i dont think its right to treat someone differently just because of age on a car related forum... i can careless about someones age as long as they're not immature or bratty... im sure all Z owners know to some extent the value and attachment with any car.. otherwise they wouldnt even be on this forum.. just my .02

 

I think at least some of the resentement/concern is about what buying a too-nice car for a high schooler does to their values and their perceptions of the world. In addition to the whole spoiled/entitled-to-have-freat-stuff issue, a cool car in high school contributes substantially to one's social standing. (Once you're an adult, if you're running in educated circles, having a cool car won't make you any new friends. I don't think I'd want any friends that liked me because of my car.) What does this teach, other than 1. respect can be bought and 2. material possessions improve other aspects of your life. I've spent a lot of time around people who have been taught those two lessons; they aren't happy, and they're often not well liked.

If a parent buys their kid a too-nice first car, it's the parent's fault, not the kid. But the kid is quite likely (though certainly not guaranteed) to become a jerk as a result. I saw it happen to lots of people.

Dave
(given a 15 year old pontiac with no headliner as his first car; hated it, but knew it was the right thing)

 

I agree. Every situation is different. I went to a high school where parents were buying their kids Porsches and Mercedes-Benz SLKs for their kids' 16th birthday while I drove a 1984 Accord. You could tell who was being spoiled rotten and who wasn't.

Still, my mom and dad promised to buy me any car I wanted, if I scored a perfect 1600 on the SATs. It didn't happen, but boy did it motivate me (I was looking to get a Porsche, or a Lotus Esprit Turbo - imagine driving to school in one of THOSE). Now, 15 years later I'm on the verge of taking a $400k/year job, 2 houses, and a bunch of other things including a Z, and I feel proud that I worked my *** off for every single thing I have.

Bottom line: regardless of what you or your family's financial situation is, work hard and you'll get everything you want/need in life. If your parents are generous enough to buy you a nice car like a Z, then be grateful for your good fortune and don't expect to have good things handed to you on a silver platter your entire life.

 

I've been one of the more vocal "youth dis-likers" on this forum so far (or so the young people would say). Here's a few observations for you guys. Do what you want with it, and understand that this is NOT a flame, it's intended to generate some understanding of where people are coming from. Also important to note is that as an older driver (ok, I'm only 31, but for the purposes of this discussion...) I have nothing against you as a person, in fact with the exception of a very very small number, I don't know any of you, so of course there are some generalities involved here. The few that I do know are all really nice guys.

1. Your statement that any older driver is "just jealous" is a sure sign of immaturity. Why? Well, let's look at how you're 16/17/18 and able to drive a Z.
A. Your parent(s) or some other relative bought it for you. I'm not jealous of the fact that you have a Z, but rather that you did nothing to earn your car. In fact, in the long run, you have far less respect for you car than I do, based on the amount of work that you put into acquiring it. Of course you don't believe me, but that's exactly what I'm talking about. I call that "life inexperience". Whether you treat it well and drive it responsibly or not, you have no understanding of what it takes the average person to own a 30+ thousand dollar car because yours was handed to you. You can't understand what I went through to get my car any more than I understand the pain of giving birth. That's just the way it is, and running around whining that people don't like you just makes it worse. Additionally, most of us aged drivers dislike your parents more so than we do you because despite their financial ability to provide you with a great car (and possibly your ability to use it responsibly), they are doing you a great dis-service by handing you life on a platter. They should have put you in a 10 year old Volvo and let you make your mistakes in that. Then you could go out and earn the car that is your dream.

