For whatever it's worth...I have a MCS and a Jeep Liberty, and I feel safer in the mini. It brakes better, handles better, and is virtually impossible to roll over.

 

Just have 'em shut the door. My Mom and Dad were a little worried, even with all the safety statistics, but once they shut the door they felt themselves how solid the car is. Mass is one of the most important elements in a crash situation.

I'm not sure how your parents can not think it isn't safe, especially when compared to the cars they've driven in the past and are driving now. It's safer than anything they've owned.

 

Went on a test drive with mixed results.

They still don't like the car, but agree it's really well built and probably tougher than it seems initially. I made a point to highlight the steel beams in the doors, the rigid structure and airbags.

We tested a MINI Cooper Convertible (no automatic Cooper was available). The ride was good, but the rear visability was really a big problem. We got to sit in a Cooper hardtop though, and that cleared up some concerns there.

To me, the steering on the MINI actually felt a little stiff, but I'm told it's a good thing. With my parents and the MA in the car, I didn't get to gun it too much and there weren't many corners, but I did have a blast during the test drive.

During the day, we also test drove the Honda Civic and the Mazda 3. The Civic was a HUGE disappointment in terms of fit/finish and quality. The difference between the Civic and the MINI was night and day (and that was driving the Si version). The Mazda 3, however, surprised us with the quality of the ride, materials etc. Handling was good as well.

They're leaning heavily on the Mazda 3, and I can't say I blame them. The price, handling and quality seemed to win them over the "toy-like" (my father's words) nature of the MINI.

If we do go with the Mazda 3, there's a good chance the MINI will have to wait for 2-3 years . At least the insurance rate will be decent then (and we'll have the PSA engine).

I'll keep you guys updated.

 

Here is a story i heard about a mini Accident on another site:

I kid you not, 2 minutes after i read that, somebody posted in one of my pictures: "I cant believe you like thoes deathtraps". I died laughing.

 

My oldest daughter (who graduated from college year before last) bought a Mazda 3 and she really likes it. I do too, although I've never driven it and haven't poked around it very much. I like my MINI much more, but she perfers her Mazda 3. FWIW, her friend bought a Corolla S (regretting somewhat paying extra for the meaningless trim pieces) and found my daughter's Mazda 3 to be much more zippy (it's a manual).

I have to admit...being a parent myself...that you did good research and were on very solid ground on this one. Some folks just can't get past their predispositions. It is nice they are helping you.

 

Un-be-lievable!! Great story, btw...these cars are bricks!!!

 

Thanks, and trust me, i know. Ive had one for a weekend and a bunch of my friends in LA have them and love them. I have herd stories of people who crashed their Minis into trees or telephone poles doing 60 and walked away. Heck, just a couple days ago there was a post about somebody who crashed his car into a mountain and he walked away. These cars are unbelievably safe. Now i just need to sit and wait for 4 months to get mine :(

 

The wait would be slightly shorter here. The MA said if I ordered I would get the car in October.

 

In most states, the wait is only 2 months or so... Unfortunatley, in California, if you need to get a Mini at MSRP, you have to wait anywhere from 4 to 12 months.

 

Well it looks like the MINI is losing the race with the parental units... too bad.

Perhaps you can get something used and cheap enough that in a couple of years when you're under your own rules you can pitch the mom-and-dad-mobile and get whatever your heart (and wallet) desires.

 

I dont know if this will work on your parents, but my parents wanted to get me the car i absolutley wanted. For me the dream of owning a mini started back in 2002 when it was first released. As i was only 13 at the time, i didnt have the opportunity of getting one upon release. So i pressed and pressed my parents to get me one. They refused to buy me one for my 16th, but agreed to get me one as a grad gift. Finally, after 5 years they broke down and ordered it early for me. Hopefully it will be here by christmas. I could have had any car (within reason) from them that i wouldnt get myself killed in. I chose the Mini and that was enough. I hope your parents can see the same love of the Mini Cooper in you and decide to get you one. Worse case you will get to wait a couple more years and get one yourself. I can tell you one thing. The wait has only made getting the mini an even sweeter experience for me.

