Sorry for the rant, but I have to let it out somewhere! So I'm a young guy 23/M single and in the military. I moved here in November and bought my 05 Cooper S 3 weeks after getting here. I'm the new young guy who has a brand new, high profile vehicle in the parking lot...
WEll, since then everybody especially the older folks in my shop keep asking me "Why did you buy that new car?" Now, the tone of there voice and the way they bring the question up is in a negative way! One person from the shop told me how over the years (10 years) that he's been in, he's seen young Airmen buying new cars and getting themselves into financial trouble. I see his point of view and I don't disagree w/ what he his saying.
Although when confronted, it's as if they are challenging me to some arguement that it's retarded to buy a new car here overseas and that I should do wiser things w/ my money. Now, I'm a car nut just like the 99.99% of you folks on here. The view and the assumption after the short 2 minutes of ingnorant conversation I get out of these folks are: haters and they hate to see young pple nowdays being able to acquire nice items and there belief in vehicles are something to provide them basic transportation from pnt A-B.
I just want to basically tell the next person to just shut there mouth and say nothing to me about my purchase power and what I can and cannot afford, but it's kinda hard to do so when your woring for Uncle Sam!

So this is my rant for the week

 

Perhaps if you stay in, when you are a Master Seargent you will understand that they are simply doing what good military supervisors do - they are looking out for their men. Now you may be more mature than many other young airmen - maybe not (judging from the rant). They are not sticking their nose in your business; they are being good leaders, mentors and coaches by imparting to you the wisdom of their years of experience. Trust me, they don't begrudge you the fact that you have the means to buy nice things, they just want to make sure that you can handle your affairs carefully. They want you to continue to be able to afford nice things in the future.

....and yes, I've been there. I started out as enlisted in the Navy and retired as an officer and over my career I saw many young people get in over their heads and end up with bad credit ratings - some of them my friends. Look, thy know exactly how much you make and approximately what you can afford (unless you have a stash of funds from home). Maybe they don't understand what a great value the MINI is. Next time they ask you how you can afford the car, why don't you offer to show them and calmly explain the reasoning for your decision. Who knows, you might impress them with your sense of responsibility. Certainly more so than ranting on this board.

 

First of all, I greatly appreciate the service and protection you're giving to this country. You're a true hero!

But I totally get what you're saying . . .

I'm 38 years old and can afford a more expensive car. My wife and I are expecting our first child, and people are ASTONISHED that I would dare buy a FUN car! "You're getting a WHAT?!," my friends ask me. Now, we already have a 2004 Honda Accord--which is THE family car par excellence, so why the 3rd degree about the other car?

There's something of the "Baby-on-Board" mentality that kicks in for the average American, I think. Suddenly, it's as if once you have a child, the world must bow down to you and get out of your way as you pilot your A-mare-ah-can SUV down the middle of the road. Well, NUTS to that attitude! I refuse to be bound by some silly social "norm" that was created by dead-eyed suburnanites (many of whom would never consider serving in the armed forces at that!).

I advise you to ignore your collegues' ignorant comments; they are simply jealous. Besides, you only go around once, and, given your line of work, I say ENJOY every day!

MOTOR HARD!

 

Cooper_Ski, Stinger has a good point of view in this matter...but you needn't feel guilty about your choice of car...seems to me that Mini owners march to the beat of a different drummer, as they say...so keep your head on straight and don't let them get you down...life's too short for weak coffee and ho-hum cars...motor on !!!

 

Cooper_Ski,

Aloha and welcome to NAM. Sometimes you just need to rant.

OK, you got an 05 MCS far from home.

Just enjoy it. Go motoring. Keep up with your payments. You always have the option to sell it at some point or ship it. Doesn't really matter, you get to use it now and enjoy. The 05 MCS is a great car. You only live once. Just keep a sharp eye on your finances and you'll be cool.

I'm in Hawaii and whenever I drive onto any of the military bases I "MUST" see at least 3 ot 4 MINIs driving or parked. Nearly all are brand new. I wave, they wave, there are worst habits out there.

