Sad news
 

Today I found out what it really means to be a father. Here I am, finally at a point in life where I can get the car I love. A real car. Not one designed for family vacations, trips to the beach, or enough room for 5 kids and all of their soccer gear. I've had a picture of the 370 on my dresser for almost a year now. I did all my homework and know exactly what I want in the Z and how much I should spend. Then the other night I watched my son, a senior in high school, waiting by the front door for his girlfriend to pick him up for their date. He's a great kid. Good grades. Incredible in sports. Honest. Everything you would want your child to be. Anyway... the Z dream will have to wait. I went to the bank, took out the money from my 370 fund (money from selling the Harley I loved in order to afford the Z), and bought the boy a jeep. Now I just walk around telling myself it will be worth it when I see his eyes on Christmas morning. It's not really helping though. I may have to start drinking.

You rock, man. I hope he appreciates it. Personally, I would have told my son to go get a scholarship and a job. :D I have 3 kids, all boys. They're spoiled, but I'm not buying them a new car unless I win the lotto.

Anyway, congrats on the family and making that decision. Don't tell him about it unless he figures it out. And have that box of tissues ready....

Don't have any children of my own but I can completely agree with your decision. +1 :D

:happydance:
Right on...your dedication to your son's happiness reminds me of my parents; they never could afford to buy me a car but the mechanics are still the same (just a different situation). Testimonies like this are inspiration that spark the movement of selflessness and love & care. Your son will never forget what you did!

Props for being a great, supportive, selfless, and most important, an understanding parent :tiphat::tup::tiphat::tup:

-Hunter

you shouldve gotten him a 97 240sx :D

I know you feel a bit of sadness, but that was a great dad move! I am constantly thinking about my boy and so many things have taken a backseat in my life in order to provide for him. The reality is the moment you have a kid, not even necesarily a wife, but an off spring, your life doesnt belong to you anymore. Everything you do has to be done in thier best intrest...that was a kick *** thing you did man!

sounds like you are a great father and have a great son. he will love the jeep and im sure he will be very thankful for it too. when he gets it send him over to jeepforum. there is a ton of great knowledge there and its a very friendly place. watch out for pirate4x4 though. they are a hardcore group and if you ask something that isnt hardcore tech youll wish you never went there. what kind of jeep did you get him?

lol thats not sad news at all bud!

thats awesome!

your son will appreciate it and the feelings youll get from that will far outway that of getting a car for yourself...

:tup: :tup: from me man!

:icon17: besides drinking aint so bad...have you tried shiner beer :yum:

:yum: is right! :xmastup:

Its funny how a little story like this can make my eyes well up. If he deserves it, he will appreciate it. Good for you dad!

You could have bought the 370Z and let him use the car you are currently driving, assuming you currently have a car and weren't planning on trading it in!


But either way, good move and good things come to those who wait!

You can always get your dream car later. This time in your life is a one time moment that your son will tell his sons or daughters about with a fondness that can't be imagined. There's no doubt in my mind that when you see the look on your son's face you will be glowing inside.

What an awesome act of unselfishness dad :tiphat::tiphat:


Z06STAN

Thanks everybody. I actually was going to let him just take my car when I bought a new Z, but my car sucks. I remember being his age. I would have LOVED a vehicle like this. Besides, I couldn't ask for a better kid. He will definitely appreciate it and eventually know the sacrifice. That's not a bad lesson to teach a young man.

Here's a picture from the lot, before it got cleaned up.

Thats a bad bitch. I am sure you will have fun with it as well!!!

nice! :xmastup: used to work with a guy here in TX that had a jeep almost exactly like that one.

I know the feeling. We've bought 4 F150's, 1 Expoder, and 1 Ranger for our kids.


I need a whole bottle of Crown......'cept I can only afford Jim Beam.

....cries into jelly-jar glass of Jim beam :(

beam > crown

don't like my bourbon to be sweet. used to, but then (years ago) i got to the legal drinking age

i typically drink good ol' jack

:xmastup:

well played sir.

I was going for the cost difference but thanks for ruining the joke....hater. :mad:











:D

i know you were, but that's what i'm here for :tiphat:

should've said something like Glen Livet vs Old Grandad or somethin lol

Old Crow, there.

