent power-to-weight ratio (especially the Cooper S). There's a very healthy segment of owners that tune and race them, so anyone that refuses to buy one because they think it's a "chick car" has their head stuck somewhere really uncomfortable.

It's a teenager chick car.

Not if you paint a pair of balls on the hood.

Are some of you people for real? I guess that if your idea of a "manly" car is something that they used in the latest "Fast and the Furious" movie, then yeah, you probably won't get the Mini.

And at the risk of starting a war... I just have to ask this: Spinning rims? WTF? That's got to be the stupidest car accessory since those godawful neon runner lights. "Oh, look, my car's so fast its a UFO! It floats on this crazy alien purple light!"

If you dig that look, then no, the mini isn't for you. If you dig a car with some serious muscle and torque that looks like a REAL car instead of a matchbox toy, then the MCS is the car for you.

Nope....at least the cooper S isn't. Fast and fun. You'll be fine with silver, grey or black as manly colors

Nope. Jeremy Clarkson and the Stig on TopGear like it - so it must be good!

Now if it was PINK...

Mine will be Purple, with a matching fluffy steering wheel cover, and perhaps throw cushions on the back seat...
:D

This is one of those questions that, for real men, is very easy to answer.

Anytime in life you have to ask yourself if something you are doing is too girly, the answer is YES IT IS. Because if you think it is possible, a certain percentage of guys out there will think it is too. And real men are too thin skinned to let ANY guy think they are girly.

It's tough to be a guy. We can't listen to Abba or Air Supply in public, we can't cry at non-sports themed movies, and we can't drive Minis (or Miatas or that girly BMW that I don't even know the name of because it is too girly for me to even have to know about it).

Sorry, man. I don't make the rules, I just follow 'em.

Yes. It is a chick car.

Gotta agree with Joe. As nice as these are - weren't they bought out by BMW? - If you have to ask, then they are. Still, pretty cool though, eh? Cheers.
Bill
Hamilton, Bermuda

Yes, yes it is. Although a lot of guys drive them, those guys are either gay or British. Not that I have a problem with gays, but assuming that since you have kids and a wife, you don't want to come off as gay. Or British.

There's a great viral ad for Mini in the UK right now. The car's not selling well to men and they're trying to fix that. The ad is awesome. Make sure to click on the link on the bottom and personalize it for yourself or your husband/boyfriend (to non-Steves). It's hilarious. Here's the link:

www.aveaword.com

enjoy.

The dealers are trying to make it one, yes.

Dude get the new Toyota Yaris totally cool (not to mention manily) car

Chick car? Depends on the chick. Chick magnent? Most definitely.

Steve,

My mom has one, so I would say Yes it is a chick car. Unless you get the Mini Cooper S, which is definitely a man's car. The difference is the supercharger and the 6 speed transmission. If you get an automatic, then any car is a chick car!

I'd refrain from getting one simply due to the fact that it was used in the Italian Job. That movie was horrible. But speaking more logically, my brother-in-law has one and he's in the military, so I'm thinking it's not very manly, but if you're secure enough to drive a more feminine car... go for it.

My personal opinion is to get a Jeep Wrangler, cause Jeeps freakin' rule. And on the subject of those numbnut mini drivers waving and shit to each other, they're a bunch of posers. The wave to similar vehicular devices originated with the motocycle and the Jeep, which I might add are the only two vehicles with enough reason to do it. They both have very obvious and well-defined communities, the Jeep mostly because we have a freakin' camp that we can go to to drive our jeeps through crazy courses.

My opinion - don't bother with the mini and definitely do not get a Scion, cause those are ugly as hell.

Regular Cooper - Yes (my wife has one).

Cooper S (turbocharged) - No.

Then again, the car Charlize drives in "the Italian Job" is an "S".

Regardless - they are great cars! I highly recommend it.

if you're worried about your Manliness, the Mini will make it look bigger.

really, though - if you have to ask, you haven't driven one yet!

best. car. ever.

