if you want, ill find them in the night and make sure they change their mind...whos with me??

 

No, some of us see the real issue and real solution and have addressed that rather than feel the need to defend the MINI and its obvious values....When most of us bought our cars we didn't need anyones approval and we could care less what rednecks is 4x4 trucks thought. We were independent adults, confident in ourselves and our choices.

well said!

 

--So sorry not trying to start an argument. I just wanted to mention that you don't pay for servicing on a MINI for the first few years. Whereas you DO for an Acura. Not talking about reliability or number of times in the shop.

Yeah I wouldn't argue that the MINI is THE most reliable car by any measure. It's a hit or miss kinda thing with our cars. I think it all depends on how much beer was had in Oxford on your MINI's build day.

~pyratio

 

--I love mini skirts. I think they're HOT! If they're saying your car is HOT then I'd let them say that.

The most interesting disparaging remark was from a co-worker who told me it looked like a "pregnant skateboard" when I showed him pictures of it. He changed his mind after he saw it in real life and said it was really nice classy looking car. He's an older gentleman and he was probably miffed that I changed from a Mustang GT to a MINI Cooper S. (Big American car supporter)

~pyratio

 

1. Why we're even having this argument: It's his money.

Not while living under their roof. He may technically be an adult, but living as a depedent child and thus have very little rights in their house.

2. Why people think that, at 20, just because your parents are being parents and helping you out while you go to school, you are totally subservient to them.

Simple, no economic freedom. Who pays the bills? Who pays the utlities? Who pays the rent? When he acts like and adult, then you get to be an adult. Until then, he's a dependent child (most likely written off their income tax).

3. Why any parent of a 20 year old, who has agreed (presumably willingly) to help out a child would WANT to maintain control over their car purchase.

Whoa ... Well you got to be a little older to understand that one in the sense that no matter HOW old the kid may be, he is ALWAYS going to be their baby (especially if he is the youngest) and needs to be protected. I don't care if your 50 years old, you can still be the baby and protective geriatric parents can still want to control your life. Its one of those things you just have to be there to understand.

 

Just get the Acura and rice it out...then you will be cool.

 

I think the keg was sitting in my back seat. They could have left some for me.!!

 

It sounds like your parents are not not exactly rational...
on the other hand, you are living under their roof and pretty much have to go with what they say.

You did not say if you are paying rent, but even if you are, it's a heckuva lot cheaper than getting your own place.

Unless you can persuade them otherwise, you're in a no-win situalion: live at home cheap to be able to afford a car they don't want you to have or move out and not be able to afford the car you want.

What's wrong with an Acura, anyway?

When I was 19 I was not worrying about which premium compact car I was going to own - I was jumping out of C-130s with the 82d Airborne (so I could get the GI Bill for school) and driving a 7 year old Pontiac.

Don't want to be a damper, but I have kids your age. This might be a good time a re-assess your situation - sounds to me like you've got it pretty good.

 

I've watched this thread for a couple of days, and everyone's opinion seems to reflect their view of personal responsibility. I'll spare you any stories about my life at age 20. Just know that it wasn't about which $25k car I was going to drive. Appreciate the choices you have, and make your decision wisely. As a good friend once said, "Life's a party, but you're not the guest of honor."

 

My mum still wants to "protect" me (albeit not from my own car) but she's always recognized that money I make is MY money. And I'm perfectly free to make whatever mistakes I choose. Even when I was living at home after I graduated (college), she had no say -- nor did she want any say -- in my economic decisions.

I think we can probably all agree that one practically needs a vehicle to be independant (unless living in a major urban area with fantastic mass transportation which, for arguments sake, I'll assume not to be the case here) so why is it bad that he live at home in order to save up money to buy a car? And, as someone else said, it isn't as though they're against a car purchase, it's just that they want him to have what they want him to have based on the unsubstantiated non-truths told by the acquaintences of their other child. It's his car, he'll be using his money to purchase it, if they have a problem with "subsidizing" his vehicular choices then perhaps they should make him pay rent.

Whatever -- if you're in college and your parents want/have that much control, I say buy a late model civic and use the money you'd save to move out.

 

Was it a 'Good night, Tim. Good work. Sleep well. I'll most likely kill you in the morning.' kind of thing?

Yep. We really don't have enough information from the original poster about what is implicitly and explicitly agreed on, what kind of relationship they have (except for an interfering older sister) nor what the "saving money" is for. If it's for a purpose (moving out, grad school), then buying a luxury sport coupe could delay that. If it's just to generically save money, then perhaps they're interfering too much. We don't know. I do know there are conditions that would make me raise an eyebrow if one of my kids was living at home and announced that she was buying a new MCS whereas a less expensive, more practical car wouldn't.

 

The point was..... that the poster was sooooo MAD at his parents, his sister, the rednecks....etc....Our point was that maybe he should re-evalute his priorities....He probably needs to buy a cheap used car, grow up, move out and establish himself as an independent adult since he obviously has the money to do that......some of us have addressed the root cause not the symptom

See ...the original question does not exist, nor need to be addressed when you are a independent confident adult making thier own decisions, they will still give thier opinions but at the end of the day He is in full absolute control of his life not phased by his older sister STILL living at home

 

Getting back to the topic starter: Anyone that badmouths the MINI is either clueless - or jealous - and they have not ever driven one or read the numerous excellent, praising press writeups. You can mention to your parents the VG Consumer Reports data... Liberty Mutual (my insurance company) gave the MINI the TOP ranking for "All Two Door, Small Cars" in Injury, Collision and Theft. Not bad.

I still get comments on mine; one guy even says, "Dave, you have the best looking car in the lot." Hyper Blue Black w/ black bonnet stripes, BTW. :-)
I agree.

 

I'm a 25 year old college student, and have very modern and particular aesthetic tastes. On the other hand, my father is a simple, country born and raised, construction-working man who likes the simpler things in life: fishin', rabbit-ears on the ol' 19" TV, Chevy pickup in the driveway, and a simple but nice rural home. My mother is a nurse, and knows that cars have four tires. When I told them that I was going to sell my two beloved Honda Civics(a 2002 Si and a 2000 CX) and order a MINI with MY MONEY, they said as long as it's safe, reliable, and affordable, and as long as it makes you happy, go for it! I always loved my Civics, and the Hondas are a great auto, but one drive in the Cooper convinced me it was time for a new name in the driveway. So here's what you do: Step 1: drive or get a ride to dealer. Step 2: Pick a Cooper or order something specific. Step 3: Drive away with a new outlook on smiling, and never look back.

 

I guess the thread's author didn't post here yet, but he had another discussion with his parents, and this time, they listened and were fine with him ordering his MINI. He started a new thread about ordering the MINI. And with this post, I am locking the thread.