Does it have a roll bar/cage?

i see that there is a lift on already and what looks like 33" tires a winch onboard air. anything done to the axles or do you know what kind it has? what brand and size of lift?

all wranglers/CJs do :tup:

That's an awesome thing you did. If I had a kid, I'm sure I would've done the same. My kids happiness (and safety) > my hobby/dream car. I'm sure one day, this kid will surprise you with a car of your dream in your driveway!

BTW, soft top wranglers are one of my favorite 4x4 . :tup:

http://www.the370z.com/attachments/l...wp77001101.jpg

Nice move. And at least you'll get to go jeeping this way :)

Just please make sure he understands center of gravity, and the fact that a lifted Jeep is a tradeoff - it can go off road, but does not corner fast. Nor do they do well at high speed on the highway. If he's racing someone, even someone in a crappy sedan, he needs to let the other guy win.

I know I was pretty crazy with my first vehicle, but certain points my dad made did stay in my head. You don't want him spending his life regretting the girls who died in the back seat because he was showing off.

Sorry about the downer - I'm not usually much for safety - but I think it's worth bringing up...

Good!
Teenager that use to live behind us had a Jeep, no roll bar. He rolled it. He now rides a three wheel bicycle.

my parents got me a 370z and i'm 19.. 7 years ago we were living in the philippines living in the slums. i couldn't be any happier ;\ i'm sure ur son will be really thankful for what u've done.

:eek:

that was stupid of them to take it out. the factory ones like on the jeep i have and that moonlitebiker bought, are good and very safe but lack an A pillar which is its only weak spot really. im about to put one in along with some other supports.

Rolled Jeep!!!

you can see how the windshield is mushed down that it doesnt have much support and in the third pic you can see where there is no A pillar. ive seen alot worse and the stock cage has allowed people to continue to walk away with relatively minor damage to the drivers/passengers. after seeing all that i have i gotta say i feel alot safer in my jeep than any other car in a roll over :icon17:

Edit: BTW Moonliteboker, do not let your son or any mechanic no matter what they say remove the sway bars. you can disconnect them for offroad which is a really good thing but if he is driving on the road make sure they are connected. the only jeeps you can get away with not having a sway bar are the leaf sprung jeeps

buy another Harley - I'm a HD engineer and need to keep my job

Damn, what a story. your son has one hell of a dad! what a choice to make, i would luv to see his face on the 25th. pics for sure! any plans down the road for your toy?

Dude. Props. Being a senior in high school, you just did something that will make you far happier than any car can. It will all be worth it on Christmas morning. This is one of the best things I have heard of in while. You did the right thing and down the road you will really appreciate what you did. Great choice man!
Rep +50000

My son gets his license in a couple months I cant wait for him to be able to drive. I figure my wife and I will have so many hours a week driving him and his sister around. I got my Z and will give him our old Honda to drive. I travel a bit for work and get paid well for mileage and figure in a couple years my company will pay for half my Z and I will take our newer Honda on business trips.

I assume in a couple years he will just take the Honda to college.

I feel your pain though.

Let's all pitch in and buy this guy a Z :). AK, how many members do we have? If we all donate a dollar...

LOL, some day. I miss my bike already.

Thanks for the advice guys. And yes we will be having a very thorough heart to heart about exactly how to drive this vehicle. I will say though that I've driven it down the highway at 75 mph and it handled better than my Rodeo!

Yes the axle has been modified. Couldn't tell you the specs, but I'll find out. Brand new tranny put in. Thanks for the tip on the sway bars.

I'd post a Christmas picture but I'm afraid all you'll see is teeth.

Oh, and thanks to the guys who gave me rep points for this. That was a nice surprise. I returned what I was given and more. Great board.

wow, i wish my dad could ever do such thing for me.. what you did was amazing!.. u should be proud of yourself!.. and i'm sure your kid deserve all this and more!.. congrats on the jeep!...

Great looking Wrangler. Good on you Pops, he will love it.

are you on JF? i know a guy on there with the same avatar

also maybe a stupid question but how do you rep someone? never been on board where you can do that :icon14:

Click on the scale under the person's avatar.