Ungrateful offspring....
Discussion
N-TY4C said:
I bought my sprog a Kia Rio for £125. Runs beautifully. She refuses to be picked up in it let alone drive it. I think consulting kids before buying them gifts is a good idea. She is now saving up for a mini and I am using the Kia for recycling centre runs to take DIY rubble and rubbish from the garden.
I struggle with this...you get some ribbing from your mates and maybe the odd random and then in a month or so, it all gets boring and they move onto taking the piss out of something else. I'd rather have a Kia Rio than a small percentage of a fund for a Mini.AyBee said:
N-TY4C said:
I bought my sprog a Kia Rio for £125. Runs beautifully. She refuses to be picked up in it let alone drive it. I think consulting kids before buying them gifts is a good idea. She is now saving up for a mini and I am using the Kia for recycling centre runs to take DIY rubble and rubbish from the garden.
I struggle with this...you get some ribbing from your mates and maybe the odd random and then in a month or so, it all gets boring and they move onto taking the piss out of something else. I'd rather have a Kia Rio than a small percentage of a fund for a Mini.3 years ago my "darling daughter" had this... fantastic little 2006 run about with 8k miles on it !!!
4 months later it looked like this !!!
No real appreciation of the initial cost and that a 7 year old KA with no rust and less than 10k on the clock would be nigh on impossible to find again...
The days she has to rely on her student rail card to enable her to travel around... although she did buy a 2001 Mazda 323 for £350 last year and drove it for 6 months until the MOT ran out and then sold it on e-bay for £120
4 months later it looked like this !!!
No real appreciation of the initial cost and that a 7 year old KA with no rust and less than 10k on the clock would be nigh on impossible to find again...
The days she has to rely on her student rail card to enable her to travel around... although she did buy a 2001 Mazda 323 for £350 last year and drove it for 6 months until the MOT ran out and then sold it on e-bay for £120
Lads reaction is understandable, if a bit blunt (i realise i am coming to this thread late!)
I did something similar with my old man with my first bike, though i didnt mean it as he took it IYSWIM.
I had a suzuki TS50X (80cc bore kit!) and that was what i learned my CBT on and ran to school and back when i was 16, my mate however had a brand new Aprilia 50cc RS, however i knew dad would never buy a new bike (buying new cars and bikes was unthinkable to my dad for quite a long time). My suzuki was bought and restored by dad (i helped a bit now and then, mostly painting it)
However my second bike when i turned 17 was a 1987 TZR 125 Yamaha, it was brush painted green and purple, but we got it running with a cracked water jacket just to see if it went, and old man told me to not change gear going up our lane and go to the power band! that was fun experience.
However a few weeks later i was talking about how the bike was so much more comfortable than the old TSx, and my old man came back quite loudly that i never appreciated that 50cc bike and after all the work he put in etc, but all i meant was that i was really grateful he got me the TZR (again a resto project for us) and that i really liked clip ons over the flat bars of the scrambler, so i realise 17 year old lads are awkward knobs at the best of times
First car was a £60 beige mini auto bought from a ropey caravan park, and a £40 manual engine taken from a scrap yard found mini, along with its choco brown interior, we swapped the engines over in a day, refitted the new interior and sprayed the car in our shed. Champagne Beige with a green roof!
It was ace, i loved that car.
My cousin's daughter is driving soon, and she is basically expecting a new\newish corsa, as my cousin was basically part of the dad and me team, he had plenty of resto rot boxes for his cars, so she may be in for a shock!
However i did have a 1.4 R reg VW polo 2 door, and it was an ace car, and all my mates liked it (i was 24 at the time by then so not a knobhead youth).
As some have said, have a chat with the boy and see what his issue is, as he may simply believe that its unsafe (cars without electronic windows are almost as rare as rocking horse poo nowadays in kids minds) Also not having a CD player in his mind might mean he can never get one, does he have a part time job? If not, how is he supposed to listen to his choones at massive volumes
Hopefully you sort something out
I did something similar with my old man with my first bike, though i didnt mean it as he took it IYSWIM.
I had a suzuki TS50X (80cc bore kit!) and that was what i learned my CBT on and ran to school and back when i was 16, my mate however had a brand new Aprilia 50cc RS, however i knew dad would never buy a new bike (buying new cars and bikes was unthinkable to my dad for quite a long time). My suzuki was bought and restored by dad (i helped a bit now and then, mostly painting it)
However my second bike when i turned 17 was a 1987 TZR 125 Yamaha, it was brush painted green and purple, but we got it running with a cracked water jacket just to see if it went, and old man told me to not change gear going up our lane and go to the power band! that was fun experience.
