"Go Hawkeyes" (joehawkeye)
08/31/2015 at 22:26 • Filed to: None
2
13|
"Go Hawkeyes" (joehawkeye)
08/31/2015 at 22:26 • Filed to: None | 2
| 13 |
Every parent goes through it eventually. A child turns 16 and gets their license. For some parents, it’s also a time to buy that child their first car. For me, it’s turned out to be a terrible mistake.
There are many and diverse objectives when purchasing a car. My wife wanted to make sure we got something safe. It had to have airbags; the more the better. It had to have decent crash test ratings. For me it had to be economical, mechanically sound, and reasonably priced. For my daughter it had to be cute, fun, and small.
The first car we bought her was a Hyundai Elantra with a 5-speed. It met the parent’s conditions and some of the child’s. However, the child just couldn’t get the hang of driving a proper automobile and can only drive an automatic. Due to her severe anxiety issues, we relented, sold the car, and began the search again.
Last week we found the car seen above. A 2003 MINI Cooper. It meets all of our requirements. Well, I’m not too sure about the economical when it comes to any future repairs, but otherwise not bad. My daughter absolutely loves the thing.
So what’s the problem? What is this terrible mistake?
I love the car too. The damn thing is a blast to drive. It takes corners with reckless abandon. It accelerates, well, kind of slow really, but it almost feels fast since your ass is only a couple inches off the ground. It sits so low that I found myself seriously gauging if it would fit under the deck of a semi so I could bring out my inner Fast & Furious. Sadly, it doesn’t fit. :( It’s so small that you can park it damn near anywhere. And it’s fun to weave in and out of traffic. I imagine myself in The Italian Job, and the not the shitty Mark Wahlberg remake either.
So I’m faced with a dilemma. Do I just keep the car for myself and find her something else? Or do I search some more and find myself a newer one, possibly an S model?
1111111111111111111111
> Go Hawkeyes
08/31/2015 at 22:58 |
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Yeah, teach her to use the stick...no pun intended. We need manual drivers.
Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras
> Go Hawkeyes
08/31/2015 at 23:03 |
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Find a S...or find something more reliable for yourself
R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
> Go Hawkeyes
08/31/2015 at 23:17 |
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Consider this:
You buy the mini and the time she could be spending up to nogood, she could be instead learning how to fix everything that will break on this 2nd generation planned obsolescence vehicle.
Big Bubba Ray
> Go Hawkeyes
08/31/2015 at 23:51 |
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Duuuuuude, you have to get her a car with a stick. If all her limbs are in working order, she can drive stick!
Even if you guys decide to stick with the Mini, it’s a damn fun car. Have a good time with it and tell your daughter to drive safe!
415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)
> Go Hawkeyes
08/31/2015 at 23:51 |
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Its yellow, some cars can be manly and yellow, I don’t believe this one is. But hey, I have an orange car so what can I say. My friend has an S2000, try one of those.
smobgirl
> 1111111111111111111111
08/31/2015 at 23:57 |
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Eh. I don’t disagree, but she doesn’t need to be any more anxious if she’s already new. Give her a year to get the hang of things and then try again.
Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
> Go Hawkeyes
09/01/2015 at 00:36 |
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Keep the one you have for your daughter and find yourself a proper one with a manual
:-)
TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
> Go Hawkeyes
09/01/2015 at 00:37 |
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Miata. Better than a Mini
BoulderZ
> Go Hawkeyes
09/01/2015 at 00:39 |
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She’s already set; you need to get an S for yourself. An S for a new driver, especially one a bit anxious, is not a good combo. Several of our club members bring theirs out to our track days. They’re quick, and reliable. It’s not the MINI owners having to bleed brakes, work on coolant, drain catch cans, etc. Then, at the end of the day, they can fit all the stuff in their car and head home. Off season, they throw a roof rack on and head for the ski areas. Pretty nice ride for a lot of applications. Have fun, and congratulations on the new driver in your family, that’s a big milestone.
Two Drink Minimum
> Go Hawkeyes
09/01/2015 at 08:14 |
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The Mini should be a lot of fun. Definitely have her keep the current ride and get yourself a Cooper S with manual transmission.
My daughter still has years to go before her license, but that hasn’t stopped her from staking a claim to the Abarth (three pedals, because I am militant that way).
JD Bartlett
> Go Hawkeyes
09/01/2015 at 12:22 |
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I wish my first car was fun. Or reliable. Or Safe.
But I would say shop around for yourself. whatever you’re into, a little more power or maybe a stick? Somebody already said Miata.
Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
> TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
11/21/2016 at 09:44 |
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Minis arent bad though if you ignore the reliability issues. From a purely driving standpoint, it is a good alternative if you want something with a roof and adequate interior storage space. Plus i really liked the POWAHHH in the Cooper S that I drove. I was just surprised at how well it handled for a wrong wheel drive vehicle. Miatas are slow and you have to be okay with slow to enjoy it.
Svend
> Go Hawkeyes
07/28/2017 at 13:05 |
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You should treat yourself to a Cooper S.
A friend had one as a courtesy car for seven months while insurance companies decided what to do with her crashed Peugeot 306D.
The acceleration was impressive and felt like a go kart.
The ambient mood lighting on the B pillars was a nice touch also.