Brother's wife owns one. Fun to drive. Only manly in the S model, without the stupid British flag on top. Get it all one color if you are going to get one. Be warned, they are a BMW, and expensive to get worked on. Brother's wife's car is having serious problems. Get a Honda S2000, bad-ass quotient of 971.6.

Can't you see the obvious ... look at the front grill ... if that's not vagina lips I see then I don't know what is.

In regards to the Jeep, the only manly Jeep is a Rubicon, regular wheel base, 6-speed manual. All others are posers.

Largest automobile club for any single model of vehicle is Miata. Best value for the money. Lots of torque. Inexpensive parts. funnest car on the road.

But get a Jeep Rubicon, there is no manlier car.

Absolutely not! Mini's are awesome! One of the best performing cars on the road, and damn good looking, too. Y'all are crazy if you think they're chick cars...

my sociology teacher drives a mini, shes a woman. her husband drives it occasionally. hes kinda quiet and.. subserviant. anyways.. i think it can totally be a dude car if you make it one. if youre british, can pretend to be british, can bench upwards of 400 pounds, have a supermodel wife, or has the name of steve. any of those can make one manly enough to drive a mini.

plus, you can laugh at all of the suckers in suv's when you can use your gas money for better things.

I hope not. I want one.

The other issue is whether or not it makes sense for a dad like you... nowhere to put any of the crap one needs to haul around when you got two kids.

Minis fucking rock. Unisexually safe.

i think this may make up your mind:

the girl i tutor, a five feet one gymnast in ninth grade with a penchant for pink and ballet clothes, thinks it's the cutest car ever and wants it for her sixteenth birthday. and she wants it in blue.

hee hee hee heee. how funny.

a guy who drives a mini would come off as classy

a woman who drives a mini seems kind of evil/sexy/powerful business woman

It's whatever you want it to be. Paint it all crazy and people will love it no matter what type of car it is (even if it is really a girl car).
OR, have people pay you so they can paint a section of the car. You can charge a heck-of-a-lot of money so you can pay for the car itself and probably make a nice profit and get a manly car later.
It's a win-win.

It's a gay-guy car. or a hipster scene guy.

I would assume the driver owned an ipod, and every other new, trendy gadgets that have come out and wears overpriced clothes.....

wait...it think what im saying is that it is a car for consumer whores who buy things the media tells them to.

No, it's just damn cool. The older styles are even cooler, though there's pretty much no way to buy one in the US.

Man people get soooooo sensitive when you harsh on their favorite car . . . reminds me of mac users (hehehe).

No way. There is no way that a mini could carry enough luggage.

LADIES MAN ON WHEELS

It's not necessarily "chick" but it's definitely metrosexual. Be prepared to put wax in your hair and wear a pink polo shirt with the collar up if you buy this car.

The car is not, but the question is. Do you think it will make you look fat too?

Yes, yes it is.

- A girl that owns a mini.

Nah, I think that Volkswagen Jettas and Mazda Miatas are the only real hardcore chick cars.

Not a chick car. A MAN's cas. Check this ad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R9jy9zR32g

My advisor, in the Forestry Department at Virginia Tech, drives one. He is a mountian boy from PA and spent some good time in Montana. And he's a card carrying member of the NRA to boot. Is the Mini a chick car, probably not (though I may say otherwise about the convertible), but let me ask you a question...is the Mini a FAMILY car?

Maybe. Depends on the color.

And add some machine guns just to be safe.

why yes, yes it is. The mini was in fact designed for masculine lesbian women with extremely bad taste. The mani however, is also equipped to transport men who either enjoy techo and wearing their hat sideways, or have delapidated fang teeth.

YES!!

Yes!
It's gay-er than a fucking bag of penises.

It may be a chick car, it's fer sure not a FAT chick car (like the Tracker, which is the fat girl version of the Jeep.)

A *real* chick car is one that shows the girl that a man can make reasonable and realistic decisions. A mini, or other sporty types, usually just scream to women "I'm going through a mid-life crisis," or "Why yes, I'm desperate," or "My pee pee is wee wee."

