I wondered if my mother was going to give me grief for buying, of all things, a MINI. She hated my choice in vehicles. First car was a GMC Jimmy, a real gas-guzzler. I upraded slightly to a Jeep Cherokee and kept it for almost 11 years (including the five years my dad had it). I think I beat out everyone in the family for having the oldest vehicle. One day, I had to take it in for repairs and the mechanics told me my Jeep was probably going to bite the dust in another 2-3 years. I made the mistake of not hiding the repair bill. Let's say it was in the $2-300 range. My dad found it and went ballistic. He forced me to sell the Jeep. I got a Dodge Intrepid. I think that was a mistake. Although reliable, it felt like it cost $2 to make. It just felt CHEAP. Finally, I got my Clubman. I can't believe it won my parents over at last. Mom thought it was a cute car. My dad didn't complain about it either. I've read tons of online stories from others about how their parents and friends reacted:
one owner's father asked him why he bought a "woman's car"
another said a male friend asked him if he was gay!
and another said his friends asked if he was becoming a metrosexual!

So, how did your parents/friends react when you came home in your new MINI?

 

I didn't really ask anyone for an opinion about my car.. I like it though. Some other people told me that they liked it too.

 

My Dad drives a 335ci...and he keeps trying to steal my car

My friends sometimes give me grief, but then they take a ride in it/I burn their car when we go for drives, and the gripes stop. Though I must admit the gay/metro/woman's car comments have slowed down since I blacked out most of the chrome.

 

My mother gave the usual reaction.

"What are you, made of money? You have so many expenses. You shouldn't buy that. What if you lose your job?"

I should add that I have no debt (other than mortgage) and haven't bought a car in 9 years.

<3 my Mom!

 

Thanks for asking. My parents/friends aren't ignorant bigots, so they didn't question my masculinity or sexuality based on a car.

 

OHHHH....this is MINIs are gay/feminine thread? OK, I'll try again! Thanks minicooperwill!

 

Yes, its one of those, although the OP thinks that other people are bringing up what he started.

 

So I told my parents I was buying a MINI, and it went something like this:

Me: "Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you. I'm going to buy a MINI."

Mom: "I don't believe you. I had no clue you were a girl."
Dad: "We love you, son. And we'll support you in this."

Me: "No clue? What are you talking about. I've always been a girl...remember the big "FEMALE" on my birth certificate? How do you explain all the skirts and dresses?! All girls school?? HELLO?!?"

Mom: "Children don't really remember things correctly, you're imagining it."

Me: *sigh*

 

Classic! Awesome post, Zari!!

 

Thanks!

I think there a lot of things one could say in analyzing the psyche of people who are into the whole "chick/gay car" discussion thing. Inferiority complex? Revenge of the nerd? Misogyny? Homophobia?

Perhaps. Definitely there's something of the last two in these discussions.

But really, it's David vs. Goliath. Everyone hates a bully. Everyone loves the underdog.

So (male) persons rejoice in their personal "Yeah, and he called me a girl* and I dusted him in my MINI!" story.



*girl = second-class citizen; SEE MISOGYNIST

 

both my parents were fine with it, they both trust that im responsible. i basically got mine to earn credit, and because i wanted a mini.

 

No reaction from my parents, they both died over 10 years ago

Little to no reaction from my friends, they are dead, dying, or senile.

My kids think I've slipped into my 2nd childhood.

MY GRANDCHILDRE LOVE IT!!

 

My parents didn't say anything. They're both dead.

I don't think either would have complained. Dad drove a Citroen DS21, and bought an Austin America for my brother when he was 16.

 

My dad killed me but I raised from the dead. Jesus drives a MINI.

 

LOL
Invite our parents to a PFLAG meeting or is it PFMO Parents, Family, Friends of MINI Owners

 

I really thought my students were going to give me grief when I got my first MINI. I taught at a very rural school district here in Arkansas. Our 6-12 population was about 300 students total. Hell, a student drove his tractor to school on more than one occasion because it was "easier than going back home and getting the truck"!! To tell you just how rural we're talking....

Honestly though, my students loved my car, even the biggest bubbas. Most would ask me to race them, or how fast I had gotten it, etc. I always said I would race them but only if it involve curves. No one ever took me up on the offer.....

Now that I teach at another school district that's not quite as rural but still pretty redneck, I'll be curious to see how my students respond to my car. They seem to like the GTi but it arguably isn't quite as...cute...as the MINI.

 

My in-laws don't like my mini. They thought it was irresponsible of me to buy such a small car when I have a 5 year old daughter. Of course, neither one of them actually took the time to look at the interior before they formed their opinion (and they still haven't). My mother in law thought it was a 2 seater, lol.

Doesn't really matter though...my wife, daughter and I love the mini!

 

My friends love it, and I'm too old to care what my parents think (haven't coordinated a purchase with them for 30 years).

 

When I took my 94 year old father for a ride in my 2002 MCS he thought the ride was too hard. He liked the ride of his Saturn better. I told him that was good, because I wasn't going to let him drive my MINI.

As for other peoples silly questions, "Are you gay? Why did you buy a girls car? I just tell them that I am not compensating for anything.

 

A little back ground, I came from the Land of the Bow Tie, First car was a Monte Carlo 400 s.b., I have over 3 million miles on commercial transport, my daily driver is a full size gmc ext cab, then I bought a MINI. Friends thought i lost my mind till i took them for a ride... enough said!

 

Great showing of elitism there! Was there a lot of smug in the air in CA today?

 

Thanks for missing the point. I just get a little frustrated when every couple of days there is a new thread that makes a reference to the MINI being either a "gay" car or a "chick's" car. Supposedly this thread isn't one of them, although the OP does include the following:

one owner's father asked him why he bought a "woman's car"
another said a male friend asked him if he was gay!

So tell me, who besides the ignorant and/or bigoted would even think such a thing?

I would also like to apologize to you for stating what my parents and friends are not. I guess I must be ignorant because I don't see how that is elitist or smug. If you are offended because you feel my post besmirched the integrity of the ignorant and bigoted, my humblest apologies. I'll try to be more delicate in consideration of your sensitivities.

 

Put me down in the "I don't care what others think" column too. I drive what I want, period.

I also don't feel the need to educate those who don't understand the car. If they're genuinely interested I'm happy to spend all day talking about my car, but if they're giving me attitude, I don't have time for them, sorry.........

 

I feel the same way.

I didn't even mention I got a new car to my coworkers or acquaintances that I know aren't interested in cars. I really don't care for their opinion. All my close friends and family seem to really love it though (especially my dad). But I wouldn't care even if they all hated it!

 

PEOPLE WHO SAY MINI'S A GAY CAR, RIDES THE SHORT BUS