[cowtown]

So we had a party at my house this weekend, and one of my wife's co-workers showed up with her husband and his newish Mini Cooper "S". It was a cute car, with metallic blue paint, ralleye lights and white racing stripes. He asked me if I wanted to test drive it.

I hardly ever accept offers like this, because using other peoples' property doesn't feel right to me. A friend-of-a-friend once wanted me to drive his 996 Twin Turbo (with the X50 tuning package, of course), and I politely declined. But I really wanted to try the Mini for some reason.

So off we went, and headed out to the 2-mile loop of farm roads that I test my 911s out on after I fix somthing. "Open it up," he said, "it's past the break-in period and it really pulls after 3500 RPM."

I was short-shifting at 4K RPM and taking it easy on the sweeping curves, doing about 35 MPH on turns that I take at 60+ in the Porsche. It was a nice, low-key ride, and the owner and I were having a casual conversation the whole time. The Mini feels good, corners flat, and is short about 50 horsepower.

Then, after we got back, I overheard the guy talking to his wife. "We were going soooo fast...through the curves...I though we were going to...."

I felt bad. I didn't want to make him feel like I was not respecting his property, or putting anyone at risk. And honestly, we were driving at maybe 50% of the car's capability.

I guess it's a matter of perspective. Do we 911 drivers just get so used to the speed and handling that we take it for granted?

I'm going to invite the guy to the track next time I go to a DE.