However a few weeks later i was talking about how the bike was so much more comfortable than the old TSx, and my old man came back quite loudly that i never appreciated that 50cc bike and after all the work he put in etc, but all i meant was that i was really grateful he got me the TZR (again a resto project for us) and that i really liked clip ons over the flat bars of the scrambler, so i realise 17 year old lads are awkward knobs at the best of times
First car was a £60 beige mini auto bought from a ropey caravan park, and a £40 manual engine taken from a scrap yard found mini, along with its choco brown interior, we swapped the engines over in a day, refitted the new interior and sprayed the car in our shed. Champagne Beige with a green roof!
It was ace, i loved that car.
My cousin's daughter is driving soon, and she is basically expecting a new\newish corsa, as my cousin was basically part of the dad and me team, he had plenty of resto rot boxes for his cars, so she may be in for a shock!
However i did have a 1.4 R reg VW polo 2 door, and it was an ace car, and all my mates liked it (i was 24 at the time by then so not a knobhead youth).
As some have said, have a chat with the boy and see what his issue is, as he may simply believe that its unsafe (cars without electronic windows are almost as rare as rocking horse poo nowadays in kids minds) Also not having a CD player in his mind might mean he can never get one, does he have a part time job? If not, how is he supposed to listen to his choones at massive volumes
Hopefully you sort something out
I bought my son his first car when he passed his test. He had wild visions of Clio Sports / SRi things etc but i knew his first car would get trashed either be him / friends, his face nearly fell through the floor when i turned up with a poverty spec Clio (wheel trims / keep fit windows / basic CD player) but it was mechanically safe.
He had 2 choices, be grateful and 'learn' to drive in it or sell it and buy something else with HIS money. Wisely he picked the first option. And Dad was right, in the first few months he had driven into several kerbs, mates had spilt drinks, someone keyed it and eventually it was written off in a minor non fault prang.
To be fair once he understood my theory behind his first car, he loved it, cleaned it every week etc and even gave it a name (we did have words about that!)
He had 2 choices, be grateful and 'learn' to drive in it or sell it and buy something else with HIS money. Wisely he picked the first option. And Dad was right, in the first few months he had driven into several kerbs, mates had spilt drinks, someone keyed it and eventually it was written off in a minor non fault prang.
To be fair once he understood my theory behind his first car, he loved it, cleaned it every week etc and even gave it a name (we did have words about that!)
addsvrs said:
I bought my son his first car when he passed his test. He had wild visions of Clio Sports / SRi things etc but i knew his first car would get trashed either be him / friends, his face nearly fell through the floor when i turned up with a poverty spec Clio (wheel trims / keep fit windows / basic CD player) but it was mechanically safe.
He had 2 choices, be grateful and 'learn' to drive in it or sell it and buy something else with HIS money. Wisely he picked the first option. And Dad was right, in the first few months he had driven into several kerbs, mates had spilt drinks, someone keyed it and eventually it was written off in a minor non fault prang.
To be fair once he understood my theory behind his first car, he loved it, cleaned it every week etc and even gave it a name (we did have words about that!)
I give my cars names.....dont know why.He had 2 choices, be grateful and 'learn' to drive in it or sell it and buy something else with HIS money. Wisely he picked the first option. And Dad was right, in the first few months he had driven into several kerbs, mates had spilt drinks, someone keyed it and eventually it was written off in a minor non fault prang.
To be fair once he understood my theory behind his first car, he loved it, cleaned it every week etc and even gave it a name (we did have words about that!)
Current one is Eddie....as its a honda, E. Honda....from Streetfighter......
I was very very lucky in that my parents decided to incentivise me into a car based off GCSE results (this was 2006 exams).
Ended up with a 2003 Corsa sxi in gold and a good set of results. To say I was chuffed is an understatement. I actually got it a few weeks before turning 17 and washed it every weekend despite it not actually going anywhere.
If anything the lad in my year who got the J reg escort with a lot of miles on it was even more ecstatic. It's all about the perceived value of money I believe.
Ended up with a 2003 Corsa sxi in gold and a good set of results. To say I was chuffed is an understatement. I actually got it a few weeks before turning 17 and washed it every weekend despite it not actually going anywhere.