Good luck and i hope you get your car!

 

This is a Good ThingTM. I had the same impression as you when I took my first test drive. At highway speeds (70), a Voyager or Dodge minivan feels like it's careening out of control, the same can be said for my sisters 98 Civic 4dr. The MINI - a world apart. I don't know how the Mazda handles.

John

 

YOU are the one going to be driving the car 90%+ of the time. GET WHAT YOU REALLY WANT, NOT WHAT YOUR COMMANDING PARENTS THINKS IS BEST FOR YOU.

 

Looking at your sig, you are very lucky to be getting such a car!!!:smile:

 

Hehehe. Thank you I was able to write the suspension and brakes off as "safety modifications"

 

Tell them the truth, tell them that even if they don't sign for a Mini this time, your next car is going to be a Mini

or,

tell them you will never ever and ever and never and ever........... (you fill in the blanks)

 

Threaten to sell the mazda and buy a Ducati

 

ducati's rock...but no where near as safe as that mini!

 

LOVE Ducatis, had a 748, 996 SPS, and a 999, family and wife pressure now no bikes

 

When I was 16, my dad gave me the downpayment money for my first car, but I had to work to earn the money for the monthly payments. My parents were not imposing when the time came for me to pick the car I liked best (Given budget limits). I was lucky enough to be able to get a brand new car. My choices in 1988 were down to:

Ford Tempo GL

Honda Civic DX Hatchback

Pontiac LeMans (Daewoo) hatchback

Toyota Corolla FX-16 hatchback

Don't ask me why, but I ended up with the new Ford Tempo GL. It was an absolute piece of junk and regretted not getting the Honda Civic hatchback, which at the time, was pretty much the equivalent of today's MINI Cooper.

The point is that my parents allowed me to choose the car that I liked most. Even tough the Tempo was a mistake, I still appreciated the experience because I ended up choosing what I liked.

I think your parents are car shopping for themselves, hence their preference of the Mazda 3. With all your due respect, your parents seem to be very commanding . In a few years when you are ready to marry and make a family, will they choose your bride to be as well?

You need to clarify with them if they are buying the car primarily for themselves or you. If they car is for you, don't be afraid to respectfully state that if you are going to spend a significant amount of time behind the wheel of this car and if you are going to be financially responsible to make the payments, gas and insurance, then it is only fair for you to pick out what YOU REALLY WANT

Some parents have a hard time letting their children make decisions of their own and I personally see this to be detrimental.

Better yet, if you can, get a part time job and save your pennies for the downpayment and then get the MINI you really want. By not accepting "their" money you will not be subjected to their wishes.

Establish your boundaries my friend. You'll thank me for it

 

Well said c4! As im only 17, I am at the end of said parental controll. I respect them for giving me free reign (as i said before.. Within reason) over the car i was going to get. Afterall, it is going to be your car. You are going to be taking it to college and having to drive it around all of the time. Why not be in a car you will love and respect?

 

same here, the pressure is great on my end, i get alot of negetive feed back but i must seek out one soon. (ducati)
i just love the way they look.....sorry to hear that, (no bikes) but ur' more valuable to ur' family now right? not that U werent before.
safety is a big deal when ur' out there driving from point A to point B and the mini cars are #1 on my list!!!

 

hummmmm.... i'd go for the 3-wagon if those were you choices and
it was going to be your only car. :smile: ive driven the 3's in the past
and those are pretty capable cars. it has a lot of bang for the buck
plus lots of cargo room when you need to move to your dorm or
apartment in college.

 

hmmmmmm

 

You make some very good points.

I have a full time job that brings in approximately $20-22K a year. I know I can finance my car, but it just seems to be a ripoff to me (epecially in the MINI's case, where the financing rate is like 6-7%). I also give approximately half of what I earn back into the family.

Also, call me a goody-two-shoes, but I want my parents to be happy with the car I drive as well.

I guess it's the practical side of me fighting over the fun-loving side. The Mazda 3 will be cheaper to buy, cheaper to fix, and cheaper to insure. It will also be only 1/2 as fun.

So conflicted....