In your first version:
if [$answer="y"];
You need spaces around everything:
if [ $answer = "y" ]
Get additional acceptable responses:
if [ $answer = "y" -o $answer = "Y" -o $answer = "yes" -o $answer = "YES" ]
That semicolon is not needed. It's often used to put the next logical line on the same physical line.

Your second version looks OK, except I've never done multiple conditions in a case statement with the pipe like you did. Bottom line, if it works, go for it.
Except, again, you've got the message that it started AFTER it finishes. (I.E. The called script executes to completion, THEN the message that it started shows up.)