[Jonmartin]

I don't think its gay at all. He's just soft and needs to feel "cool" in front of his friends. Mini's that are done right are kinda nice theres a shop around here we're most of their work comes from Mini Tuning and I always see about 5-6 mean looking mini's out there.

[mpimping]

i like them but they r mini...

[FStop7]

Mini Coopers (both the originals and the modern ones) are awesome.

/fread

[yoyeewee]

Originally Posted by zetaxi165

Chicks love the Mini.

He should get one, and he will have chicks checking him out and approaching him just cos of the car....

+1

[kgb1637]

Thanks Skierman64, glad I'm not the only one.

[The__J__Factor]

If you want your son to kill himself coz he wants the beating/harassment at school to stop then buy him the mini.
Im only 21 and have friends from 16 upwards and its defiantly a gay car to young people. Especially when they know how muc hthe car costs and compare it to the cost of other cars, makes it even more gay.

[yoyeewee]

If your 16 year old son cannot appreciate you buying him a new Mini, then just buy him a Honda Civic Si for crying out loud.

[NaTuReB0Y]

mini = beetle

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by yoyeewee

If your 16 year old son cannot appreciate you buying him a new Mini, then just buy him a Honda Civic Si for crying out loud.

I seriously would take the civic SI in a heart beat. I would take a honda fit over a mini.

[zetaxi165]

Over here, the ratio of male to female mini drivers is about 50:50.

In the end, the car will only get him so far. Whatever he drives its more about how he carries himself.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by The__J__Factor

If you want your son to kill himself coz he wants the beating/harassment at school to stop then buy him the mini.
Im only 21 and have friends from 16 upwards and its defiantly a gay car to young people. Especially when they know how muc hthe car costs and compare it to the cost of other cars, makes it even more gay.

Your first statement contradicts itself and you think a young man may kill himself over a car. Then the cost of a car makes it gay. You may need some counseling.

Anyone who puts the gay label on a person because of their choice of transportation is leaning out of the closet.

You either carry self confidence or you don't. "I can't drive that, people might make fun of me"-----NO SELF CONFIDENCE.

Just another sheep.....Baaaa...Baaaaaa.

[The__J__Factor]

I'm just saying the kid is gonna get a lot of crap his way.
Kids dont think "ow wow u got a brand new car"
They think "the mini cost $xxxxx why didnt you get this (insert car here) instead?"

OP you should just give your kid a set amount of money and some criteria to follow, such as must have air bags front and sides, must be under so many kms, must be xxxx build date or newer, must not exceed xxx power and let him research his own info and let him find what he thinks is best for that criteria and whats gonna make him happiest.

To me a car is a very personal choice and i would rather buy a cheap car with my own money that i 100% me then be given a car i didn't like by my parents and that's the bottom line really it should be what he feels comfortable in and what hes gonna love.

[gonzo]

I agree with the "want" factor. I drove a beige 70' Malibu as my first car. I waxed the paint off the car. Very proud of it. If someone would have made fun of my car I would not have been bothered in the least.
Some of the hottest girls at my high school drove absolute turds on wheels...that turned me on.

Folks got me a nicer modest car when I graduated .....missed my old beige buggy. They saw how I pampered the $1000 car and were sure I would take care of whatever they gave me.

The point I was trying to make is that 4 wheels don't make the man. A strong back and a strong sense of self worth make the man.

[Voltigeur]

-

Not at all. Latest "CAR" has a Mini in the final 8. Beat out some pretty hot comp.

[lib]

Originally Posted by gonzo

You either carry self confidence or you don't. "I can't drive that, people might make fun of me"-----NO SELF CONFIDENCE.

Just another sheep.....Baaaa...Baaaaaa.

This.

Originally Posted by The__J__Factor

OP you should just give your kid a set amount of money and some criteria to follow, such as must have air bags front and sides, must be under so many kms, must be xxxx build date or newer, must not exceed xxx power and let him research his own info and let him find what he thinks is best for that criteria and whats gonna make him happiest.

That's probably the best way to handle this - he would probably learn something.
Since he's only 16 I would definitely include that limit on power.

[Buschy]

what a long thread.
anyway I understand what your asking and here is an answer.
I think the minis are pretty cool.
however, I asked my wife about it and she said I would look gay in a mini.
she also said I would look gay in a gti.
so according to her hatchback = gay. I guess.

maybe I just look gay??

my sons girlfriend wants a mini, my son wants a jeep.

for a 16 year old boy, that already has the perception that the car is labeled "gay" its not a good idea.
He already made his mind up. If your concern is to get him somehting he likes and so that he can be cool. The only option out there really is a hond civic, get him the si.

[pmeloche]

Everybody drove a MINI Cooper when they came out originally in the 60s. It's a silly car but it's not gay. What is gay is a car with a flower pot in it.

[Buschy]

Originally Posted by pmeloche

Everybody drove a MINI Cooper when they came out originally in the 60s. It's a silly car but it's not gay. What is gay is a car with a flower pot in it.

LOL, when I brought my gli in for service once, I told them to give me a convertible bug loaner, and it was the yellow cream color at that.
I did this because I thougth my two daughters would get a kick out of it.

I almost turned gay after driving that for three days.

[FStop7]

Originally Posted by The__J__Factor

If you want your son to kill himself coz he wants the beating/harassment at school to stop then buy him the mini.
Im only 21 and have friends from 16 upwards and its defiantly a gay car to young people. Especially when they know how muc hthe car costs and compare it to the cost of other cars, makes it even more gay.

You drive a Z4 and you see fit to tell someone else their car is gay?

[CyberGypsy]

Originally Posted by FStop7

You drive a Z4 and you see fit to tell someone else their car is gay?

ROFL.... and you are right!

[Jonmartin]

Originally Posted by FStop7

You drive a Z4 and you see fit to tell someone else their car is gay?

LOL +1

[TofuTurkey]

Originally Posted by The__J__Factor

I'm just saying the kid is gonna get a lot of crap his way.

I agree that this should be considered. I think there's a need to distinguish between what we believe is correct, and what others think. Usually there's a trend, a common way of thinking and doing things, and any divergence from that results in the divergent individual having a more difficult time.

For instance, say a politician is a homosexual but has kept that a secret. One day he decides to run for president (no, not suggesting Obama is a homosexual ). He may believe that one's sexuality should not be considered when voting in high office holders, but it may be / is the case that he may not be voted into office if he comes out of the closet. He probably will prioritize his goals and keep his homosexuality a secret, so that his path to the presidency is easier.

Similarly, say there are football players driving gigantic Dodge Rams (ok, most vehicles can be considered gigantic next to Minis ), and they (who think Minis are gay) harass the Mini driver, up till the point where he can't concentrate on his school work (or some other bad thing happens to him). Is the belief that "Minis aren't gay" that important in this instance?

If I am the OP, I'll let my kid know the possible reactions to getting a Mini, and I'll leave it to him to decide for himself..