>>Fad? Is she aware that the original Mini was on the market for about 40 years in Europe before the new MINI came out? I think they sold something like 5 million of them. That's the longest "fad" I've ever heard of!
>>
Yep, and the original Mini was voted car of the Century (the last century that is) by most non-US motoring magazines. Came in top place over other cars competing for that spot, including the Model-T and the original Bug.

 

This guy at a MINI meet came up to us and said to "Didnt those things go out of style thirty years ago?"

 

My wife was very enthusiastic about getting our MCS...she can't wait to drive it (we've had it three days), although it hasn't happened yet. She was a litle cool over my earlier fixation with the Audi TT and Honda s2000.

Take your girlfriend for a test ride.

 

My father couldn't wait for me to get one and now my mother is thinking about it.

My wife supported the idea, even though we have a baby on the way and the MINI is our THIRD car (my Toyota pickup and her Altima). She is now quite coy about her fondness of the little blue car, but occasionally slips when telling others about it.

My boss is now fighting the urge to buy one, and many of the people around me think it's the coolest thing they have seen on the roads.

The funny thing is, most people don't consider the practicality of the MINI, thinking it's a 'fun' car only. They don't think it's something they would ever drive, but soemthing they'd love to be in a position to drive. Yes, it's small, but there is room in most lives for a car that is smaller than a Hummer. It's not really expensive, and it's fairly fuel efficient. When you consider other cars that are 'more desirable', it actually stacks up quite well in most categories and whips all other in style and personality.

My friends and family see that. They love it when I drive it to their homes. They love getting rides in it. They love being a part of the looks the MINI gets on the road. It's a big friggin smile and people just love it.

 

My Mother hates it! She thinks it looks like a clown car. She even taught my 2 year old daughter to say clown car! :evil:

 

>>The funny thing is, most people don't consider the practicality of the MINI, thinking it's a 'fun' car only.

I have yet to have to leave anything behind after my shopping runs at COSTCO. I think the MINI is a very practical car.

 

It certainly is practical. And it's my daily driver....and serves me VERY well.

 

So I can say it practically a fun car? Oops.

 

"Then after all her "I will never drive stick" talk she wanted to learn, so I was showing her. Then she didn't like something I said and she tells me I went from teacher to ***** and F' my car. So now she acts like she could care less."


Yo Delt,

I've taught over ten people how to drive a stick, but I couldn't teach my wife either. I cut a deal with a bud that I'd teach his wife how to drive a stick if he would do the same for me. I feel your pain.

 

Well, I never had anyone tell me not to get it because they thought it was ugly...
but I did get the speech on safety from family members. HOWEVER...once I told them
that I'd ordered the MINI, they softened up and were actually looking forward to
seeing it. So, bottom line...do what you want. If people love you (like your
girlfriend) she'll want YOU to be happy. And I guarantee she'll love the car
once there's nothing she can do about it.

 

>>
>>Life is too bizarre NOT to drive the MINI. And if you **** off a few irrational people in the process well then hey, it just adds to the pleasure
>>

Very true toasty,

You should bring that man of yours in line or dump his bum for failure to sufficiently support your eccentricities.

 

>>>>Life is too bizarre NOT to drive the MINI.

That is the quote of the month, right there.

 

Just about everyone associated with me liked the car from the get-go or came to like it once the 'shock and awe' of it being so different and small wore down. I still have people who say "I still don't see how YOU can fit inside that car" (I am a 6 foot tall, 265 pound powerlifter type), to which I say 'quite comfortably!'. Anyone who has taken a ride in the MINI loves it. It's a breeze to park, gets decent mileage, and there is no denying the 'fun factor'.

I actually look forward to driving in roundabouts, on/off ramps and little twisty roads. My only beef these days is sharing these spots with others. I want that onramp for my own!

 

Truth be told the Mini is fantastically safe for it's size. I'd avoid getting nailed by one of those ugly Hummers though.

The Mini is alien to America, as it was never produced here untill now. Besides it goes against all that is "American" in cars. It's SMALL, EFFICIENT, and ECONOMICAL. Now who ever would want such a thing???

The Beetle was looked at oddly in it's first introduction, but has since become a cherished and loved car in America, even in it's higher priced new encarnation. In time the Mini will catch on here, but if it don't, well good for "...us happy few..." who are cool enough to have taste.

Funny though I chose my other car cause it's a tank ('96 Ford Bronco).

 

My family (with the exception of my great aunt, who has the cardboard MINIs from Vaniity Fair on her TV) think that the car's retarded - it's too small, it's unsafe, it doesn't have enough power, the resale value's too low, blah blah. This coming from people who bought me a 2001 Sportage as an emergency buy when my '88 Bronco II died. I compared the cars' crash test results, resale value, and showed my folks the awards and positive reviews. Now all they can really say is "Oh, it's small." I laugh, since my mother drives a Miata. At least the MINI can't go under semis.

