I'm 22 years old and am waiting for my 2001 to come in (April). Currently, I'm in the middle of buying a house as well and am doing it all by myself. My parents are definetely middle class and have occasionally offered to help through loans, but I always refuse. I believe appreciation is only truly gained when you sweat and toil for it yourself. It's kind of funny how it works. Similar to when I bought my civic Si a year ago (on my own). I didn't appreciate it nearly as much as the RX-7 I had before it and never will. And it's due to the fact that I spent so much time fixing and caring for the Rx-7, day in and day out. Alot of love and hate went into that car, but I sure appreciated the hell out of it, especially when it decided to run. It just goes to show how much something can mean to you when you've done the work yourself.

I've got no college degree either, but thanks to computers and the high tech world I'm able to do all of this. If I were in your position, I know I would take the car. But I also know that I would never appreciate it as much as my crappy old Rx-7. My $.02

Enjoy it anyhow, and give yourself a pat on the back for feeling bad. Also, kudos for not acting like a spoiled brat... there's enough of them in this world.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SomethingWicked:
[B]Jay,
Tak the car, man.

 

Parents offered to buy you an S2K TWICE? This does speak volumes about you, Jay, and also your parents. Do you get along with them otherwise? Any reasons they might be trying to "buy" your love? Sorry if I'm sounding negative, but I'm just trying to see this from a therapist's angle! And sorry once again to sound like the old fart I am, but, and no offense, it's not a wise car for an 18-year-old, considering accident rates for teenaged drivers. But of course if I were you, I would be the happiest camper in the land!

 

Take the car and quit whining like an 18 year old. You sound like one of the Brady Bunch.

Laird

no car...no moderator? at least an 18 year old...Siper excluded.

All in fun guys

 

take the car and pretend you purchased it yourself...

 

Do yourself a favour, take a course at a race school and learn how to really drive this car. I wanted to be a racing driver when I was your age and did learn at the Jim Russell School in England. You'll learn techniques that you'll never learn on your own and you'll really get the most out of the car. I did race but didn't get too far as I never got a sponsor but the training has been invaluable.

 

Well son, let me tell you, I'll be 75 in twelve days and damn it, I'm going to pick up my '01 spa yellow S2K right after my birthday. This is a gift from my grandkids. They are doing very well in their lives and insist I accept this new car. Hell, I've never driven a new car before in my life. I was having the same thoughts you're having about accepting this gift. Why waste the money? I probably won't even live past 80. I mean, the thought of having VTEC rocking my denture would make me wet my Depends. But am I worthy to deserve such a wonderful machine at the end of my life? I pondered long and hard. Finally I decided to accept the car and intend to have fun with it. And I picked Spa Yellow as the color. Oh boy, you only live once. As you youngsters say these days, Rock On...

 

Jay Li,

Im virtually in the same boat as you. Our age is VERY similar, and my grandparents decided to buy me a car, but at a slightly lesser value. Here is what I learned from it...

I undersdtand you feel bad taking this, and I understand you will be ribbed (bugged) for it. But look at it this way. Think of the enjoyment yourt parents will get from seeing you enjoying something they wanted to buy from you. They are buying you a car, so they can see you actually enjoy it. So they can see the look of happiness in your face when you first sit in the car. Obviously your parents are hard workers. They must make good money to be able to afford to buy their child a $35,000 sports car.

Now there could also be another motive here I will go into later.

So my thinking is, they have worked hard for this money. And if they want to spend it on you, why judge that? They choose to do this. My grandfather (who just passed away) told me why he was planning to buy me a car when my conscience kicked in. He told me he worked hard for his money. And rather than spending it on a few trips that would last a few weeks, or buying new leather furniture that he really doesnt need, he wanted to buy me a gift that I would enjoy and tak care of for years to come. He said the key was to make me happy, because if I was happy, he was happy. His other reason was, but this may differ from you is, he told me that I would get the money anyways from the will, when he did pass away. But he said this, and it makes total sense.

My car was to be my inheritance. He wanted to see me enjoy what ever I got, for his own eyes to see. Not after he had passed away. He did this with all his kids and grandchildren. And he died a happier man becuase of it. It wasnt buying love from us. He already had that. It wasnt buying happiness either, as he already had that from us. But he knew he would get more out of buying us things, than himself, or letting it sit in the bank collecting interest for no one.

Now to my second theory. I have quite a few Asian friends. Now Im not sure if you are Asian or not, but I have learned this one thing, please no one take offence.

Most Asian parents work hard, and work lots. Often see little of their family because of it. Because of this, they grow a conscience of their own. That being not being able to see their child happy, or being able to attend special events their child participated in. Or just being there for them. So, because of this conscience, they figure that buy doing something like this, they feel they make up for it. Or partially do. So in a way, if your parents havent been around much for your up brining, this may be the case. Its simply they feel bad, so this is there way of making up to you.

My best advice is ask them why they are doing it. Tell them what you told us, and ask for an honest and complete answer. Maybe that will help you.

You may find out this is more for them, than you.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2001Yellow:
[B]Well son, let me tell you, I'll be 75 in twelve days and damn it, I'm going to pick up my '01 spa yellow S2K right after my birthday.

 

Just to let you guys know, I've taken no offense to what you guys have said. Only my father works, and I have a very close relationship with my parents. I know they're not trying to buy my love, they know they already have that. My father immigrated here for college, and at one point, was stranded in NY (he lived in GA) with only $400 to his name. He made himself what he is today, and I have nothing but respect for him.

I understand why my parents would want to buy me this car. They know how much happiness it will bring me. My reasoning though, is that a car like this is one that should be earned, and quite frankly, I haven't really done anything to earn it. Once again, I know it's not to strengthen our relationship, because we're very close. They know I think they've done a great job raising me, as I have thanked them and told them so for it.