How do you convince your dad to get you a foreign car?

Question

My dad is an EXTREMELY back woods dad that only beleives in getting me a dodge or a Chevy for my 16th birthday. I REALLY want a Honda Civic and he disagrees by saying "I don't beleive in any of that foreign stuff." I want a car, but ya'll know how bad a junky dodges are, and that's what he has his mind set to. Can anyone tell me how to convince him to get me ANYTHING forgein???

And I'm really not trying to sound like a brat. I know that a lot of people are dying to even have a car, and I know I do sound like a brat, but this car would last me through out High scool and college years, so I would like a good one. I would really like anything that my dad gives me, but I just would prefer a forgein one. :)

Answer 1

Get him to drive one! Honda make some of the best cars in the world (even if I do hate their commercials) and a lot of American cars are - I'm sorry to say - poorly built; when they say a car is "the safest American mid-range saloon in it's class" you know that it really means that EVERY foreign car tested as being safer, and every car in every other class tested as being safer too. Persuade him to try out a Honda and he'll probably love it even if he won't admit it.

Answer 2

Well, as a compromise, consider purchasing an "American" car such as the Pontiac Vibe. The Vibe is basically a Toyota Matrix, but it's sold by Pontiac.

Another alternative might be a Japanese brand that is mostly or entirely owned by an American company. Mazda is 33.9% owned by Ford, and the Mazda 3 is a very nice car. Many Ford products are based off of Mazda platforms now.

You might consider a Dodge Stratus coupe (not the four door sedan) which is built on the Mitsubishi Eclipse platform.

Lastly, if he's set on an American car, see if he'd buy you a Saturn Aura. They are REALLY nice cars, and this is coming from someone who does not think much of American built automobiles.

Answer 3

Do a research paper for him siting facts about Dodge or Chevy compared to Honda Civic. Tell him that, you want a car for a long run and a gas saver. Let him also know that most of the foreign cars are manufactured in AMERICA by AMERICANS...

Answer 4

First, don't go knocking American cars. That will only cause him to dig in his heels.

Second, go find a car that you REALLY like. Talk about gas mileage, maintenence history and all the economics that might help.
Don't talk about repair costs or maintenence schedules, because they stink.

Then go back and show him the car you REALLY,Really like. Getting him to get you something that you want is going to be key here.

As far as buying American Iron goes, I think it's your best bet, regardless of what the naysayers tell you. Any vehicle will hold up well when it has the maintenence schedule of a Honda to adhere to. Look into it.

A good bet is to see what percentage of your American vehicles are produced on foreign soils compared to the foreign car you want... but if it boils down to what your Dad can work on and what he can't, you have to work from that angle.

Answer 5

if daddy is buying daddy is choosing.
however, my dad is also pro American, & my first 2 cars were American (Jeeps back when a Jeep was a Jeep and not a crappy dodge).

Regarless, I asked his advice last year when I bought a new car (a Toyota FJ Cruiser) I picked out 3 SUV's asked my dad to check them out and he did a side by side comparison on all 3 & actually advised me to buy the FJ much to my suprise. pick out a few American cars & have your dad compare them - also a lot of "American cars" aren't made in America - Honda Civics however are made in Ohio, so techinically it is a USA made car.

But if you are getting a car as a gift, don't complain, no matter what you get. Good Luck.

Answer 6

You're going to have to convince him with facts. Start doing research on all the problems that dodge or chevy's have and find some information on hondas, as well. You are going to have to show him that it is a better buy to get a Honda, rather than to buy a US car, that is going to continualy break down. You should start with Consumer Reports, they test cars all the time.

Also, appeal to his sympathies and tell him you are afraid of being stalled on the side of the road in the dark because the chevy broke down. That should get him!

Answer 7

In addition to what Shakeen said, you might want to ask him which car is more foreign -- the American Car made with foreign parts or the the foreign car built in the USA. This argument works best if the car you want is actually built in the USA.

Answer 8

buy your own car!