Bought Our Son A Car... Hope He Doesn't Gag!

[trmiv]

You should have got him a 1971 Cadillac Hardtop Sedan de Ville. Over 19 feet long, almost 2 and half tons, 472 ci engine, 375 horsepower, now that is a land yacht with some serious style!

 

[Thump553]

When I was 16 I drove my mother's baby blue 1962 Rambler Classic with push button automatic transmission and a steering wheel about 3 feet wide (and six turns lock to lock, none power steering). And I didn't even own the damn thing. The only vehicle I owned was a ten speed Schwinn.

I think somehow your son will survive his humiliation.

 

[Ornery]

Hey trmiv, I learned to drive in a car like that!

Actually, my dad taught me how to drive in a 1972 GMC half ton with "3 on the tree". After I got that figured out, my mom let me drive her Caddy, which was almost identical to that one. Wow! What a difference between that truck and her car! Been driving boats ever since.

I purchased this '77 Lincoln in 1982. It was five years old at the time. We babied it and kept it out of the snow for years. After our son was born in 1986 we joked about him getting that car when he was old enough. Well, he has driven it, but I wouldn't expect him to take it out on a date or anything. Needs rust repaired and the A/C fixed. Also could use a carburetor rebuild. I basically gave up on it when we made it into a daily driver 5 years ago. Haven't even washed it since. Still keeps thundering down the road without a hitch. 10MPG is the downside, but since I'm only 10 miles from work and gas is about a buck a gallon, who cares!

 

[Migroo]

<< 10MPG is the downside, but since I'm only 10 miles from work and gas is about a buck a gallon, who cares! >>



I hate to be the party pooper, but what about emissions? It may not be that expensive for you to run, but you are costing the earth a lot!

 

[Ornery]

That's only about 550 gallons of gas per year through an engine that passes emissions tests every other year. Besides that, my family's safety is worth more than a few hydro-carbons, isn't yours?

Edit: BTW, I paid $4,800 for the car when I bought it. I doubt I've put even $2,000 worth of parts in it since then, including tires, exhaust and batteries. Am I supposed to junk it and buy something else for the skae of "saving the earth"?

 

[flavio]

Well, it's not a cool car for a 16yr old really and it sucks on gas.

But hey, I'd make the kid work and buy his own damn car. That's what I had to do when I was 16.

 

[Migroo]

Fair enough point, those cars are rock solid.

My point is that given the same difference, a different car may output a LOT less hydrocarbons (wanna borrow my car? 1.4 litre remember). A different car, chosen wisely, cirtainly doesnt mean a more dangerous car.

Just wondering (I'm not being arsy here, i really DONT know) do those Lincolns have airbags? Side impact protection bars?

Anyway I think we have a duty to be responsible in the way we treat this place. (Take no notice of me, I must be disgruntled with society )

Edit: It may pass emissions tests, but that doesnt in anyway mean you are being responsible with the use of that car. The US govt. doesnt agree to follow emissions reduction policies set by other countries anyway...

 

[Migroo]

<< Edit: BTW, I paid $4,800 for the car when I bought it. I doubt I've put even $2,000 worth of parts in it since then, including tires, exhaust and batteries. Am I supposed to junk it and buy something else for the skae of "saving the earth"? >>



Another car doesnt have to be more expensive though!! My Dad's Toyota Estima Lucida is nearly 10 years old, and still with its stock exhaust!

And no, but I think people should drive a car that they are comfortable with. If you are comfortable with the fact that you could be doing less damage to the environment by driving a more economical car, thats fine. I'll leave this job to your conscience.

 

[Ornery]

You're too quick. You posted before I got my edit done:

• Edit: BTW, I paid $4,800 for the car when I bought it. I doubt I've put even $2,000 worth of parts in it since then, including tires, exhaust and batteries. Am I supposed to junk it and buy something else for the skae of "saving the earth"?

Just think of how I'm keeping that old iron from going to the scrap heap? I get more use out of old parts than anyone else I know. I usually buy new parts for my wife's vehicle, and use her old ones on mine. We used to have the exact same chassis on both, so it worked out. Now she's got a damn conversion van, so not everything is swapable.