 

I don't think one person objected to my wanting a MINI....My husband's father had purchased his earlier in 2002 and I fell in love with it! When I found one I could get right away, my husband was more than supportive and family and friends thought it was the coolest car! Perfect for me! Even my co-workers are more than supportive...any MINI ad in any magazine is dropped off on my desk by just about anyone in the company!

Love my MINI. Even if someone were to tell me I was nuts, I'm extremely happy with my purchase - in fact, this is a relationship, not an ownership...my MINI is part of the family! GO GET THE MINI!

 

Sounds to me like you need to make a few other more important decisions before buying a new car. If this is the nature of your relationship before you are married, I can't imagine what would happen after you got married. Dump her!!!!!!!!!!

 

At first, I got negative feedback from my mother who thought the car was too small for someone my size. But now she thinks it's real cute! I could care less what anyone else thinks, but I changed my mom's feelings with facts about the MINI.

 

>> (who has FUN driving an SUV?).


I take immense pleasure in driving my SUV.

You know what would rule? If i could get an Escalade with a special hatch that i could drive my MINI up and than control the Escalade from the MINI. That would be the Bee's Knees!

Anyway

My parents were very supportive, they've been bugging me to get a new car since about a year after i got my Jeep. I think they just wanted me to stop driving on the sidewalk and parking on the neighbor's lawn. That and they were terrrified because the Jeep has no airbags and useless seat belts. They also couldn't stand my constant bitching about my radio's getting stolen.

My girlfriend was supportive because she was sick of driving in my cold damp epileptic Jeep after about five minutes. She was also sick of constantly taking her car everywhere cause as soon as we got over about 10 mph we had to shout to hear each other.

The only negitive comments i got were from a girl i was kinda "friends" with (before my current girlfriend) she thought it was stupid. But that's ok cuz in realitity she's the stupid one and I don't really talk to her much anymore.

The other negitive comments were from my best friend and his wife. They are discredited because everything i do isn't good enough for them and quite frankly they had um, how shall i put this, They asses was too big

 

At first I didn't get much support. It was only when I finally got it and they rode in it that they thought it was nice. I don't know if this is a good thing or not but my mother and my mother-in-law both want one for themselves. My mother was joking about getting an orange one and I told her about next years new color. Family get togethers may soon not need large parking areas. :smile:

 

I went and bought the car in a very short time period, so most of my friends didn't even know I was looking to get a car before it showed up.

Once I got it, most everyone just loved it. :smile: My father, who has consistently had a the ability to accurately suggest to people what type of car they'd like to drive, was a little dubious of it until he drove it. After that, he said it fit me well. My girl friend calls it a clown car, but is looking for someone to teach her stick so that I'll let her drive it.

Both my father and my best friend have said that they are surprised that I'd drive such a trendy car. But agree with me that it fits me well. :smile: They are just amazed I'd get something so trendy. *chuckle*

 

Funny thing is that the people who questioned my decision to get a MINI were the first ones to want a rde in it. Needless to say, my sanity is no longer questioned although my wife quite rightly pointed out that I need to stop cleaning the new arrivak and spend some quality time detailing her car. The point was well taken and both cars will get the treatment this weekend.

As for your dilemma, in the end it truly is your decision. For whatever its worth, the kids (two of them) now refer to the MINI as the "family car," as in "let's take the family car. And yes, we all fit even with stuff.

 

Make up your own mind and stop discussing it with your co-workers, family, etc... Do they tell you who to date, what clothes to wear, what style to get for your hair? Are they so in your personal life they want to have input as to the car you buy?

and your girlfriend is just that -- a girlfriend. Marry her and then she'll have a vote where you spend your money. If she is scared to drive in the Mini, then you can meet her places or perhaps you'll find a girlfriend who likes sportscars and isn't so negative. -- what if you drove a motorcycle? Is she dating you or your vehicle?

Sorry if I'm blunt! but I can tell you are under 40. Because after 40, you will make up your mind, research a product, and spend your own money on it and you won't even ask anyone what they think about it.

_________________
Formerly Known As Austin !

 

You know seriously, if you were married and had several kids I could understand your wife questioning the idea. But you're not married and you don't have any children, right?
It sounds to me like her thoughts are further into the future than your's are, or perhaps you have different thoughts of the future than she does?

 

So my Cadillac 1987 Sedan DeVille broke down again for the 3rd time in as many months. talk about frustrating. electrical problem. replaced the alternator, but its dead again, so there is some other problem going on. I will hold out for the next 2 months at the end of which, i will be leaving for France.

getting my mcs upon return. But anyways, my dad and mom were pretty cool with it. my my wants me to get "more of a normal car" but my dad loves it. i showed them all about the safety and efficiency etc. my dad wants one himself but doesnt want to deal with the inconvenience of the service being hours away. he will get one once service is closer by (with in a 1.5 hours).