I'm afraid women just aren't as into vehicles as men so they don't look for style but sensibility.

Well they say a car is an extension of a man's manliness.

By far, any man caught driving this surely must squat to pee...

i saw one of those with a hockey rink painted on the roof! totally playoffs!
go with a theme on the roof, and it would be killer!

I think the ginat vagina under the spare tire is a bit of a give-away.

*cough* Gay *cough*

Make sure the mirror is big enough to put your makeup on Steve.

i would have to say no, although i have seen some pretty chicky minis. but then again i've seen some pretty chicky 18-wheelers too....haha....
maybe they're just manly and the chicks want to look tough in their ride...
but minis rock, go for it

If you have to ask, you already know the answer.

I wouldn't say it is.. mabye in America though.. in Europe they look awsome.. but here.. eh.. not so good in comparison. .

If anyone chanenges you just say you have gold bullion in the trunk.

Heck, toss that away and try to sqweeze into a "Smart Car" you will feel manly after that experience. ;)

Word has it that a mans vocal range will increase after driving one of these babies.

If its the old mini its fine. The new ones suck as, they're made my BMW and are a very girly car

If you get one I won't be the gayest guy in the Los Angeles area.

I don't think it looks like a chick car... but it doesn't exactly scream hetero...

Now way dude, nothing wrong with a Mini. As long as it isn't pink, you're good to go.

It's not a chick car at all.

Lots of perfectly respectable (albeit unusually gay) men drive them. They drive them to bathhouses. They drive them to dog shows. They drive them to their local community theater. And they look fabulous in them.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I forgot to metion earlier - If you do buy a MINI, please realize that you will not so much be purchasing a car as joining a cult. I was not aware when I bought mine, so was a little startled when they sent me a "motoring" journal and some "motoring" bingo cards. I also received two boxes of "MINI-mints". I love my car, but these people are kinda weird. Just sayin.

I'm back.

Let's put it this way. I'm female. And I like guys that drive Minis.
Nice cars, decent speed, expensive - shows flair, taste and cash.

That's good for me! :D

Mind you, I am English.

the more i think about it, the more I agree with the guy who suggested just getting a bike. If a car is beginning to define who you are, and you like that "is he , or isn't he" european look, then you should just go balls out cyclismo. spandex pants, tight jerserys, nice Bianchi or Colnago bike, AND you get to shave your legs, and the chicks think your even HOTTER for it, since it means your a cyclist. plus that whole saving the environment crap too! Just look at Ivan Basso... he'd never drive a mini. and besides my signifigant other, he's the coolest, hottest guy I've ever seen.

Personally, I don't think it's that relevant of a question. More relevent questions would be:

1. Do you like driving it?
2. Do you feel comfortable in it?
3. Do you like the way you look in it?
4. Is there a very strong desire to own this car?

Other's opinions don't matter that much if you answer in the affirmative to the above questions. You could Drive a 1965 Fugly Piece-a-crap (a very hard car to find, I might add), but if you're lovin it like McDonalds, then it's all good.

Steve, It doesn't really matter if it is a man or woman driving this car. Just so long as that man or woman....is a yuppy.

Not a chick mobile, just depends on whether you're mini-material. My bf is british but NOT mini material, he's a rugby-style guy, too big for the car. A built compact guy would carry it off well ;)

Speed + Reliability + Performance = Mini Cooper S

I paid $24K for my Mini (fully loaded) and have had no problems in the two years I have owned it - except for a rattle in the dash.

If you have to ask this question, don't buy one - we do not want you as a Mini owner!!!

Yes.

I see them pulled behind RV's ... do i need to go any further ?

Get a Mustang or a Challenger

mini = old ass

plus your son will get teased

I've always said I would cheat on my husband if I met a man with a mini

....car that is

I like the Mini...I wouldn't say it was a chick car, but I would say most men who drive them are nerds.(no wonder I like them) I wouldn't buy one for 25k though. You know how many demonic lemons I could buy with that kind of cash?!

