With the write off of the family car and an insurance payout coming we have to replace the car right? We have a Subaru as the second car that is getting real long in the tooth - doesn't run smooth , cuts out on hard acceleration, battery is struggling to turn it over.

My thinking is to use the Sub as trade in on a replacement and buy a going Mini for the occasional use second car - any suggestions on how to convince SWMBO the plan is sound and has merit?

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Its easier to ask forgiveness than to ask for permissson

Just do it

Tell her you are recycling

Step 1 - get a video camera .

Step 2 - bribe the nurse in recovery to let you in when Sue get's out of theater doped to the eyeballs after having her ankle and foot set .

Step 3 - ask her about getting a cute little mini then while filming her saying yes .

Step 4 - Buy the mini while Sue's still in hospital .

Step 5 - Hide enough clothes and toiletries into the spare room before Sue get's home , this one is very important ...

Step 6 - Replay the video when Sue get's home and finds the new mini . you might be in the spare room for a while but Sue won't be able to chase after you for a while to throw things and you'll have a new mini out of it

Remember , it's easier to get forgivness than it is to get permission

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sounds good, but having been incredibly lucky surviving one serious accident, how quick would you want your family to go back into a car with no airbags and 1959 design & technology?

I guess it depends on the definition of an occasional use second car.
KB

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Convince her of the benefits of an efficient and appreciating asset...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Your all a pack of Sicko's

But I like it.................

This sounds like you've been here before!!!!!!!!!!!!

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Why do you think I included step 5 , it's the most important one ....

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Thats what made me ask the question!!!!!

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

My 5c: You've just seen the benefit of modern safety technology. How much do you really want your family members to be driving around in something with the crash integrity of a Coke can?

I drive the Mini a few times a week, and pretty much only by myself. I don't have seatbelts in the rear partly because the car never had them, but mostly because I don't want the temptation of carrying my kids in it. My wife won't drive it, so I'm safe there.

If it were me, I'd go buy something with curtain airbags.

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Don't get me wrong guys - we are replaceing the family car with another equivalent model - The Subaru is just a second car the I mainly (read only) drive when Sue is out in the other - it's a run about. I'm thinking a Mini will do the job just as well. It's either that or an old 4WD like a Toyota LC FJ45 wagon

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Sounds like a good plan.

Go out & buy one now while you can still out run her with a cast on

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Too many cars, and too little time.

My point is not that a Mini is a poor choice as a second-car runabout, but mostly based on the fact that most accidents happen within a few K's of home, "running about".

Where I live we have a lot of heavy truck traffic on residential streets, and there's just no way I'm going to risk the family getting clobbered in the Mini by some lunatic with 18 wheels doing 70 in a 50 zone at the end of my street.

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Simon

The adventures of an owner builder in the Tallarook Ranges

Follow sports850's rules/steps/mantra (you could call it that) but dont forget to add .....

"......the subaru is going to cost at least as much as a mini to get it to run anywhere near half decent and it isnt increasing in value like a mini at the moment. Imagine how much an engine rebuild for the subaru is going to cost if that is the cause of its poor running? what about if the gearbox or 1 or all 3 diffs pack it in? I cant do that here by myself i'll have to send it to a dealer and they are not going to help me fix it, they just want to fleece US of our hard earned $$$$. Where as the mini is easy to fix and if i have any dramas there are plenty of people i can turn to to ask therefore saving $$$$ on labour at least and the parts are cheaper, it will use much less fuel which is a good idea etc, etc......dont forget to remind her that it will be Your Run About and also a fun car, not a boring run of the mill old mans car which brings no joy to the world like a mini. They make everyone smile and wave......"
Worth a shot as a second wave supportive arguement to sports850's "steps".
Good Luck

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

I like both your styles

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!