My wife thinks I m nuts

[rbh]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

I must have misread the OP. I thought he asked for advice on the practicality of the jag, not opinions on his parenting decisions...

Both of my friends who have owned Jags had problems with the low clearance WRT to the amount of snow we get around here. Jags aren't very good in winter.

If you get lots of snow, (and I believe WI does) and if you are rural...(so clearing may not be really swift)...I'd agree with the Subaru suggestion.
The Foresters are pretty good, and have twice the road clearance of a Jag.

Tim, opinions are like butts!
Everyone has one and they come in all shapes and sizes.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Tim, opinions are like butts!
Everyone has one and they come in all shapes and sizes.

Couldn't agree more...

But it always amazes me that people will jump in with opinions and advice on an issue that was not even raised.
Kind of like if your wife asked whether roast beef would be a good choice for Friday dinner and you respond by telling her that the dress DOES make her butt look bigger....

Might not end badly, but sure isn't going to end well!

 

[rbh]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Couldn't agree more...

But it always amazes me that people will jump in with opinions and advice on an issue that was not even raised.
Kind of like if your wife asked whether roast beef would be a good choice for Friday dinner and you respond by telling her that the dress DOES make her butt look bigger....

Might not end badly, but sure isn't going to end well!

I do see your point, I just read into it were his wife thinks he is crazy/nuts to get the 16 year old a jag, so just juggled the results alittle when I posted.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

I must have misread the OP. I thought he asked for advice on the practicality of the jag, not opinions on his parenting decisions...

Both of my friends who have owned Jags had problems with the low clearance WRT to the amount of snow we get around here. Jags aren't very good in winter.

If you get lots of snow, (and I believe WI does) and if you are rural...(so clearing may not be really swift)...I'd agree with the Subaru suggestion.
The Foresters are pretty good, and have twice the road clearance of a Jag.

Heck yea!
An all wheel drive Jag loaded up with half a dozen friends pretending to be in the Press-On-Regardless SCCA on-offroad rally thru some Wisconsin two-tracks.
Did you know you can squeal all four tires on a dirt two-track if you take the corners fat enough and use the emergency brake at the right time?
Those air-bags might be a fantastic safety feature.

 

[lncoop]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Tim, opinions are like butts!
Everyone has one and they come in all shapes and sizes.

And of course they all stink.

 

[skargo]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

I must have misread the OP. I thought he asked for advice on the practicality of the jag, not opinions on his parenting decisions...

Both of my friends who have owned Jags had problems with the low clearance WRT to the amount of snow we get around here. Jags aren't very good in winter.

If you get lots of snow, (and I believe WI does) and if you are rural...(so clearing may not be really swift)...I'd agree with the Subaru suggestion.
The Foresters are pretty good, and have twice the road clearance of a Jag.

It's not the kids who didn't have a car given to them that are on the spoiling side. It's kids who were forced by there parents to earn it. You and I skargo had to earn it because our parents couldn't give it too us, not because they made us by choice.

I for one think that every kid id sooooo different that there is no way for any of "us" to know what is best for the op

I like these guys!

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

"He is a very good kid, always A's and B+'s. Plus the insurance is only $600.00 a year with him as the primary driver. That is with a vette and a mustang gt convert in the garage as well.(he does not get to drive those.) They are not that expensive either. a 60k unit is about 9k tops. They are really nice cars, the interiors are fantastic."


After reading all the whining about how impoverished some of us here were and our first rides were POS junyard refugees, I think we need to look at the realities of the OP's decision here. He's got a $9000 budget for a car that nowadays just ain't that much money, (apparently within the means of the OP) he's got what sounds like a very level-headed son whom has given him all the right reasons to trust in him, he wants something reliable and safe. What the hell is wrong with any of that? Nothing!
I'm willing to bet that the pride that young man will have in driving the Jag will be worth every penny and he'll take very good care of it. It's motivation to continue his hard work. Like father like son. Look at what else the OP has in the garage. And when he rolls up to take your daughter to the prom, would you really rather see a clapped out Corrola?
Get him the Jag. Sounds like he's worth it!