I would say no... under a few conditions. First, you have to get the Works Mini... none of this standard model or "S" crap. Step two: drive the $#!7 out of it.

All of this talk about "It's not a chick car if you're secure when you drive it" is asinine. What, do chick cars not exist? Counterexample: The pink Mary Kay car. I don't care if you're built like Schwarzenegger and fresh off your third tour in Iraq. If you drive that car, you are advertising free blowjobs for any sailor that comes along.

And I don't want to hear anything about Clint Eastwood in "Pink Cadillac". That film was made by his evil twin, Blint Westwood, just like "Paint Your Wagon" and "The Bridges of Madison County."

i don't think the mini is a chick car or a guy's car, i think it's a dumb car. it is the silliest looking car on the planet, including clown cars. it's impractical, and anyone driving it puts an image to the phrase "tooling around". I can barely stomach the PT Cruisers, and these are like really small, bad PT Cruisers.

Chick car? Guy car? IT'S UGLY!! Does it matter who drives it? It's still ugly!
On the other hand, it's insanely comfy inside. Like, insanely. As much as I hate the outside, it's awesome inside.

I drive a Yaris, parking it is actually pleasurable, and filling it up with gas is practically sexually gratifying *drool* (40L tank to fill up no more than twice a month even if you drive everywhere always?).
Think the Mini is friendly on gas?

It wouldn't be a chick car if you cut off the back and put in a flatbed, jacked it up off the ground about 3 feet, put decent wheels on it and called it a truck.

Dude...it's a car.

What do you have against chicks anyway?

The Scion xA is a horrid little car. It's just plain ugly. At least the Mini has a little bit of style. The xA reminds me of a rollerskate.

The Scion tC, on the other hand, is awesome. Even though I'm a chick, I can see a guy pulling it off. And for $16K, you get a Camry engine!

(I have the 2005 limited edition model with a stick and leather interior, so I'm a little biased.)

it's practically a vagina on wheels.

DO IT! DO IT! DO IT!

Honestly, my MOM raves about getting one some day. My brother liked the test drive, but wouldn't go any further than that.... I think they're damn sexy, but couldn't really picture a manly man driving one. What ever floats your boat!

New Minis are for chicks and posers, get an old style Mini.

It's not a chick car, but stuff like break jobs and tires and such are really expensive. Friend of mine is trying to sell hers now because of a 3000+ repair bill for things like tries, breaks, power steering, etc.. that have gone out in the last year.

No. Its sooooooooooooo COOL! I love it and so dose my boyfriend (Who owns one) Yeah!

I've always thought of the Mini as a car for tiny people. I guess using that logic the girliest car for me would be a Hummer.

Hmmm. If you want a sensible car, go with the toyota camry. If not, go with whatever looks pretty.

It just depends on how you make it look. Just dont go painting it lame colors.

If its a manual its going to be more manly, but if its an automatic its definatly a chick car. Thats my stance on most small sporty cars.

Loomis said:

"If you drive that car, you are advertising free blowjobs for any sailor that comes along."

What more is there to say

no bloody way! no matter wot people with small penises say a mini is all man brother!

Sigh.

Not a chick car. I can bet most of the people saying it is have no idea what kind of a beast the Mini can be.

Steve, get a MINI Cooper S with the John Cooper Works package on it and tear up the road. 214 supercharged HP.

I hear they also offer sex changes when you purchase a mini.

Save yourself the money. Just lop of ya wedding tackle yourself

If you decide on a mini, You better get used to wiping Cum off your chin

No way - these little suckers are terrifyingly fast and handle like they're on rails. It's only a chick car if you drive it like one, dude.

ya

chicks wont have anything to do with ya if ya have a mini....people who say size doesnt count are oriental

If you have to ask and it gives you that not-so-sure feeling...are you really gonna feel manly in it? I don't think so. Better off with an El Camino.