 

Ski,

Nothing to worry about. Look on the bright side, you actually have ownership opportunities at your current station. Lots o' folks don't really have that option, with deployment schedules and absences making a vehicle difficult to maintain and enjoy. I know we certainly kept the used car market humming in Japan :-)

When my MCS arrives, it will be my first brand-new car, ever. Really looking forward to this. Never owned a car less than four years old, as far as I can recall, most were closer to my age, including my old Karmann Ghia. Got a lot of looks in Northern Japan with that car, after I shipped it.

Take care,

Matthew Z.

 

I totally agree w/ Stinger, my postings were one sided. My father is retired military as well and I would hear the occasional "This airmen had to go see the shirt and commander b/c they bounced a check"
Stinger made valid points, yes my supervisors, you and everybody else knows exactly what my yearly income is (E-3). Although, there hasn't been one supervisor who has asked me or spoken to me about financial responsibility and I thank Stinger for indirectly coaching me. But when you are sitting at work and somebody across the room is speaking to another young adult about financial issues and you know that they are directing it towards you; you guys know what I'm talking about. Then having that person come to you and asks you "why did you buy a $20K vehicle"..C'mon.

I think ( I THINK) many working adults who have not been exposed to the civilian workforce do not really notice the changes in our era that young adults (~18-29) are able to acquire nice assests due to the higher wages and the slight economic growth we are having compared to what was offered to those who are about to hit there 20 year retirement mark had to deal with.
Hey I'm just taking advantage of the Military Sales Program buying a vehicle at MSRP and tax free... That's my answer from now on..

 

Cooper_ski,

I'm in a situation not too different than yours. I'm 27 with a '04 Cooper, (new at the time), and in the Navy. I did my homework, found out that I could afford the payments without too much trouble, and went for it. I still get nagged though about how I could have better spent my money. I say, to heck with them. Things might be different with a wife and/or kids, but since I don't have either (and it looks like neither do you), I'm going to spend my money the way I please.

One thing that many are concerned about is that you might have gotten ripped off. I know that in areas with a high concentration of young military members there are plenty of shady car dealers. Like ones that offer payments of only $250/mo, but with interest rates of 25% or higher! But with a MINI dealership, the worst to likely happen is that you purchase too many options!

Anyway, they're really just trying to look out for you in the end. All you can really do is grin, try to explain your side of the situation, and bear it! (Oh, and it helps to make sure that you do have a financial plan in place to prove that you can afford the car if anyone really decides to press it! )

-Paul!

PS - Just read your last post. You couldn't have bought a new car using a better method. I do recommend getting financial counceling though from someone who is knowledgeable, and who you trust. It's not a negative thing, and it will help you to see where your money is going. If you need further advice, feel free to PM me!

 

I have owned cars for 35 years,my MC that I got 20 months ago is the first new car I have owned.Have fun with your MINI,make the payments,and smile and nod to those that give you advice

 

Interesting info on attitudes in the military, must be like having a dozen moms... And btw posting a rant doesn't make you a petulent child.

Who am I to judge your purchases? I know 23 year olds that are quite sensible. Likewise, I know 40 year olds (one in the military, actually) that doesn't have the sense God gave a goose.

As an adult you have the right to spend your money as you please. You only need answer to the company that financed the vehicle, and observe the requirements placed upon you by your enlistment. You bought a MINI at a low price, the car holds it value better than 95% of all other vehicles out there, and there's a strong resale market for the MINI. So as a financial decision in purchasing a car you did okay.

It reminds me of good ol Ann Landers recommended response when people want to mind your business....

 

If you can do the payments, it's your business, not theirs. I'm sure if you'd had spent as much on a more conservative car, you would have gotten nods of approval for your wise and reasoned approach.

If they do need an good anwer, say resale value. If you do get over your head, you won't be "upside down" when you owe more than the car is worth. Compare this with a Corvette that loses a significant amount of value when you drive it off the lot.

