[Evlkarl]

I had to pick up our youngest (16) at School today as I pull up there is a brand new 2015 Cooper S VO sitting in the Parking Lot. I pull next to it waiting on the youngest looking at the S turns out a 17 Year old Girl drives it got it as a Gift for her Birthday.

This is just not fair not only is she younger than me better looking than me got more HP and an extra Cylinder and bigger Wheels. Stupid Parents what are they thinking these Days just because a Teenager wants something you cave in. I remember when I was 17 and ask my Dad if I can have a Car he told me to get a Job. Boy things sure changed since I was 17.

 

[noggin30]

Times sure have changed... I was told the same thing (though my Dad was kind enough to match what I put in, so I effectively bought half a car).

But that said, think of it this way. One more MINI on the road, means that MINI sold one more car, that could push the sales numbers into the correct margin, that could cause BMW execs to continually strive to build new and better MINIs, that you will buy 10 years from now...and she'll wish that she could afford as she sits watching you drive on merrily by.

 

[polarisboy385]

I understand your qualms, and it's sometimes painful to see

but

It's not your money, kid, or decision. Let the parents make the decisions they want, they do what they see is best for their families.

 

[Deonair]

Try looking at it this way. She will probably not appreciate it as much as someone who has paid hard earned cash for their prized possession.


A friend of mine is totally loaded, money is no object whatsoever. He has just bought a new Ferrari 458 at the drop of a hat. Is he happy? No. It's just something to do, it's just a car to him, he has no feeling towards it at all. He'll sell it in a few months because he's bored of it and will buy something else. I've always found that you get much more pleasure from something you have had to 'earn' rather than something which has just been handed to you on a plate.


And just think of all the people driving round in old bangers who envy you in your shiny new car

 

[farouche]

Not a problem where I live...

A Cooper S is 65.000$ and a year of insurance for it for a 18 year old (We are not able to get a license earlier than 18) is 10.000$

Sets some limits

 

[swearingino]

Some parents believe it's safer to put their teen in a newer car vs. and older car. My parents bought me a brand new Jetta VR6 for my 18th birthday in 2001. It was safer for me to drive to college than my 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano.

 

[kenl]

I imagine a MINI ONE is a bit safer for a 17 year old than an S. Surprised they can get insurance!

 

[jabberwocky]

Some parents believe it's safer to put their teen in a newer car vs. and older car. My parents bought me a brand new Jetta VR6 for my 18th birthday in 2001. It was safer for me to drive to college than my 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano.

This.

When I started driving I had to come up with the $400 it cost for a used car. I did all the maintenance on it and carried a full set of tools so that I could replace water pumps, fuel pumps and other repairs as needed.

When my oldest became old enough to drive, my wife and I debated the pros and cons of getting an older car and frankly it was better on our nerves to get him a Kia Soul with a new car warranty. Kids can't fix the cars of today and piece of mind is worth plenty to me.

 

[kenl]

Kia Soul is a pretty cool car.

 

[pjsjr13]

Growing up and now I've always bought and paid for ALL of my cars. I appreciated every single one of them, no matter what it was and how much I paid for it.

 

[BoCRon]

Our daughter will soon be getting my husband's 2011 Countryman S. He is getting an F55S and feels like the countryman is a safe car for her to drive to college. We debated selling the Countryman and buying her an affordable used car that would be cheaper to purchase and insure but it occurred to us that we knew the true history of the countryman plus it only has 15000 miles on it. She has driven my 2001 PT Cruiser for the past year so she is very excited to drive a more modern car. I would never buy her a brand new car, I think that is a goal for her. I remember buying my first new car, such a thrill.
Annette

 

[mick]

I understand where the parents were coming from, better safety, reliability etc..but perhaps a more suitable choice for someone aged 17 would have been a MINI One, you never know though, maybe the 17 in question is a junior racing driver.

Live and let live !

 

[Chathamgirl]

I imagine a MINI ONE is a bit safer for a 17 year old than an S. Surprised they can get insurance!

We found the newer the car the cheaper the insurance. My son drove a 2 year old micra when he first past his test. It was far cheaper than him driving an old banger.

 

[mikeswagon]

.....I pull next to it waiting on the youngest looking at the S turns out a 17 Year old Girl drives it got it as a Gift for her Birthday.

This is just not fair not only is she younger than me better looking than me got more HP and an extra Cylinder and bigger Wheels......

I feel this thread would be greatly improved with some pictures and yes before you ask I am a perv.

 

[swearingino]

Our daughter will soon be getting my husband's 2011 Countryman S. He is getting an F55S and feels like the countryman is a safe car for her to drive to college. We debated selling the Countryman and buying her an affordable used car that would be cheaper to purchase and insure but it occurred to us that we knew the true history of the countryman plus it only has 15000 miles on it. She has driven my 2001 PT Cruiser for the past year so she is very excited to drive a more modern car. I would never buy her a brand new car, I think that is a goal for her. I remember buying my first new car, such a thrill.
Annette

My son starts driving in 5 years. I'll probably give him my VO MCS to drive and buy myself a new one. I feel more comfortable giving him a car that I know the history on personally.

 

[jabberwocky]

The days of carrying a couple tools, a spare fan belt and an upper and lower hose are long gone I'm afraid.

 

[kenl]

We found the newer the car the cheaper the insurance. My son drove a 2 year old micra when he first past his test. It was far cheaper than him driving an old banger.

Yes, but a Micra does not have 190bhp!