 

[windshield_time]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Wow, some strong opinions. Now here's mine

I think your best investment with safety and cost in mind is right for you. I personally can not afford 9k for a car for my 16 year old, no not jealous, just honest. Told my wife she had 2 options, buy something I can fix that has every air bag possible to keep him safe, or buy the biggest freeakin land yatch i can find. I am leaning towards a 94 suburban right now.

Your wife may have a point just because it's a jag. The price point on that is gonna be more for repairs and maintenance than most cars. He will break it, he's a kid, has not alot to do with being responsible, responsible is telling you he did it and fixing it, being a kid is "lets see how fast this thing really goes".

Buy the car, make him pay for some of it, that will teach him he has a monitary investment in the car. If you can afford it, still make him pay, put the money in a fund for when he needs it.

I hope the best for you, I have seen this situation (new car / expensive car/ beater) go wrong in all cases, it depends on the child the parents and the friends. I am hoping the best for my son also.

 

[mphy98]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Well guys, thank you for your candid responses. I bought him one today, a Black 04 stype with 43k on it for $8500.00. He will pay for some of it from a part time job in the summer. During school he is going to be way to busy with school work and sports. To drive it he has to maintain a B+ to A average. His school Shoreland is a very good school with a lot of parental involvement. Yes he will probably slip up, but we are here to catch him and support him in making good decisions. He is still leaning to be a pastor in life. He may take a detour to sports medicine, then become a part time pastor. So I know a lot of parents say that their kids are really good kids, but he really is. Aside from tormenting his 9 year old sister(which only he can do) he really does not have any faults. The parents of his friends all love to have him around. He is respectful and will engage in thoughtful adult conversations and look you in the eye when talking to them. So this will be his reward. I have talked to a number of Jag owners who tell me that these are pretty problem free cars if taken care of. Saftey was my number one concern. Not so much his driving, but others on the road. Thanks again, bob

 

[JRJ]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Good deal, I always enjoy a happy beginning. Best wishes.

 

[cribber]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Cograts to both of you!! If it is well taken care of it should last him into college and beyond.

 

[skargo]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Congrats to your son, he sounds like a great kid!

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Removed original post because I realized to does not meet the OP's original request. I read too far into the wife thinks I'm crazy bit. Good luck

 

[avenger79]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

And when he rolls up to take your daughter to the prom, would you really rather see a clapped out Corrola?
Get him the Jag. Sounds like he's worth it!

I'll definitely agree with this, when my son went to dances or whatnot on dates he got to take my truck. I didn't want him putting someone's daughter in the Torino.

funny we had one dad who was disappointed he wanted pictures of his daughter with the car.

 

[avenger79]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Well guys, thank you for your candid responses. I bought him one today, a Black 04 stype with 43k on it for $8500.00. He will pay for some of it from a part time job in the summer. During school he is going to be way to busy with school work and sports. To drive it he has to maintain a B+ to A average. His school Shoreland is a very good school with a lot of parental involvement. Yes he will probably slip up, but we are here to catch him and support him in making good decisions. He is still leaning to be a pastor in life. He may take a detour to sports medicine, then become a part time pastor. So I know a lot of parents say that their kids are really good kids, but he really is. Aside from tormenting his 9 year old sister(which only he can do) he really does not have any faults. The parents of his friends all love to have him around. He is respectful and will engage in thoughtful adult conversations and look you in the eye when talking to them. So this will be his reward. I have talked to a number of Jag owners who tell me that these are pretty problem free cars if taken care of. Saftey was my number one concern. Not so much his driving, but others on the road. Thanks again, bob

congrats on the purchase, sounds like you got a great deal. he's a lucky kid.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

 

[choochooharley]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

Congrats on the purchase hope everything goes well with it

 

[Philip_G]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

a jag huh? big back seat

 

[Boomyal]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

...English mechanics drink warm beer because they have bosch refrigerators........

Hey jonesg, I thought that was Lucas refridgerators? Bosch is German. They aren't so bad.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: My wife thinks I m nuts

......and look you in the eye when talking to them.....

This alone sets him apart from many of today's kids. Good luck with his new ride!