If anything the lad in my year who got the J reg escort with a lot of miles on it was even more ecstatic. It's all about the perceived value of money I believe.
I was generously bought a Polo Breadvan as well for my 17th birthday which also cost my dad £150, way back in the "old" days (well, 14 years ago in 2002)
Would I ever have "chosen" it given the choice of car? Probably not. Did I care that some of my peers had "better" cars? No. Did they take the piss? A little bit. Did I care? No.
Did I crash the car? A little bit. Only cost £15 to put back together. Did peers crash their cars and then their daddy not replace the £5,000 car they had spent but only shelled out for affordable TPFT on? Yes. Then my car made more sense.
None of my mates cared that I had a "crap" car because I had "a" car which they did not. And because my parents don't live anywhere with public transport except on a Wednesday morning, I relished the freedom that having this crap car bought for me allowed me to have.
but we are all different.
I've missed most of this thread, I bet everyone else has already said a lot of this, but, kids now even more than the few years since I was one myself, are exposed to everyone else on social media having everything new and now and not having to slum it. Maybe there's mileage to be had in a popular YouTube celebrity making do with the generoisty of their well-meaning parents?
Would I ever have "chosen" it given the choice of car? Probably not. Did I care that some of my peers had "better" cars? No. Did they take the piss? A little bit. Did I care? No.
Did I crash the car? A little bit. Only cost £15 to put back together. Did peers crash their cars and then their daddy not replace the £5,000 car they had spent but only shelled out for affordable TPFT on? Yes. Then my car made more sense.
None of my mates cared that I had a "crap" car because I had "a" car which they did not. And because my parents don't live anywhere with public transport except on a Wednesday morning, I relished the freedom that having this crap car bought for me allowed me to have.
but we are all different.
I've missed most of this thread, I bet everyone else has already said a lot of this, but, kids now even more than the few years since I was one myself, are exposed to everyone else on social media having everything new and now and not having to slum it. Maybe there's mileage to be had in a popular YouTube celebrity making do with the generoisty of their well-meaning parents?
This is a car forum, so people have views on the cars obviously. Fair enough. But the bottom line is, in the OP's example, the guy is 17, almost a man by age, but still with everything that's worth knowing to learn. If your parents go out and buy you a car, from the kindness of their hearts, what ever it is, it is them acknowledging that you are growing up and they trust you with your freedom and they are trying to give you a small leg up to move on in life. This is the main point. To throw it back in his dad's face (even though it may have been resolved now) is almost beyond a rational mind's understanding, but it is only when this lad goes out into the real world will he appreciate the cost of things, the value of things and what his father is trying to do. He will realise is street cred and what of bunch of image obsessed fools think important? No. Is getting my daily business done and being able to get about easily. Yes.
Edited by TheTechnician on Wednesday 4th May 15:56
If my Dad bought me a 2CV and shoved it in my face and said "here, take it" I'd be more pissed off than appreciative.
And no, neither of my parents particularly helped me out financially, at least not with car stuff.
For me as a car enthusiast I would be like, hey cool, a Breadvan, cheap car, boom - but to someone who doesn't know or like cars, it's just an old tatty Polo owned by some old biddy who had a wee-bag and while all of their mates are getting new Corsas Ltd Editions they are stuck with a tatty old Polo.... not sure if it's his kids fault or societies fault or even him as a parent.
Being one of the younger members on the forum I can see it both ways. You should appreciate what you are offered/given but at the same time the old addage "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" isn't really applicable. Just because something is a gift doesn't mean you have to like it/appreciate it/want it.
And no, neither of my parents particularly helped me out financially, at least not with car stuff.
For me as a car enthusiast I would be like, hey cool, a Breadvan, cheap car, boom - but to someone who doesn't know or like cars, it's just an old tatty Polo owned by some old biddy who had a wee-bag and while all of their mates are getting new Corsas Ltd Editions they are stuck with a tatty old Polo.... not sure if it's his kids fault or societies fault or even him as a parent.
Being one of the younger members on the forum I can see it both ways. You should appreciate what you are offered/given but at the same time the old addage "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" isn't really applicable. Just because something is a gift doesn't mean you have to like it/appreciate it/want it.
xjay1337 said:
If my Dad bought me a 2CV and shoved it in my face and said "here, take it" I'd be more pissed off than appreciative.
And no, neither of my parents particularly helped me out financially, at least not with car stuff.