No,

Get the JCW package and it boosts performace to around 200hp. Doesn't sound like much but the car is fast as hell with how light it is. Also, I'd recommend any subaru. In colorado we live and die by them. We're also a bunch of granola eating, gun toting hippies, but I hear California is pretty similar in that regard. Either way, good luck!

did anyone other than myself find someone named brian calling another a fag....rather comical

forget the car and invest the money in sexcounciling....youve got some real identity problems...by the way..what are you doing tomorrow night

You're married -- what difference does it make?

total vag-mobile

I'm gonna have to agree here; Minis are total chick cars. In fact, I have been known to blatantly mock individuals of the male persuasion that I see driving a Mini. Either they're small and girly enough to sit in it comfortably, or they're hunched over the wheel like Lurch.

Even the new Mini Coopers are chick cars - they're like the 21 century teenagers of the 60s hippie mom. Cooler, but still pansies at heart....

It's not a question of genitals, it's how you use them.

ok, so the mini may be a chick car, but around here, in my part of the US, the only time i see mini's are when there's a guy driving one, or i'm driving past the dealership.

however, if you're looking for a more "manly" compact car, Scion tc, Mitsubishi Eclipse or Lancer Evo VIII, Toyota Celica, or that new Chevy thing that looks identical to an Eclipse.

and if you want a car that's great on gas, go to Toyota, or find yourself and old Nissan Pathfindder from before 1995. my friend has one, and it has amazing mileage, like 20mi to the gallon

I want to see a picture of the guy who says the mini is a "ladies man on wheels".................... meaning the car gets more ass from the ladies than you do...?

i don't think it's a ladies car...my partner and i have one...

Hmmm. Not a chick car per se, but not a car to get (it's based on old technology). For my money I'd go with a Prius. :-)

yes

depending on the color...but yes. especially if your not brittish

No its not

You can always add some nuts to the mini after market!!

here's the website where they sell them:

http://www.nutsfortrucks.com

THERE!!! PROBLEM SOLVED!

gee that car is almost small enough to eat.
steve, i think you should eat it.

the way i see it if barbie drives one then it's a chick car but DONT put a gay ass union jack on the top the p[ossibly the gayest thing you could do if your going to do anything paint it all up like they didto the old hippy vans you could put a could cult cd cover picture on top that would be cool

My big brother drives one but so does his wife. It's not as much a chick car as a Beetle or a Miata but it's close. If you were to try to run a nun over, be careful some of them are pretty tough and may drag you out of your chick mobile a bitch slap you.

No, this car is most certainly not a "chick" car. Although the S4 does make this look like a "prepubescent boy" car...

Yes, its a womans car.

WE NEED MORE "STEVE, DON'T EAT IT"!!!!!!!!

'Tis a car that you will practice explaining. It will make you happy driving, awkwardly righteous filling, and retarded fixing. You will be Teh Man once you keep it for a year the give it to your kid sister.

chick car , not a chick car

the real shame is the fucking thing is british !

LOL!!! High five KEB! High five from the Irish side!

Well if a car really is an extension of a man's...you know, then what would a mini car be saying?

I used to own a mini, over here in britain, they are mostly used for young men that just start driving.

The new mini is girly, the old one (from the Italian Job) wasn't.

I may not know what a URL is, but I do know that a Mini (especially the Cooper S) is not a girls car.

I had one for quite a while and loved it to bits. Be warned though they are changing the model next year (supposedly a new front and rear) so it will 'old' within 12 months though residual value should hold on the better models (Cooper S, Works, Cabrio)

If you want fun but safe fun get one mate.

Keb,

Since when has BMW been British? you moron.

Looks like the Irish have had too much Guiness and too little oxygen at birth again.

After doing extensive research (ie asking a few people around the office) we've come to the conclusion that the BMW Mini is not a girly car. It won 6blokey, to 4girly.

Although, it does depend on the colour (sorry, color). If you have black, then definately blokey, but pink is not gonna look quite so masculine.

And please don't even think about a convertable, it's an injustice to the heaven that is the Mini.

Get a Hummer. All the stars have one, and Steve, you're a star! (although you could go green and get a hybrid, tis the future)