Is my GF's Dad being a Sh--head?

At one time, I was a week behind on my child support because I'd spent about $2500 on the green Corrado (early VR6 timing chain tensioners, clutch, motor mounts, front stuts). She asked why I didn't sell the thing and buy something "new". I asked her how much her monthly payment & insurance bill was...seemed she'd spent about $7K on her car in a single year. I reminded her that even with the $2500 bucks, I'd only spent about $3500 on mine in the same period of time.

I'm with Type Q on this one. If the car's really the creampuff you think it is, any inspection (one or two hours labor, and only that much if they don't know you) by a good shop will show it. I've actually had professional mechanics say "..dude, you stole that car!" when I've been lucky enough to bring them a good one. Slip the technician an extra 20 bucks to document the good stuff on the shop's service order paperwork, and politely remind the girl's dad that he's no professional mechanic.

1. Tell your girlfriend you're sitting this one out but will be available to answer any questions.

2. Also, tell your girlfriend to grow a spine and tell her father to STFU.

3. Who cares about staying on the father's good side? Just bang her whenever she wants for as long as she wants. Who do you think she'll listen to then?

If he is worried that she will get stuck with the car, somewhere possibly dangerious, the answer is easy.

Suggest she get the car a proper inspection to ease dad's fears, and suggest she get herself a CCW and learn how to use it well. Done. Responsibility is fun.

If she can aford new car and justify it to her self thats great. Whoopi doo. Me on the other hand cant do that right now. My 01 P71 is the new'est I have had. I am pretty happy with it.

BTW you are not maried to her yet. Do you want to deal with her mom & dad for the rest of you life ??

Offer a financial challenge! Figure the cost of car payment and increased insurance to the point where you can reasonably find a monthly cost.

Ask her to start a savings plan for this amount and stick to it for a year when you will reevaluate the plan.

This will show her how the payments will impact her money supply, prove her ability to make these payments, allow her (and dad) to compare the costs and actually put the point off for a year!!!

Allow that repairs to the Taurus will come out of this fund but not regular maintainence items such as oil changes, brakes, tires and such. These items will be applicable to a new car too!

Get a good inspection of the Taurus done and check the owners manual for the maintainence schedule. (How many of you guys actually CHANGE the automatic trans fluid when recommended?)

At the end of the year, if you spend $1500 for repairs on the Taurus (figured very high) She should have $5800 in the bank (down payment) and a well maintained Taurus for a trade in if that is the way to go.

Be strict on the payment (to savings) date just as if it were car and insurance payment.

Experience tells me that she will try to get you to tell her that it is acceptable to suspend or modify the plan for EVERY reason she can find. Your responce should always be "If you had a new car, would the finance company accept that you want a new (insert item here) or spent it on (ditto)??"

Rules also state that if she just rebels and misses a few payments, she loses driving priviledges after 2 months.

Let her know that failure at any point along the way is verification that she lacks the means or the will to purchase a new car!

Sounds tough!! and it is!!

Favorite was when I was told I was being an (anatomical item and/or function of an item usually covered by underwear)!!! My responce was that I was being a finance company.

Bruce

Allright, okay. Lots of good stuff.

First, the real reason I posted was to make sure that my own opinion wasn't full of BS. I take working on my own cars, and the dirt cheap maintenance costs, for granted. I just wanted to doublecheck that I wasn't being daft in thinking that what's good for me is good for her.

Some details. She is 30, has a full time job, and lives on her own dime. The impression I've gotten, from her, is that she's a big girl now, and yes indeedy, she thinks daddy is trying to forget that. I'm not too worried about the situation beyond giving her advice. If she does break down and buy a new car, well, that's her problem. Frankly I think she's enjoying a life without car payments too much to get back into debt again.

LOVE the idea of getting a professional inspection. That should ease her mind, and make it easy for her to blow off her dad's well-intentioned pestering. Next time the subject arises, I'll also mention putting aside $X every month for car maintenance. She's pretty capable of doing something like that, and, once again, having that nugget tucked away will sooth her anxieties.

I'm not dopey enough to get into confrontations with her dad over this issue. She's an adult, she can deal with her own folks, and we aren't married. I'm wise enough to just offer my advice on the matter, so long as I know it's sound, and then just stay out of the way of any father daughter scuffles. Hey, if she ignores me, I get to say, "I told you so."

Also, yes, gentlemen, I will, no matter what, continue to bang his daughter as often as I can.

FindlaySpeedMan wrote: Also, yes, gentlemen, I will, no matter what, continue to bang his daughter as often as I can.

FindlaySpeedMan wrote: Also, yes, gentlemen, I will, no matter what, continue to bang his daughter as often as I can.

Gentlemen (as long as we're continuing in that vein), I am shocked that no one has stated the obvious:

Isn't the answer always Miata?

For peace of mind I would also suggest a roadside assistance plan like AAA. She should also check with her insurance company and see if they have a discount program that can be attached to her policy. It shows that she is taking steps to secure her self and the car in the unlikely event their is a roadside break down.

An unbiased assesmant of the vehicle is a good idea even if the new car is out of the picture. Brake pads are low, lets change them BEFORE the rotors are toast. Valve cover is seeping, lets tighten it BEFORE the engine mouts are soaked in oil and need to be replaced. Etc. Etc...

X2 on AAA. When the s*** hits the fan they've always been prompt & professional