For me as a car enthusiast I would be like, hey cool, a Breadvan, cheap car, boom - but to someone who doesn't know or like cars, it's just an old tatty Polo owned by some old biddy who had a wee-bag and while all of their mates are getting new Corsas Ltd Editions they are stuck with a tatty old Polo.... not sure if it's his kids fault or societies fault or even him as a parent.
Being one of the younger members on the forum I can see it both ways. You should appreciate what you are offered/given but at the same time the old addage "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" isn't really applicable. Just because something is a gift doesn't mean you have to like it/appreciate it/want it.
Indeed, this is a good point. I'm only 22 myself and can see both ways like yourself. You don't have to like it/appreciate it/want it, but then the onus would be on you to sort yourself out, as you, I and many others have done, whether that be carefully explaining to dad and selling the Polo on, saving your own money to fund what you want or getting the bus. But to demean your dad's efforts by calling it a POS is not on in my book, but then as I mentioned he will only realise this in the future once he has learnt.And no, neither of my parents particularly helped me out financially, at least not with car stuff.
For me as a car enthusiast I would be like, hey cool, a Breadvan, cheap car, boom - but to someone who doesn't know or like cars, it's just an old tatty Polo owned by some old biddy who had a wee-bag and while all of their mates are getting new Corsas Ltd Editions they are stuck with a tatty old Polo.... not sure if it's his kids fault or societies fault or even him as a parent.
Being one of the younger members on the forum I can see it both ways. You should appreciate what you are offered/given but at the same time the old addage "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" isn't really applicable. Just because something is a gift doesn't mean you have to like it/appreciate it/want it.
Edited by TheTechnician on Wednesday 4th May 16:13
Sheepshanks said:
Was it still on its original tyres?
Sadly for the old lady who had owned previously it no... looking at the service history the main dealer saw her as a regular donor to their holiday fund...
You could say she had been "fleeced" and nothing to do with living in Bridgend !!
TooMany2cvs said:
Sheepshanks said:
Seesure said:
7 year old KA with no rust and less than 10k on the clock
Was it still on its original tyres?"Too much speed and too little skill?"
Followed by all sorts of excuses.... about why it wasn't her fault...
Seesure said:
TooMany2cvs said:
Sheepshanks said:
Seesure said:
7 year old KA with no rust and less than 10k on the clock
Was it still on its original tyres?"Too much speed and too little skill?"
Followed by all sorts of excuses.... about why it wasn't her fault...
Seesure said:
3 years ago my "darling daughter" had this... fantastic little 2006 run about with 8k miles on it !!!
4 months later it looked like this !!!
No real appreciation of the initial cost and that a 7 year old KA with no rust and less than 10k on the clock would be nigh on impossible to find again...
The days she has to rely on her student rail card to enable her to travel around... although she did buy a 2001 Mazda 323 for £350 last year and drove it for 6 months until the MOT ran out and then sold it on e-bay for £120
This is exactly why it is a waste of time buying a decent first car for most people. Once six months to a year have passed without issue, fair enough. As said, sadly another mint car pointlessly removed from circulation. 4 months later it looked like this !!!
No real appreciation of the initial cost and that a 7 year old KA with no rust and less than 10k on the clock would be nigh on impossible to find again...
The days she has to rely on her student rail card to enable her to travel around... although she did buy a 2001 Mazda 323 for £350 last year and drove it for 6 months until the MOT ran out and then sold it on e-bay for £120
k-ink said:
StottyEvo said:
My apologies I take that back, I just bought my brother an Xbox One for his birthday. But I spoke to him the week before and asked him which he preferred, the Xbox One or PS4 etc and asked reasons why. From there I knew what he would like.
Funnily enough I gave him a wrapped Xbox One game (He only had an Xbox 360) he wasn't bothered and asked if I'd kept the receipt so we could change it (he even thanked me for it) then I pulled out the Xbox One and he couldn't believe it. Surprises done right people
Saying that, if I was the OPs son I'd be over the moon with the Polo, I think its a properly cool first car.
Reminds me of many many years ago. I bought my Mum a newly released film on DVD. She said "Oh lovely, but I only have the VHS player". No worries I thought, "Now open this other present"... (Sony DVD player). Funnily enough I gave him a wrapped Xbox One game (He only had an Xbox 360) he wasn't bothered and asked if I'd kept the receipt so we could change it (he even thanked me for it) then I pulled out the Xbox One and he couldn't believe it. Surprises done right people
Saying that, if I was the OPs son I'd be over the moon with the Polo, I think its a properly cool first car.
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