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Cars you gave up for your kids

54 messages,  Last post on Jul 13, 2008 at 3:00 PM

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What is this discussion about? Coupe, Convertible

Messages Page 1 of 6

#1 of 54 Cars you gave up for your kids by nyccarguy

Jun 11, 2007 (7:15 pm)

As a nation of car nuts, the only thing we love more than our automobiles are our children. Whether you gave up a Miata for a Minivan or a Boxster for a Boxy SUV, let's hear the stories of the great cars and the practical ones that replaced them.

#2 of 54 I'll go first by nyccarguy

Jun 11, 2007 (7:24 pm)

Since I started this discussion. I'm 31, married, and have a beautiful, healthy, happy, 8 month old baby boy. While the joy of fatherhood doesn't take away from my pleasure of driving my 2001 Honda Prelude Type SH, one of my good friends (due to the upcoming birth of his son in a few months) had to get rid of his beloved 2005 BMW M3 Convertible. Even though the M3 was his wife's car that she drove back and forth to work, on the weekends it was his to drive. Living in South Florida provided for many top down driving days and even more enjoyable cruising nights. The M3 was replaced with a 2008 Lexus RX350. While he tells me the Lexus is "nice," it doesn't compare to the M3.

#3 of 54 Re: I'll go first [nyccarguy] by briancam

Jun 20, 2007 (10:55 am)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Jun 11, 2007 7:24 pm)
I had a FIAT Spyder that I really liked. It was fun and never broke down. I gotta get another one.

#4 of 54 Give up cars for kids? by bumpy

Jun 20, 2007 (11:38 am)

Marge: Homer, when are you going to give up this crazy sugar scheme?
 
Homer: Never, Marge! Never. I can't live the button-down life like you. I want it all: the terrifying lows, the dizzying highs, the creamy middles. Sure, I might offend a few of the bluenoses with my cocky stride and musky odors -- oh, I'll never be the darling of the so-called "City Fathers" who cluck their tongues, stroke their beards, and talk about "What's to be done with this Homer Simpson?"
 
Marge: Look, just get rid of the sugar, OK?
 
Homer: No!

#5 of 54 Give up for kids? by lemko

Jun 20, 2007 (12:32 pm)

Heck, one of the reasons I stay single and childless is so I could have nicer things. Sure, it might seem selfish and materialistic, but I saw how much my Dad had to sacrifice for us kids. Having a nice car was just one thing. My Uncle Daniel who remained single always drove Cadillac DeVilles and Lincoln Continentals while my Dad had to make do with his far more mundane Fords.
 
It was already tough back in my Dad's day when employment and remaining married was much more certain. Today, children and marriage are best left to the very wealthy or those who like to live on the edge like Las Vegas gamblers. For 50% of the average slobs out there, children and marriage are a one way ticket to crushing poverty. I would only take the chance if they outlaw divorce.

#6 of 54 My mother... by andre1969

Jun 20, 2007 (1:08 pm)

gave up a 1966 Pontiac Catalina convertible because of me. I was born in 1970, and in 1972, she swapped cars with my grandparents, who had a '68 Impala 4-door hardtop, and they traded her Catalina in on a new '72 Impala 4-door hardtop.
 
My Mom said that she didn't like the idea of driving a child around in a convertible, because of the safety issue. But another ugly truth is that my Dad started driving that car alot, and really ragged it out. From what Granddad told me, it was getting pretty worn out by the time it was 6 years old.

#7 of 54 Re: My mother... [andre1969] by lemko

Jun 21, 2007 (10:27 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jun 20, 2007 1:08 pm)
When I was very young, my Dad bought mostly two-door cars as his figured young kids would open the back doors on four-door sedans and fall out while the car was moving. This was long before child safety locks came around.

#8 of 54 Re: My mother... [lemko] by fezo

Jun 21, 2007 (11:22 am)

Replying to: lemko (Jun 21, 2007 10:27 am)
My folks were like that on two doors when they could swing it. I think that was more my mom. Explains the 2 door station wagon.
 
I certainly gave up something when we expanded to more than two kids. It's wasn't exotic or a speed demon but the top came down! 1998 Chrysler Sebring convertible. The thing was a lower model done up like the higher model, which is to say you got all the doo dads but the upholstery was cloth. Infinity stereo - very nice.
 
For six months of the year it was a perfectly ordinary car with a good sound system. For the other six months it was exquisite.
 
Kid #3 - Odyssey....

#9 of 54 Re: My mother... [fezo] by andre1969

Jun 21, 2007 (11:30 am)

Replying to: fezo (Jun 21, 2007 11:22 am)
My grandparents used to feel that way about cars, when my Mom and uncle were little kids, and also when they had foster kids. I think they had a 1949 Pontiac 2-door sedan, bought new, and then a used '52 Buick 2-door sedan. A Special, I'm guessing. I don't think you could get a 2-door sedan in the more upscale lineups. Then they bought a used '55 Pontiac, but it was a 4-door sedan. Then they had a brand-new 60 Chevy wagon, followed by a '65, and then the '68 Impala 4-door hardtop that my Mom ended up getting.
 
I remember Granddad talking about the old days once, and he said he got tired of those damn 2-door cars and having people have to crawl over you to get to the back seat, so he was glad when the kids got old enough to where they were smart enough to not open the back doors. Or, if they did, too bad for them!
 
Mom tended to prefer 2-door cars, as that Impala ultimately gave way to a '75 LeMans, a 1980 Malibu, and an '86 Monte Carlo, all 2-doors.

#10 of 54 Re: My mother... [andre1969] by fezo

Jun 21, 2007 (11:42 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Jun 21, 2007 11:30 am)
I am sure that my days in the two door wagon led to my dislike of all things two doored except ones where the top comes down.

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