I'm not nearly so kind when interpreting others judgemental attitudes. There is a prevelance of condesending judgementalism prevasive in society now, and it steams me raw. If the Military were really concerned about your financial health, they'd require you to prove you could pay. But they don't.....

I just don't buy the "looking out for the men" expanation. If that were the case, they'dd ask more specific questions about your finacial planning.

Have fun, and excerise the right to make your own decisions that you are willing to defend with your life. You've earned the right.

Matt

 

I was 20 in the Navy when i bought my first new car. 1992 Toyota extra-cab. I got the same ration of "crap" from the same group of people. It will all cool off in a few months. Don't let it get you down.

 

Even if you get behind in payments,thats still not anyone elses concern.
Do what you want,don't get yourself in a stressed position,and have fun

 

They don't call it "Mother Air Force" for nothing!


Motor on! :smile: And thank you for your service!

 

I just had to chime in on this one. I am a retired army sergeant myself. Part of our duties was to look out for and mentor our subordinates. I could not tell you the amount of times we have seen some young private go out and buy a vehicle from some local scheister at some rediculous interest rate. Of course that would be followed up with a trip to the local rent-to-own wheel shop for some $8000 dollar rims.

Well, as soon as this yahoo brings his brand new used ride on base, it becomes his supervisor's job that the vehicle is insured. Which of course this brand new troop did not think about. All he knows is that his LES got him all these loans and a fly ride. Except now all the payments are eating up most of his pay, he is sitting in the baracks because he cannot afford gas and he is starting to make stupid decisions. Like not making his payments on time.

Well, now the dealership, or the loan company is calling his first seargant complaining about the skipped payments. The first sergeant is calling me, or someone like me, chewing that *ss up one side and down the other that it is our fault since we failed to counsel the young troop properly on financial responsibility.

Not saying that this is the case here, but I have seen it happen often enough. To make a long story short. The military is not a touchy feely, feel good, sing kumba ya and share your feelings type of place. They tend to express and handle their issues in a very particual, male sort of way. As long as Cooper_Ski handles his business and stays out of trouble, as one of the posters said, it will soon be over.

But other wise, I would not judge his superiors to harshly. They are just doing their jobs the way they were taught.

 

I work for a federal agency that touts "family," as if I'm somehow related to those I work with. Yeah right! They could shut us down any day, thanks to those currently in power.

I mean, come on! Everyone needs to drop the attitude and just DRIVE! This whole 'looking out for the little guy' thing is completely bogus. Hey, if you're old enough to volunteer to fight and die for your country, you can damn well go ahead and buy a MINI Cooper!

Again, MOTOR HARD, dude!

 

gj, is this "Kumbaya" comment something that is taught in the military? I see this term used by current and former military types all the time. Please enlighten me. Thanks!

Cooper_Ski, once your superiors realize what a great value your MINI is, perhaps they'll go for a test-drive, catch the fever, and buy MINIs, too!


Clover

 

LOL. Let me see if I can enlighten you. Being as most military bases are located on the East coast, Midwest or South most military personel use "Kumbaya" to refer to us West Coasters, or hippies, or anyone who can actually brush their hair. It is a term that is passed down through the ranks to refer to anyone who somehow exhibits the need for any sort of attention that usually would come from the parental unit of the female persuasion.

Let me know if you would like me to expand some more on the topic.

Cooper_Ski. Don't sweat the NCO's. Most of them are actually not as smart as they would like for you to belive they are. After all, if they were, they would be driving a MINI.

 

So, you mean sissy-boys? What if my mother wears army boots?


Clover

 

Than you should call her Mam

 

Ma'am says she prefers "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore," over "Kumbaya!"


Clover

 

You better not argure with her, either, lest you get an impring of that army boot on your ****!

 

Sir, yessir!


Clover

 

You don't have to call me sir. I work for a living.

 

Okey-doke! Mr. gj.

Clover