I know it ain't "kewl" flavio, that's what I'm worried about. And I promised myself that my kids would be buying their own cars. I bought my first car and so did my wife. Now the time has come and I changed my mind. He can help pay for college if he wants, but he'll be in a safe, trouble free, rust free car for the time being. Hell, it gets 18MPG minimum, so that's no concern at all!

Edit: I'll leave this job to your conscience..."

Oh stop, I can't take it! I'm going to trade that behemoth in on a 1995 Buick Roadmaster tomorrow!

 

[Migroo]

Ok Ornery

Sorry, I didnt mean to spit blood Its just my opinion.

You should come visit the UK and its small corner of the world. You'd probably be surprised at the general attitude here when it comes to fuel economy.

Thanks.

 

[Ornery]

I know, I've read some of your posts in the other car threads. I feel sorry for you guys. But it would be cruel to have to drive a 4 banger after running V8 engines all these years! :Q

 

[flavio]

I just bought a '92 Acura Integra for $4000 about 6 months ago. It's sporty, quick, rust-free, safe, and gets about 30mpg.

Since you're in north-east Ohio big rear-wheel drive (right?) cars don't really handle so well in the snow. But I feel bad second-guessing your decision.

 

[yata]

Dad's new motto will be "if it's rockin', don't go knockin'."

 

[prontospyder]

I would of been very happy to get that car at 16....sure beats riding the bus.

But now that I'm 23, I wouldn't settle for anything less than a 2002 Altima...hehehe.

 

[Ornery]

Honestly flavio, the number one concern is safety. Number two would be the cost of upkeep and repair bills. I think the cost of fuel is so far down on the list that it wasn't even considered! Almost every patrolman in our city and most neighboring cities use this exact same car in our wretched winters, so that's not much of a concern either!

 

[Rickten]

wish I had a car. Age 19(almost 20), still don't have a car. I have to bum rides off people to get home during holidays and if I can't get one I'm stuck at college. Hope to god I find a ride for christmas break.

 

[lesch2k]

<<the number one concern is safety. >>

and it shoudl be, good idea for a car, it will work and make sure kid realizes he doest get everthing he wants.

 

[plight]

he'll probably be less likely to drive like an asshole in a grand marquis too

 

[MackGoose]

Ornery, He's gonna flip for a few seconds, and then be sort of mad. Then when his friends come over and realize they can all pile in the back, no problem. I had a friend who drove a 1928 with running boards and suicide doors. Coolest car on the lot. We all fit in it and went out. Your son will like it more with a few condoms in the glove box. Just kidding. Tell your wife that he can now take your youngest around on his errands. That will save her time to go look for a new car.

 

[Ornery]

Ugh, don't remind me about his friends! Just spent an hour trying to undo the mess one of his friends made of his PC. Finally figured out that TweakUI was installed by this "friend", for what I don't know. Got the network all dialed in again.

I can just imagine what kind of trouble these screwballs could cause riding in the back seat! :frown:

 

[Albatros]

Parents that buy there kids cars when they get their liscense are instantly deemed the coolest parents around by the kids friends. I praise you all mighty parent, for buying your kid a car.

 

[trmiv]

<< Hey trmiv, I learned to drive in a car like that!

>>



Haha, now that is car to learn to drive in. Everyone else on the road be damned! You probably didn't even notice if you hit anyone.


I got another car your kid would love. 67 Buick Electra 225 aka the Deuce and a Quarter. I would have loved to roll a car like that when I was 16. Here's another shot I found. 4300 pounds of pure American steel.

 

[GoSharks]

dang.. im pretty sure that when i get my license i am going to be driving my dad's 1984 mercedes 300sd with only 200k+ miles on the thing.. and another 200K to go. lol

 

[GoldenTiger]

I'd be happy with it .

 

[Ornery]

Thanks again for the encouragement Albatros, GoldenTiger and so many others. It may not be so kewl, but I got the Cd player in. I postponed the detailing till it quits raining here. If nothing else, he'll be distracted from the grandpa image by lots of new buttons and shiny chrome!

I can't believe your choice of cars, trmiv! The last car my grandfather purchased before retirement was a 1968 Buick Electra 225. It was burgundy with black vinyl top and black leather interior. It smelled new it's whole life. He owned it till he died about 10 years ago. I could have gotten the car from my grandmother, but she was down in Florida, so my cousin ended up with it. He trashed it within a year :| I'm still kicking myself for not getting it...