B. If you are old enough that you either could or do live on your own but your parents pay for either some portion of your Z or other living expenses so that you can squeeze the Z into your budget.
Hey, I'm not saying you're not lucky, it's great that you've worked something out, but living an "extravagant" lifestyle on your parents dollar vs. living humbly under your own steam sounds like immaturity to me. Saying "no" to toys so you can pay the rent all by yourself, that's a sign of a mature young man (or woman)

C. You are one of the rare ones that actually busts your @$$ to afford the car and all of it's associated expenses all by yourself.
I have a hard time finding fault in what you guys are doing. If you're living under your own steam, that is GREAT. I just hope that the level-headedness that got you out there earning your own car stays with you when you drive it. Teenage testosterone and a lack of just plain-old "wheel-time" can get you in BIG trouble in this or any other car. I feel bad for anyone who bangs up *their* nice expensive sports car. ( I say "their car" because for people in Category A or B above, it's not really their car.) For those who were given their car and go out and smash it up, you exemplify the reason that older drivers give you a hard time, and I don't feel sorry for you or your parents.


You young guys that whine about being "hated on" by older Z owners should really just consider it a part of paying your dues, (and incidentally, quit opening yourself up for it with posts like this). When you get a little older, you will look at the young guys getting handed the newest (and most dangerous) toys without even so much as lifting a finger and shake your head, because by then (hopefully) you'll have had to work hard for what you have and you'll understand what it means to "pay the price for greatness".

Seriously, most of the younger guys I've met are really nice, relatively squared away guys. Alot of them take great care of their Z's. The animosity is not directed at you as a person, it's directed at your situation.

If you don't believe me, shell out big money for something, then look at the guy who got it for free and you'll see what I mean. It's not jealousy, it's.....disgust? That may be too harsh a word, but it gets the point across.

 

Damn, kcobean. Lighten up a little. How about an appointment with Tony Robbins or something. You must have skipped over my comments on page 2. Seems funny to me how no one replied about my comments.

 

Same deal I got(well it was 1580, I got a little margin for error), except I did it.

Now my dad lets me drive HIS Z. I guess thats different from the attitudes of most teenagers that have nice cars, they think its their car. I don't know if that makes me unique or what.

Edit: Grammar-tacular

 

As for people saying, "well, its better if you give them an old junker car because it will be cheaper if an accident happens or etc...". Not true.

If you're at fault in an accident, it doesn't matter what you're driving. Your insurance premium will go up the same, and you won't have to pay more for repairs because the insurance company will cover it all anyway.

If you're not at fault, same exact thing, except in a junker car, you might be dead whereas you can walk away from a crash in a modern, safer car.

Giving a child your keys. Since obviously they don't own the car, shows things such as you having trust in them and letting them make their own decisions.

Speaking from personal experience, I drove an older Jetta before I managed to snag the keys for my dad's Z. The Jetta I would treat like crap, I'm surprised the engine still runs as it would hit the redline several times a day. The Z, however, I wash, wax, and generally baby like my own child. I find myself going slower, and being much more careful in the Z, all the while having more fun doing it. Have I punched it to 60 from a red light? You bet I have but not if there was any chance of my precious car getting a dinge, scratch, bottoming out, etc...

I'm not keeping the car when I go to college, I'm taking the Jetta and the Z is only a great motivation because it just makes me want to work harder so that one day I can buy a sports-car of my own.

Edit: I've also paid for all Z related expenses including the monthly payments while I've been driving.

 

Im sorry this is not meant to come off offensive in anyway, but i have to justify my actions or my parents actions to noone. As far as im concerned, theres two types of kids or reactions to getting a new sports car or Z or anything else. Type A will see it as a responsibility without actually paying for it. They will still treat it like every last dollar of theirs is going towards the car, and it means the world to them. Type B will see it as just a car, or they will love it and simply are not responsible enough to handle a sports car of any sort. Do not hate/flame a driver because of their age. Whats the point. Nothing is gonna change. You made it on your own, and thats awesome. I had an explorer for two years, and we traded it in and i got a Z. I have been responsible and treat the car the way i treated my truck, my sisters car, my dads truck, or my moms truck. Getting a Z wont change the person. The few times i have seen Z owners in the area, they were of all ages, from about 50 to 25. All of them waved and smiled. Thats what we all should do. There will always be someone who doesnt have to pay for anything and gets what he wants, so theres nothing you can do. You might think some of the 16/17/18/19 year olds dont deserve the car, and you might be right but you'remost likely wrong. So in the end, were all Z drivers, and thats what brought us together in the first place. So wave smile and drive on, cause i know i will, regardless of what you do.

