wmw999 2,589 #1 September 19, 2002 Man oh man. I have an 18-year-old son, very responsible and a great guy all around. But it sure is tough watching him make decisions that have high likelihoods of being mistakes. He's heading for his third car now (note: he doesn't drive cheapo wrecks like I used to -- he's more the moderately-used creampuff performance car type). Not every car decision has been bad, but the likelihood is going up. First, a Nissan Maxima. Great car, but it drowned. Next, an Acura (car of his then-dreams). It turns out to have been raced (what!!! a hot-looking GSR with a spoiler and upgraded tires that's been RACED!?!?!). Fortunately, he bought it from a dealer, who rebuilt the engine. Now he's looking at an MR2 Turbo. He'll be heartbroken when it turns out not to have been treated as gently as the owner is assuring him it was. It's his money, and he's shown a lot of responsibility in how he deals with it. But he's going to get it evaluated professionally before making a decision. All I can really do is hope it turns out well for him, and let him know that if he needs to borrow money to live in order to pay for his car, his priorities are out of whack. After all, his mom has borrowed money from him to buy gear... Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brisco 0 #2 September 19, 2002 Not much you can do but offer advice and then step back and let him make his mistakes. How does that go? Anything that doesn't kill you makes you stronger! "And still I'll try to tell him all the things I've done, relating to what he can do when he becomes a man. And still he'll stick his fingers in the fan" Younger Generation by John Sebastion Brisco Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #3 September 19, 2002 He's going to be fine. Like you said, he is a great guy and very responsible. Let him enjoy his cars now, because before long he will have a family and the wife will make him get a mini-van....yikes! _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #4 September 19, 2002 Geez, what kind of job does he have that he can do this? Well, he'll figure it out, I know I did. Although with me it was when I was wrenching on my car, I instantly started treating it better. If I burned the clutch out on it, I was under the car, pulling the engine off transmission, replacing the clutch, etc. As for money things, it took me longer to really learn that, since between 16 and 18 years old I had a CUSH job working in the tech industry making the kind of money that should be illegal at that age. Since I didn't really have any expenses, living at home and all, I didn't learn budgets and finances until I got to college and I didn't have that phat cash rolling in.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #5 September 19, 2002 Just be there for support, offer your fatherly advise and stand strong on your beliefs. He needs to count on you to be straight up with him, before, during, and after his decisions.. Support him as a friend All that mushy stuff.. Rhino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottbre 0 #6 September 19, 2002 QuoteGeez, what kind of job does he have that he can do this? No kidding. Wish I had that kind of money when I was 18. I hope you're making him pay his own insurance too. "Your mother's full of stupidjuice!" My Art Project Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #7 September 19, 2002 Just be there for support, offer your fatherly advise and stand strong on your beliefs. ---------------------------------------------- Actually, I'm the mom . I KNOW he has to make his own decisions; I just needed to whine to someone so that I don't go all parental on him. Actually, he just called and said that the current owner wouldn't go for the financial deal he worked up. He's trying something different, it might not work, but he's a man with a plan! My job is really just to enjoy it, and support him in the conviction of his decisions, and provide him with information he can use in future decisions (preferably when he doesn't need it). Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Viking 0 #8 September 19, 2002 hmmmmmmmmmmmmm MR2 Turbo ahghggggggg i love those things! If i had the $$ i would go find a 95 Hardtop turbo(there were only like 50 or so imported in that year) and be a happy camper.I swear you must have footprints on the back of your helmet - chicagoskydiver My God has a bigger dick than your god -George Carlin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prepheckt 0 #9 September 19, 2002 Quote Anything that doesn't kill you makes you stronger! But that which does not kill you still hurts like a mother...."Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet." -9 toes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #10 September 19, 2002 But that which does not kill you still hurts like a mother.... ---------------------------------------------------- There are two answers to that one: hurt your mom and she'll kill you! NOTHING hurts like a mother. Trust me on this one. Wendy W. (a mom)There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
prepheckt 0 #11 September 19, 2002 Let me clarify my post....hurts like a "mofo"....that better?"Dancing Argentine Tango is like doing calculus with your feet." -9 toes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brianthomas1966 0 #12 September 19, 2002 Sounds like you have / had your priorities straight! Get the money for your own gear anyway you can. That $3500.00 investment for gear can save 1/2 per jump on rental gear. I'll break even on the savings in only 96 jumps, compared to renting student gear. Hope he gets his car - sounds like he's got it together. My son will be 18 on the 30th. He's driving a $1000. junker because his dad skydives! Brian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #13 September 20, 2002 Wendy, I have owned several turbocharged vehicles. Here's some advice... When you get the vehicle checked by a third-party mechanic (You should be doing this anyway) make sure they check the turbocharger for damage. A lot of idiots drive the hell out of turbos and then get home, park, and turn the engine off immediately. What happens is that the oil that is cooling the turbo is now not circulating and the intercooler (think radiator, but for oil) isn't getting any air since the car isn't moving. That hot oil can burn and leave gummy residue inside the turbo causing cumulative damage. Only use synthetic oil. Repeat that. Then do it. Change it every 3000 miles religiously. I used (and still use) Mobil-1 synthetic and Mobil-1 filters. Tell him to buy a "turbo-timer". This is a nifty device I used in my 300ZX, Daytona Pacifica, and Impulse. What it does is when you turn off the ignition, the engine will stay running for 2-5 minutes allowing the oil in the intercooler to cool off. It really helps prevent turbine damage. Turbocharged cars are great (and they make mad HP that you can easily tweak) but they require great maintenance. KrisSky, Muff Bro, Rodriguez Bro, and Bastion of Purity and Innocence!™ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFKING 4 #14 September 20, 2002 QuoteWhen you get the vehicle checked by a third-party mechanic (You should be doing this anyway) make sure they check the turbocharger for damage. <> A lot of idiots drive the hell out of turbos and then get home, park, and turn the engine off immediately. What happens is that the oil that is cooling the turbo is now not circulating and the intercooler (think radiator, but for oil) isn't getting any air since the car isn't moving. That hot oil can burn and leave gummy residue inside the turbo causing cumulative damage. Only use synthetic oil. Repeat that. Then do it. Change it every 3000 miles religiously. I used (and still use) Mobil-1 synthetic and Mobil-1 filters. Amen to all that, Kris. I don't use a timer, but I always let it idle for a few minutes before cutting. My '86 951 now has almost 250K on the odometer, but still runs like a champ. Don Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #15 September 20, 2002 i'm not sure about automotive turbos, but big truck engine (cummins, cat, detroit, volvo) turbos do not have bearings, they have bushings that ride on a cushion of high pressure oil. if the motor is off, no oil pressure, metal to metal contact between the bushing and its housing. turbos spin at amazing rpms ( i can't remember the numbers, but i believe it was 100,000+ rpm) and if you just shut the engine off without a cooldown, that turb is still spinning without adequate lubrication."Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cajones 0 #16 September 20, 2002 I hate it when there's not adequate lubrication. The laws of physics are strictly enforced. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
