My Son's New Standard Snappy Comeback - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 01-07-2011, 08:23 AM

Like most quasi-responsible parents, my wife and I are trying to teach our 15-year old son to be content with what he has and not to be constantly clamoring for more stuff. So now, every time I say to him, "Ryan, you need to be content with what you have," his retort is, "Dad, you need to be content with one car!" Such rebellion and insolence! And of course his mother is smirking and smiling in the background....

Anyone else have family members who fail to appreciate a man's need for multiple cars?

Stretch · #2 01-07-2011, 08:34 AM

I'm sorry to add to this but in the UK:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lwb_IbPf04

bdtsr · #3 01-07-2011, 08:38 AM

"Anyone else have family members who fail to appreciate a man's need for multiple cars?"

MY WIFE!

SwampYankee · #4 01-07-2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Like most quasi-responsible parents, my wife and I are trying to teach our 15-year old son to be content with what he has and not to be constantly clamoring for more stuff. So now, every time I say to him, "Ryan, you need to be content with what you have," his retort is, "Dad, you need to be content with one car!" Such rebellion and insolence! And of course his mother is smirking and smiling in the background....

Anyone else have family members who fail to appreciate a man's need for multiple cars?

Smart kid.

Technically, yes. But it's more of a pre-emptive failure to appreciate since I haven't really brought home any strays in some time. I got rid of my Scout so there's a spot for me to fill. All I need is for that void in my wallet to be filled first. My oldest just turned 13 so I'm thinking I need to start to address that impending age. I haven't decided if I'm going to get my TD tidied and buttoned up for him to drive and find something else for myself or vice versa.

layback40 · #5 01-07-2011, 08:41 AM

hmmmmm I dont know if I wish to venture into this one.

Sounds like he is being well trained by some one who doesnt totally support your car obsession.
The value of money comes to mind. Who is paying for all this stuff he wants?
Does he earn his pocket money?
Have you plans for him to learn to drive one of the cars? Just a gentle hint to him may shut him up! After all it would be the first to go if you had to reduce numbers!
Dont be too hard on him, at least he is not a gang member or drug running!! You must be doing some thing right!!!
Its difficult when you dont have an expanse of land to spread your cars over.

shertex · #6 01-07-2011, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

hmmmmm I dont know if I wish to venture into this one.

Sounds like he is being well trained by some one who doesnt totally support your car obsession.
The value of money comes to mind. Who is paying for all this stuff he wants?
Does he earn his pocket money?
Have you plans for him to learn to drive one of the cars? Just a gentle hint to him may shut him up! After all it would be the first to go if you had to reduce numbers!
Dont be too hard on him, at least he is not a gang member or drug running!! You must be doing some thing right!!!
Its difficult when you dont have an expanse of land to spread your cars over.

Yes, he earns his own money....obscene amounts for very little work. Like $50 recently for shoveling a small driveway.

And, yes, he will be driving the 92 300D. So I think I will begin to wield that fact against him!

#7 01-07-2011, 08:58 AM

My 15 year old daughter doesn't complain about my cars because she wants to make sure there will be one for her to drive.

layback40 · #8 01-07-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Yes, he earns his own money....obscene amounts for very little work. Like $50 recently for shoveling a small driveway.

And, yes, he will be driving the 92 300D. So I think I will begin to wield that fact against him!

When I started earning that sort of $$, I had a thing called board explained to me!!
What age are they allowed to start learning to drive there?

Maybe present him with the owners book & explain he has to pass a test on the car before he can learn to drive it.
Also mention his school grades have to be good as well !!

This is one time when I say good luck and really mean it !!!!!!

SwampYankee · #9 01-07-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

Its difficult when you dont have an expanse of land to spread your cars over.

While not conducive to my desire for a personal fleet, it may be a blessing in disguise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

What age are they allowed to start learning to drive there?

At least in CT it's getting more and more restrictive. Kids can get a learner's permit at 16. For the duration of that learners permit (30 hours classroom training, 2 hours of parent training and 40 hours practice driving) only a parent, legal guardian or trainer is allowed in the vehicle.

For the first 6 months after obtaining their license, only parents, legal guardians or person over 20yo (provided they've had their license for 4 years with suspension) are allowed in the vehicle.

And until they turn 18, they can not operate a vehicle on the road between 11pm-5am (with a few exceptions-work, school, etc.).

