While I'm still very much interested in the MINI Convertible, and am still going to test drive it on Sunday, I "again" have a dilemma.

My parents confrtonted me yesterday and basically said that even though it has excellent crash ratings, they don't feel comfortable letting me commute in such a tiny car. My mom really wants me to get one of these new re-designed 2005 Volvo S40's.

So, me and my dad went and looked at them last night, and I have to say, I was very impressed. This thing is a LOT of car for the money. My dad now loves it too. So now, both my parents are pushing the S40 on me. I am going to test drive it on Sunday, along with the MCC. I guess I'll have to see which I like better.



So, I dunno, what do you guys think?

 

I like the S40 a lot.

Onto the important stuff.. the MINI is an extremely safe car. I was in an accident a few months ago with my first Cooper. The other car was a Ford Ranger. My MINI was totaled, but I walked away with nothing more than a few bruises. Of all the reasons to not get a MINI, don't let safety be the one. I don't know if pictures would help convince your parents, but if they would, I'd be happy to share...

 

I test drove one of those when they first came on the market and hated it. Boring car, boring ride. I bought my Audi A4 instead and have absolutely loved it. I imagine the new 2005 S40 is sportier and peppier but it is still a boring volvo (owned by Ford by the way: Warning!). I would never buy a Volvo ever. My boring parents have two of them. If your parents like Volvo then let them own them. Take your parents to a Mini meet. The enthusiasm of all the members should convert them instantly.

 

The two cars (old and new S40) have absolutely nothing in common. Just an FYI, one of the major auto magazines did a sport sedan comparo a few months ago between the Audi A4, Subaru Impreza, Volvo S40 T5, and Acura TSX.

The A4 came in last, the Volvo came in second. The Acura won, but they do nothing for me.

 

Talk about apples and oranges, man!

 

I know, MINI convertible to 4 door sedan...

But seriously, I found a volvo forum kinda like NAM, and at least 3 people on there said "hey, I really wanted a MINI too, but ended up buying an S40."

So evidently more people cross-shop the two models than you'd think...

P.S. I'm not saying I'm buying an S40, I'm just test driving one (along with the MINI). If the MINI really is the car for me, then when I drive it I will know. If for some reason I like the S40 or SAAB better(I'm also test driving the SAAB 9-3), then I guess the MINI really wasn't the car for me after all.

I still have a feeling I'm going to like the MINI better. However, I may have to compromise and get the MCS hardtop with a sunroof to satisfy my parents safety concerns. I know it's not true, but they think the hardtop is safer.

 

Yes the cabrio is safe! http://www.motoringfile.com/2005/02/...on_bay_or_bust

 

um, but don't let the folks see this...http://blamebush.typepad.com/blamebu...lls_10_in.html

 

edit: never mind..I see where the MINI got launched 30 feet in the air.

Anyway, kyle dont let your mind stray. For awhile, I became enthused with the Idea of an 03 and below S2000, because of the rock hard suspension, and 9000RPM redline. However, I just couldnt leave the MINI. That decision was mainly because I had had one before, I think. Kyle, if you got another car instead of the MINI, you would never feel right. (not to put any pressure on you.)

 

Those liberals really will go anywhere to blame republicans for everything, and make our lives more SAFE.....(such as get 4WD vehichles off the road.)

 

That's just plain weird if you ask me. I know, you didn't, but what the heck.

Tell your parents that life is about taking risks and come hell or high water you want the Mini. Stamp your feet, wave your hands. Yell. You might be grounded, and you may still end up having to drive a gawd-awful boring Volvo, but at least you will feel better. :smile: On consideration, there are worse things in life than having to drive a brand new, albeit boring, car. Hey, if it's their money, you pretty much have to go with what they want.

Then when you're out on your own, buy what you want. And if the parents try to stick their noses in your business, grab a sword and cut their heads off. Just be sure their life insurance policy is up to snuff before hand.

If you're out on your own already and you're spending your own money, and they're applying pressure, the best thing is to get what you want and tell them to pound sand - in a nice way, of course.

 

Tried that just to be funny. My dad is one of the few. He was offered a test drive in a CL65 AMG, and the next test drive he did was a civic hybrid stick. I was commenting to him why I need a Cooper S, because I loved flying around the corners, I loved this an that. To his response-"exactly, thats why you need a MBZ 83 240D."

 

LOL. Well, on a more positive note, your parents probably know you better than even you do. They just want you to be in a safe car and all parents understand that one.

Be patient. If a Mini is not in the cards this time around, one day you will get exactly what you want. In the meantime, let them get the Volvo. All you have to do is burn some incense and turn it into a babe-mobile. You may not corner as fast as in a Mini, but you might have way more fun than you think in the S40. Chicks love new cars. :smile:

 

If (and that's a big if) I get the S40, I'm getting the top of the line 218 hp S40 T5 (turbo inline-5). I think it's even faster than a Cooper S.

BTW, don't get the wrong impression. If I really want a MINI, my parents will let me get it. They never said I couldn't, they just said they'd feel better if I got something else.

When I test drive the Cooper this Sunday, if I know it's the car for me, I'm getting it.

Also, No...I don't live on my own, my parents basically pay for everything so I have to respect what they say. I'm actually paying for a good chunk of the car, but they pay for everything else (cell phone, insurance, registration, gas on occaision, college tuition, etc).

 

pulling up an old thread...

how dependable/reliable are the Volvo's AWD system and those S40 T5's in general?

im not too familar with volvo culture...but are S40 T5's considered more of a girl's car?
i was looking around edmunds and thought the little sedan looked pretty cool. (the T5)

 

Volvo AWD is pretty good, I used to own a 850 so I browsed the volvo forums alot. The older 1998-2000 V70R AWD was a little touchy, but the new ones are pretty reliable.

As for being a girl's car, a MINI is definitely a hell lot more girly than a S40 Not that I care, I bought a MINI to eat up the corners, not to impress other guys.

 

yah, i don't care for guys either.

thanks for the info. i might consider the T5 as one of my future candidates
for my commuter next year. im looking for something AWD in sedan
around $30K

 

I know a guy who got one this summer, had buttons falling off scine he got it, good thing he doesn't change radio stations, already seeking out his options as soon as his lease is over. I suggested MINI but he's afraid of it being too small.

 

I don't know about how great volvos are, but I can tell you that all the people I know that had '80s volvos loved their volvos. One of my friends who had an '85 volvo blah blah really wanted to get another volvo when he graduated. My co-worker who drove an '80s volvo, bought an S60R and loves it. I actually like the look of the new volvos. I just wish they weren't two billion tons.

 

Old thread, but that's fine.

I'm definitely glad I went with the 9-3 over the S40. After seeing a ton of the Volvos around, I lost interest. To me, the 9-3 is a bit sportier, even though it's slower. It's also a bit less generic looking.

Having said that, I am DEFINITELY glad I did NOT get a MCc. Dunno why I wanted that. Putting off my MINI purchase for a bit and getting the Saab has given me time to figure out what kind of MINI I really want. You'll all find out soon enough, hopefully.

 

imho the 9-3Aero's are better cars than the S40's after looking at both closely.

 

True, but the 9-3 Aero competes more with the the S60.

 

how about C30? 260 hp 264 torque.

 

^^ hummmmm!!!

 

I figured that it's kinnda 2 tone like a mini and it's 2 doors...but you got to wait tho cuz this is just a concept.