Bill Tracy ~ 19

 

Damn, great job on your SATs. You beat my score by quite a bit

Although you aren't able to say it's YOUR Z, that doesn't matter when you're behind the wheel, anyway. Besides, with that SAT score, in a few years you'll be done with college and have a job that'll buy you a car even better than the Z.

 

As much as people this thread have tried to rationalize teenagers having 30K US (50K CAD) sports cars, these teenagers won't know the value of car they are driving. When I was a teenager I drove a 4 yr old Intregra (got it cheap cuz it had been in an accident). It lasted me 4 yrs, but those 4 yrs I looked at other newer Intregras in aww. I couldn't even imagine having somethin like a 300ZX or a Supra. Now years and 2 university degrees later I can finally afford a real sports car like a 350. These teenagers will never have that sense of accomplishment you have when you can afford a luxury like a sports car (instead of a civic).
BTW I do also live alone and pay a boat-load towards my student loans.

 

I get alot of hating (if that's what you wana call it) for driving my Z. I'm 21 years old and I'm pretty accomplished at my age. I'm a surgical tech and part time medical sales rep. I have an associate's degree. I'm also a Sergeant in the Army Reserve. I work my tail off to have something so beautiful and to be able to say that it's mine. This is my third car. You guys should be proud of us younger sucessful guys. But when I hear about the 16 year olds getting cars like Z's and BMW's it bothers me. If I was rich and I wanted my son to have a nice car I would wait until the time is right. Most kids at 16 can't tell their head from their *** much less know what the legacy of an awesome car like the Z is. I think once they can learn to appreciate things and stop trying to be like their favorite star on MTV, kids of that age would have respect for their property. Until then I will just say what I always say. "That's mom's car right!, I thought so."

 

I read your comments. You called me a middle-aged wussie who should get off my *** and earn some money, right? Not that I have to prove myself to you, but I paid cash for my 35K car. That's right, *****....CASH. So you just keep making your payments and bragging about how all that interest you're shelling out is good for the economy. When my son is old enough to drive, he'll not be in a sports car, though I could certainly afford to put him in one. Unlike most parents (and probably yours), I don't believe that any teen-ager needs a high-powered sports car and no experience under their belt to control it.

Why do you suppose fighter pilots start their training in lower-powered, more controllable aircraft? Could it possibly have something to do with the fact that they need to learn some skills before they are deemed safe in the real thing? Why should a car be any different.

There, now someone has replied to your comments.

 

Congrats if you are young and drive a nice car. Enjoy it ... don't worry so much about what others think. Screw them. You only live once, and it's better to enjoy things when you're young and able to. Once you get older, you have family, responsibilities, bills, etc to worry about. Drive your car and have fun. I was 24 (look about 20) when I bought my G. When I'm washing my car, I've had people say "washing your dad's car?" Doesn't bother me, if that's what the want to think. For the most part, I think most people who do make negative comments are jealous. Just be responsible and don't go try racing every other car on the roads.

 

Thank you kcobean! I couldn't have said it better myself.

 

Bottom line: this is an internet forum. No one really knows how old you are until you start spouting off about "why does the older crowd hate on us younger people?" Your posts reflect your maturity level, not your age, and if you have something worthwhile to contribute, great! If you just want to whine, then you're not going to be received as well.

 

I hate it when a kid says its his car but its really his dad's or mom's.

I saw a "kid" driving a Z a few months back from my school, I was like cool another Z owner. A few days later I pull up to the same car (knew because of his plates), talked with a real nice guy, turns out the guy was the kids father. The father was saying the kid uses my car like its his toy. LOL!

Another point, a woman that lives around me drives a red 350Z, often I see her daughter drive it.