Every year there's a tragic accident involving teen drivers and they throw another law at it. The state has lost 4 teens in two accidents within the past two months so I fully expect more restrictions. I understand the reasoning behind the restriction, keeping kids safe is of the utmost importance. The thing that bugs me is that in each case, the driver was breaking the laws already on the books. More laws won't keep them from breaking them in the future.

layback40 · #10 01-07-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

While not conducive to my desire for a personal fleet, it may be a blessing in disguise.

At least in CT it's getting more and more restrictive. Kids can get a learner's permit at 16. For the duration of that learners permit (30 hours classroom training, 2 hours of parent training and 40 hours practice driving) only a parent, legal guardian or trainer is allowed in the vehicle.

For the first 6 months after obtaining their license, only parents, legal guardians or person over 20yo (provided they've had their license for 4 years with suspension) are allowed in the vehicle.

And until they turn 18, they can not operate a vehicle on the road between 11pm-5am (with a few exceptions-work, school, etc.).

Every year there's a tragic accident involving teen drivers and they throw another law at it. The state has lost 4 teens in two accidents within the past two months so I fully expect more restrictions. I understand the reasoning behind the restriction, keeping kids safe is of the utmost importance. The thing that bugs me is that in each case, the driver was breaking the laws already on the books. More laws won't keep them from breaking them in the future.

Thanks for that !!

Over here in Ozz, its learners at 16 1/2 , theory test & simulator driving to get it.
Then 120 hrs of logged driving with an experienced (over 3 years) driver. Then at 18 can do prac test & get red provisional license for 1 year. During that year max of 1 passenger unless family, 0.00 blood alcohol and restrictions on the type of car.
Then green provisional for 2 years, passenger restrictions lifted but BAC still 0.00 & car restrictions. No motor cycle over 250cc in first 3 years of a motor cycle license.
About 1/2 of all serious accidents involve at least 1 driver under 25.

When I got mine; 9am on 16th birthday did theory test,
lunch time did prac test. By 1pm I had a full license & could legally drive any truck/bus/car/ motor cycle.

My mom who is in her 80's still has her full license. She is legally allowed to drive anything!! She has trouble with her little Toyota.

#11 01-07-2011, 10:10 AM

In CO they can get their permit when the turn 15, after taking 30 hours of classes (which they can take while they are still 14). The are required to keep the permit for a full year and log 50 hours of driving (10 hours at night). Once the get their license, there are some restrictions for the first six months. My daughter currently has her permit.

vstech · #12 01-07-2011, 10:22 AM

my 14 year old is already begging me for dibs on my 280z and one of the 87's.... she wants TWO cars, and she's only 14!!!
I'm heading out to south GA this weekend to add another 87 to my stable... so far, I've not gotten much grief from the missus, ... well not a lot... hmm. it is kinda cold in the BR... nahh, she just has chronic headaches... yeah that's the ticket.

when I turned 13 or so, I was driving the farm truck and tractor all over the area, so I never got a learner's permit... when I turned 16 I just took the test and got my license. (took the driver's part in my big brother's race car...) a week later, I was driving the new van pulling a poorly loaded trailer across the rocky mountains...

strelnik · #13 01-07-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Like most quasi-responsible parents, my wife and I are trying to teach our 15-year old son to be content with what he has and not to be constantly clamoring for more stuff. So now, every time I say to him, "Ryan, you need to be content with what you have," his retort is, "Dad, you need to be content with one car!" Such rebellion and insolence! And of course his mother is smirking and smiling in the background....

Anyone else have family members who fail to appreciate a man's need for multiple cars?

Wait until he wants to drive. You can tell him you're selling all your cars and since you have to be content with one car, he can borrow his MOTHER's (if she thinks this is so funny).

BTW tell her she has to be content with:
1 purse
1 dress
1 pair of shoes
etc etc etc

vstech · #14 01-07-2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

BTW tell her she has to be content with:
1 purse
1 dress
1 pair of shoes
etc etc etc

HAAAAA!!!!!

I think the world would actually screech to a halt!

shertex · #15 01-07-2011, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

Wait until he wants to drive. You can tell him you're selling all your cars and since you have to be content with one car, he can borrow his MOTHER's (if she thinks this is so funny).

BTW tell her she has to be content with:
1 purse
1 dress
1 pair of shoes
etc etc etc

As for the son, yes, that would be the ultimate in teenage emasculation: forcing him to drive a minivan!

As for the wife, she would call my bluff: she knows me too well to think that I would be content with her having one dress, etc....