Anonymous wrote:Carmax gives little to nothing (won’t buy) German cars over eight years old because of the electrical issues. Would you buy a car that Carmax won’t touch?

Cite please? This wasn’t our experience at all.

Then don't argue. Let your daughter do the research, make her choice, and live with the consequences. As a parent, I would gift her with a AAA membership.

I gifted both my kids with AAA memberships (found at that AAA comes out to help even if they are passengers in a friends car).

Done deal. Since it was her money and she's 18....bought WV Beetle Convertible for her to share with her brother. If things go south with the car I'll try hard not to say I told you so.

That being said - we know the car history and a mechanic friend gave his blessing. Fingers crossed.

Unless you can do your own car maintenance, the only way to own a Mini is to buy it new (or nearly new) and ditch it once the warranty expires.

I almost bought a VW once, and the dealership pulled such a shady bait and switch that I ran far away. Telling me the car I had put a deposit on was not actually available, ooops on their part, but they had a similar one with just a few extra features for $2000 more. I said sure, as long as it's for the same price we already agreed to and for which I'd already written a check. The dealership said no, pay extra. I said, no, give me my money back.

tl;dr: Skip both of these cars. They're designed for enthusiasts who know their way under the hood, and will completely hose anyone just buying because of aesthetics.

Anonymous wrote:

Let me be horribly sexist and say “no”. They both sound like “girl” cars, and I do not want my college age daughter stuck on the side of a road somewhere. Toyota Solara, perhaps? Miata?

I still think about the college girl whose car broke down somewhere in the Midwest and she didn’t have a cell phone. 1990s. I don’t recall the details.

Except her (yes it's a daughter) BFF has had a Mini for years and has had good experience...never been stranded...only usual upkeep costs. No big repairs needed. So making it hard to argue against....

Then don't argue. Let your daughter do the research, make her choice, and live with the consequences. As a parent, I would gift her with a AAA membership.

No.

Ever since the late seventies, my mechanic father has been telling me that VWs are pure junk.

I would get a used Honda Civic/Accord or a used Toyota Corolla/Camary.

If you cannot find one at your price range, then perhaps a Nissan Versa/Sentra.

Good luck!

Would not buy a convertible for a young (inexperienced) driver

Anonymous wrote:Carmax gives little to nothing (won’t buy) German cars over eight years old because of the electrical issues. Would you buy a car that Carmax won’t touch?

Ha! I just sold my 2006 VW Beetle convertible to Carmax a few months ago. Had 88K miles. Got $1000.

No, find a civic in the $4k range.

Would never touch a VW product post 50k miles or out of warranty. Will take a Toyota with 150k miles any day, especially Toyota/Lexus cars built in Japan, not too many models, but those that are built in Japan are good for 200-300k miles, like a 4runner or GX 460.

Niece had one in college and it caught on fire.

Probably just a pointless headache. You could probably get a 2 year lease on new Mini Cooper for around $5k. Just do that and pay it in cash up front. Far less headache and no maintenance or tows to worry about.

Let me be horribly sexist and say “no”. They both sound like “girl” cars, and I do not want my college age daughter stuck on the side of a road somewhere. Toyota Solara, perhaps? Miata?

I still think about the college girl whose car broke down somewhere in the Midwest and she didn’t have a cell phone. 1990s. I don’t recall the details.

Except her (yes it's a daughter) BFF has had a Mini for years and has had good experience...never been stranded...only usual upkeep costs. No big repairs needed. So making it hard to argue against....

Anonymous wrote:Let me be horribly sexist and say “no”. They both sound like “girl” cars, and I do not want my college age daughter stuck on the side of a road somewhere. Toyota Solara, perhaps? Miata?

I still think about the college girl whose car broke down somewhere in the Midwest and she didn’t have a cell phone. 1990s. I don’t recall the details.

Miata is a great choice if you can find one. I drove mine for 20 years before finally giving it up. Look for a later model though, the early ones aren’t particularly safe.