Does wanting a sports car or muscle car make someone a bad parent?

A little background: Since I was 19 I have been into and worked on cars. It's in my blood, I just love fast cars, Mustangs in particular. I used to have 2 or 3 at a time.

When I was pregnant with my son I had to sell my 1985 GT Mustang. It was fine when it was just me. I had removed the air conditioning because I never used it and it was cluttering up the engine department. It had exhaust leaks, needed tires, needed the drivers side window track fixed, and other nit picky things. It would have cost around $2000 worth of work for it to be safe fom my baby to be in.

I sold it and paid cash for a 1996 v6 mustang. I liked it but it started giving me trouble within a few weeks. So I sold it and another older car. I had to buy something better. I finally gave in and bought a new car, a 2010 nissan cube.

Now a couple of years later I'm really missing my old mustangs. I want a 1990-1993 Mustang sooo bad. When I get my tax return I thought about using it to buy one. I could get something decent for around $4000 but would probably need a little fixing up but I could pay cash for it. If I traded in my car plus $4000 I could get something around $10,000 and not have payments. Probably a 1999-2004. If I traded my car, gave $4000 down payment and borrowed money I could afford around $18,200.

Now here's the big issue with getting a mustang. My parents always get mad when I talk about getting one. They think a 2 door will be too hard to get my son in and out of. I don't think it would be too bad since he's in a front facing car seat. They also act like Mustangs are unsafe. I have no idea why. I've driven them for years, I even learned to drive in the snow in a 1988 Mustang and a 1999 Cobra. The gas mileage isn't always great usually 18-21 city and up to 29 mpg highway. My cube gets 30 mpg, but I don't drive much. The first year I had it I only drove 7200 miles.

What do you think? Ignore them and get a Mustang anyways? Hold on to the cube? I don't know what to do. I live in the same house with them so I'd have to deal with them a lot. (no, moving out is not an option.)

Help!

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Asked by Anonymous at 10:35 AM on Jan. 27, 2012 in Parenting Debate

Answers (21)

I had a 1979 Mustang Cobra when my son was little. He had no problem getting in and out of the backseat...he was little, and as he got older he'd have rathered to get in and out of the backseat of a Mustang Cobra than a Dodge Caravan (no offense to Caravan owners) because of the cool factor.

Really, I don't see the problem. You have to drive it, enjoy it.

Answer by ohwrite at 10:37 AM on Jan. 27, 2012
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No it doesn't make you a bad parent.

Answer by meooma at 10:41 AM on Jan. 27, 2012
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Only if you can't afford it.

Answer by Anonymous at 10:46 AM on Jan. 27, 2012

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Wanting one or even owning one does not make you a bad parent. When you put that need before your child's needs that's when you cross the line. However, in your situation, I would NOT trade in the car you have now. You keep buying and trading, buying and trading and you are doing nothing but losing money. Until you have your own place and you have your car paid off, I would not buy a Mustang. You need at least one dependable car and from my experience with Mustangs and from what you have posted about your experience, Mustangs are not dependable.

Answer by JeremysMom at 10:46 AM on Jan. 27, 2012
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BTW, if you have to borrow money you can't afford it.
How is college and retirement savings coming along?

Answer by Anonymous at 10:46 AM on Jan. 27, 2012

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is your Nissan giving you problems? is it not financially better to keep what you have, rather than lose money on a trade-in or have to borrow more?
i think you need to use your tax refund for something worthwhile..like savings or bills. perhaps payoff the Nissan, or get closer to it?
sorry, but your reasoning sounds kind of immature.

Answer by dullscissors at 10:50 AM on Jan. 27, 2012
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Save the dreams for when the kid(s) are out of the house

Answer by butterflyblue19 at 10:54 AM on Jan. 27, 2012
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I have a very small 2 door car, mitsubishi eclipse spyder. My 5 year old is still in a front facing toddler carseat. It is a little tight to get the carseat into the car but once it is in i don't have any problems getting her in and out of it.

Answer by amymartinez0214 at 10:58 AM on Jan. 27, 2012
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I hope not - my husband drives a classic Porsche! I think you have to think about what's practical and make sure you are making smart financial decisions. You're still living with your parents - do you plan on moving out ever and would keeping the car you have let you save more money?
But I don't think having any particular car makes anyone a bad parent.

Answer by missanc at 11:13 AM on Jan. 27, 2012
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Nope I have always wanted a 65 mustang GTO though I doubt I will ever get it. Right now on tax return we are getting a second vehicle one only my dh will drive for work. ( at least that's my goal because I like and want the truck) Any way only way he'll do it is if he gets a muscle car. So I am currently trying to convince him to get the corvette for 2k.

Answer by hot-mama86 at 11:19 AM on Jan. 27, 2012
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