Ok, heres the problem:

my mom thought it would be something i quickly grew tired of... whats a way i can show her differently... ive researched a lot... when i went for the test drive, i new everything the dealer was gonna say and impressed her that way but she thinks that im not considering other options when in reality i have; she thinks im hellbent on this one car, a lot of times when i ask her about it shes like well how bout this car and i tell her why not, because ive actually researched the car in question... and whats weird is its not that she doesnt like the car or says she does...she says she likes it she thinks im only thinking about it and nothing else which... she may be right now, but ive looked all over from used bmws to new fords and everywhere in between.... the thing that always brings me back is how perfect the car is

its fun, good looking, safe, fuel efficient, is all around a great value for the money, and it is actually cheaper than the $2300 a 6 months we pay on insurance

heres some cars ive considered:

used 350 Z
the problem is its a two seater and if i bought it new... i couldnt get near the features a mini for the same price

2005 mustang
theyre everywhere... i liked them since the concept, but now feel they are overdone and actually too bland

used BMW 330 Ci
Ive looked and could only find a few below 30,000 miles for $25,000... and the MCS is only fragments off the 1/4 mile time so its just as good

i looked at many others, but these were the top 4 now the MINI is no. 1

if you have any suggestions please send.

thanks

 

Since I am probably older than you mom, I will have to say...



SHUT UP AND LISTEN TO YOU MOTHER!!!



Okay, I'm just kidding - I wouldn't touch this one with a 10 foot pole. :smile:


edit: actually, I didn't mean to post this, but hit the "Enter" button by mistake - ya'll please don't flame me for a finger that has a mind of its own... :smile:

 

Did Mom go on the test drive with you? That is usually the clencher. Be sure she gets in the driver's seat. She'll order two.


Barring that, print out and show her all the safety features the car has. 6 airbags, reinforced cabin area, stability controls etc, battery disconnect and seatbelt pretensioners...(the list goes on).

Then, hit her with some gas mileage figures of the Ford, BMW, and MINI.

Ultimately tell her to choose a car for you, as long as the car she chooses has Personality. You'll either end up with the MINI or a Skeezer...er, I mean Scion XB.

 

Tell her you have also started researching motorcycles

 

The only car my parents ever got for me was a dirt-brown 1976 Chevy Nova with an AM/8-track stereo. This was in 1990.

If you can get any of the cars you mentioned, take it!

 

Okay, I'll level with you.


I think a lot depends on WHO is paying for this car...


BUT... I have had experience with a LOT of different cars over my lifetime, and feel that my '05 is one of the best decisions I have made. I have had a lot of sports cars (never had a "muscle car" - they don't fascinate me), and even though some of the people that post here do nothing but complain about this-or-that, and a lot have valid complaints, I have had NO problems with either my '02 MCS or my '05 MCSC. The only reason I bought the convertible was that my wife missed the top down experience, so I got the drop top.

A MINI is a fine little car - probably safer than a lot of SUV's running around, and if I had to do it again, I would have another.

Tell her that it has the coveted "Rev. Limiter Seal Of Approval".


edit: And it MAY be a good idea to mention the motorcycles.

 

show her this

 

and tell her how much extra $ you need for all the things you gonna want as soon as you get the car

 

I took my mom to the test drive too (I'm 23 btw), but I'm paying for the car (but I still live at home! )so I thought mom would like to see the different cars I'm considering.

Well, maybe its my own money, or maybe its the MINI, but she thought the Mini felt very solid and airy.

If she was paying for it, I'll probably get something cheaper, I'm not the kind of person that enjoys spending someone else's money that much

 

The only other car I would consider is the Lotus Exige (Modified Ellise). But there are draw backs. No space to bring along KidDiff1 and KidDiff2. Mid Mounted Transverse engine. That means drop throttle oversteer. MrsDiff nearly toatled a Fiero because of drop throttle over steer. And most of all, I have yet to see a Lotus on the Dragon type event, nor is there a Indy Lotus club.

MINIspider: I LOVE your custom dash. The extra gagues, what are they? Can you help me build one of my own?

 

I am in my 40's and was planning a trip to dealer for a test drive and to place an order. I asked 71+ year old mom if she wanted to come along. Wow to my amazement she did..the dealer gave us the keys to a new MCSa and away we went, finaly I asked if she wanted to take it for a drive and would you believe she WANTED to drive the MIN, she loved the paddle shifting, handling, power, and of course safty and after about a block of driving she smiled and looked at me and said that it was cool and I had to get myself one. She also said if she was getting a new car she would also think about getting a mini also. Just a note she presently drives a customized Mercedes Benz with a big AMG motor, low pro rubber mounted on Chrome Concept Napier wheels, tinted windows, sheepskins all around, and big AMG pipes out the back! Mind you these custom touches were all her ideas. Anyway with her urging I ordered my MCSa and awaiting delivery but now she is as excited about my mini as I am......sometime your parents will fool you..Now go and get mom behind the wheel she'll fall in love !

 

Make a table of cars that you're considering, even ask for some of her input. Then just fill out the table. Also, find things like the Mini vs F150 that shows both of them after running into the same guardrail at the same speed.

A friends folks were convinced that it wasn't just a toy based on a story about car safety, and the 6 airbags and DSC.....

Really, it sounds like she just wants to make sure that you're not following a whim, so if you show her your not, the resistance will go away. If it doesn't, there's something else at work....