Not saying its true for all the "kids".

 

First, let me say I agree with all you have said in this reply and your earlier
ones and personally no one ever bought me a car, let alone, a high performance sports car (I am 61). I never bought my kids a high performance car when then were young because of the reasons you cited. However, I wouldn't put down a kid because his parents bought him a Z. I would put hiim down (or even hate him) to his acting like a A.. hole and driving like a mad man just as much I would a person my own age who behaved the same way.

As I said in earlier reply to this thread. It isn 't how you got your Z, it's what you do with it after you have it, age may or may not be a factor int that behavior.

 

well..since all the "kids" are explaining there storys to everyone....i got my Z through my dad, it was my turn to get a car, my sister and brother got there cars when they were sophmores so i had to wait...i had no problem...i drove an old 86 mercedes wagon that barely ran and i ran into numerous problems with it...so not only did i learn how to drive like a pro but i also learned how to work on them...so this year it came along to buying my sister a new car and i was pretty disapointed when they told me but i said ok...so my rents decided to buy a Z (my car) for my sister...i was pretty pissed but i mean what could i do....later about 2 weeks (sister still hasn't picked up car) my dad went to atlantic city for a business trip (convention) and he won an RX8, a 46" plasma TV and eneough money to get his money back for the Z, and he was pretty happy, so i talked my sister into taking the RX8 and letting me get the Z....i will have to say everyone around here is jealous about now but i do held my self as being very mature about my car, i wax just about every week if i get the chance and i wash about once every 2 days...i take care of the car more than most people on this forums....i put it up on jack stands not too long ago right after the winter season and went around with a bottle of sealant and went on a search for rust and anything i could find on the underbody. i also change my oil every 3k miles with redline fully synthetic oil 10W30, i also use a K&N oil filter....im just getting at that i am very greatfull for what i have gotten....i dont rub it in, im just greatfull...and what mofoz said about waving back and forth exchanging greating from other Z's i do it all the time in my area....i dunno if its the reputation i have held in my area with the Z owners but thats my story...

Ben

 

How u got your Z doesn't really matter it's how u handle the responsiblility of having the car, age is no factor. I've got friends that act like and drive like fools and think it's fun and they are well into their 40's.

P.S. My father grew up poor and made a successful life for his family always wanting to give his kids more than he had, me being the oldest of 3 kids i had to work and pay for anything i got and then somewhere in life that changed, my sister got a brand new camaro when she graduate high school paid for by dad, and my younger brother got a new 300zx with t tops when he graduated, i only got the hand shake. But i said to myself then one i would my me a sports car. What a coincidence some 21 years later. There were no wrecks or accidents so age no factor.

 

Ben,
You're one of those totally cool young guys I've met that really does the "young" Z community justice. I also know just enough about you to know that you're paying your dues regardless. I'll still stand by my original thought that even though you take excellent care of your car, I look at my car differently than you do yours purely because of how I acquired it. That's not at all a dig on you, it's just the way it goes. I really don't knock anyone for getting handed the keys to a Z, even though sometimes I have a difficult time understanding the parental logic behind it.

If you were born with the proverbial "silver spoon" in your mouth, that's totally cool as long as you're humble about it and responsible with it and don't get the "The world is mine to do with as I please because Daddy said so" attitude about you. I don't recall ever seeing you complaining during the many recurrences of this topic, you just step up and act like an adult.

A big part of the Z experience for those of us who are financially responsible for our cars is the sacrifice made to own the car and the pride that comes from being in a position to be able to make that sacrifice in the first place. No, it's not a Ferrari, but then what percentage of the poplulation can afford one of those. It's not that any of us hold owning a Z against those who receive it as a gift, we just look at their ownership of the car with a different perspective.

The best way to get around it with us "old timers" is to just not bring it up and focus on enjoying the car. You figured that one out right off the bat.

Anyway...it's like 90 degrees, the sun's out, and I'm goin' driving! Later!