Matt

 

Appease her; take her to test-drive all of the cars she wants you to be interested in. Then, if you still can't have the MCS, take what she gives you, say thank you, then buy one when you can get one on your own.

Bottom line is that if it aint your dinero, it aint your decision.

mb

 

Exactly what I was going to say. Even the same age and live at home too. Lol. I would definatelly take her for a test drive. I took my mom and sister on a test drive but they gave me a convertable and my mom wanted me to get that. I just couldn't part with the hardtop. Are you getting an S or Regular Mini? If you get an S just don't tell her it's supercharged. LOL

 

Don't "Tell her" what you think, print out manufacturer's specs SIDE_BY_SIDE and SHOW her the MCS' advantages (all readily available on the web)

Let's see...

350Z:

MCS gets better mileage than the 350Z, and has better resale value, and is cheaper to insure (due to four seats, and smaller engine).

2005 mustang:

MCS gets way better mileage than the mustang, and has WAY better resale value (due to the fact that they'll make MILLIONS of mustangs, and only a few 10's of thousands of MCS's), and is cheaper to insure (due to four seats, and smaller engine).

BMW 330 Ci:

Good luck finding one of these cheap, they are usually VERY expensive, even used. Also, they are expensive to maintain once they are off their warranty...

Others in this catagory:

WRX: poor resale, poor mileage, not as sexy, but who cares? You can slide sideways in the snow, and have fun!

RX-8: REALLY bad on gas & oil, useless back seats, no trunk to speak of, but man does it drive nice.

MX-5: Not bad, could be a good choice, its got a great history of performance, and Mazdaspeed should do great things.
Solstic: Fat, but the turbo model could be nice... a great chassis that should respond really well to boost.

SRT-4: A great fat motor, in a crap a$$ chassis. But if you want to go straight, really really fast, its the most pony for the penny.

Sentra SE-R: Lots of really good parts hung from a really mediocre frame.

New CIVIC Si: Looks great on paper, looks like a galactic space cruiser in person, but it certainly has the goods to go fast, but its going to be really boring otherwise...

OK, that's my rant, sorry if I offended any fans of these cars. In the end, obviously, I went with an MCS... and I haven't looked back since. Nothing but good things to say about the MCS.

RM2k5

 

Show her all the awards too, including these two new ones (pinched from another thread):

MINI wins new award
Proving that MINI owners know their stuff, our common passion has won another award.

http://www.strategicvision.com/auto...b543734d02de13f

and one for the convert. too

http://www.strategicvision.com/auto...b543734d02de13f

See for yourself.
__________________
BLUBELLE - 9/02 production 2003 MCS IB /W 1,2,3 pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Chrome Trim, Magnecors, Denso IK-22s,Alta 15% Pulley and CAI, Unichip, Scorpion cat-back,Skid Plate, Rear Fogs, H&R Coilovers, RDR Control Arms and Swaybar. Motoring since 10/18/02. I V-1, do you?

 

thanks for all the replys and i want to let everyone know i am paying for most of the car....

i will pay monthly whatever i cant cover a month she will cover, because after all i need gas money

 

and my mom did come along for the test drive, but she rode in the back...which i know is rigid since its riding on the wheels, but she didnt want to switch seats

 

can you tell me where to find the F-150 vs MINI guardrail info

 

OK, I'm a mom, and I drive a MINI. Did all the research, have owned and driven many different types of cars (ok, no Fords) - haven't driven anything I like better.

MINIs get my MOM Seal of Approval.

Shelly

 

Here's a link....

Matt

 

Inexperienced 17 year-old driver + high hp, rwd sports/GT = formula for disaster.

1) Keep it under 150 hp.

2) Keep it over 5 years old (otherwise insurance costs will be like buying a new car every year).

3) Drive accident and citation free for at least two years before purchasing a performance machine.

4) Join local SCCA / autocross club, and "run what you brung" to learn the ins and outs of car control. p.s. I've seen Chevettes beat Corvettes on some auto-x runs.

5) Listen to your mother.

 

If your mom is paying for it, tell her you've changed your mind and will settle for no less than a Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe. Go on for about a week about it, then after she sees the $80k plus price tag, the MINI will appear to be even more of a bargain than it actually is. Then tell her, ok , you guess you'll "settle" for "just" the MINI.

 

Then maybe you should get a cheaper car?

Ya'll 23 y/o's living at home are lucky. I'm being kicked out when i turn 21 And i have an accident on my record, so i'm paying out the butt for insurance, although i haven't a single ticket.

My mom test drove one about the same time i did, but she went with her b/f and i went with mine. we all came back loving it, but i was living at my dad's... and he didn't want me to get a mini. after my accident, he BROUGHT the mini to my work to test drive. I'm paying in full for it, but he offered to cosign to save my butt from not having any credit. Now, if MY parent's can be convinced, anyone's can

 

To me a new MINI with free maintenance and under warrantee trumps everything on your list on first glance. Why mess with a still expensive used car that is much closer to costing lots of $$ to keep up?

When I turned 16, in 1986, my dad let me drive his old 1976 Honda Civic CVCC that had about 150,000 miles on it and I was lucky to have that. I can't remember anyone in my circle of freinds (and none were by any means poor) that had a car newer than 5 years old (oh, I did forget about the one guy whose mom bought him a Buick Regal T -Type with the insurance settlement from when his dad died).

Count your blessings.