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Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:31 pm

I bought the Squareback as a project car for my son and me. He is about to turn 15 and Wanda (73 Squareback) was going to be his first car when he turned 16 based on a few conditions. 1. He help fix and learn about her. 2. He must maintain all insurance and gas for her. 3. He must pass all classes for school!!!!!!!! Well grades came out today and he is failing 2 of his classes :x Just mid way before the grades came out I gave the ultimatum that if he did not get his grades up Wanda would have the for sale sign on her. Well he did raise his grades in some classes but not to the agreed standard. So do I stick with my guns and Sell a car that I love :cry: , or place a for sell sign on her?

Scott

Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:37 pm

if i were you id keep it for myself! maybe till he gets his grades back up or something

Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:41 pm

Thought about that but, I want him to understand how important his education is. He has failed this grade once before and I was thinking the car would give him some focus. Since he has shown improvement on the grades I also thought about getting another car when and if he passes school in May.

Fri Nov 21, 2003 8:55 pm

Heres what you do. Put it up for sale with some absurd price on it. Maybe four times what you paid for it. If it sells great but I doubt it will and I imagine your son will get his grades up before too long. I have heard of people doing this when wives want cars sold. Just ask way too much. Failing grades are not good at all and I think everyone should go on to college, but I think what alot of kids need is something to be passionate about. It is empowering to figure out a VW and do so many things yourself. Maybe he is not so motivated in a class or too but the VW could be a life-long educational experience. That car is physics, chemistry, romance and tragedy all in one. And us bus owners get into biology :wink: as well. I wouldn't sell the car. Just make him put in new cv joints and hide those damn inside washers until he has the joints back on. That will be punishment enough.

Fri Nov 21, 2003 9:13 pm

In alotta ways....raising kids is like raising puppys...........
NEVER give a command you can't enforce....
NEVER make a promise you can't keep......
so....I'd follow star76's advice and put the car up for sale at a high price...that way you at least followed thru and demonstrated YOU keep your promises........
maybe next time you won't make such a sacrifice of a promise!

Fri Nov 21, 2003 9:58 pm

I would be alittle forgiving and just postpone giving him the car until his grades come up.That way the carrot isn't just yanked away and there is still something to work toward. I remember what I was like at that age and was lucky enough to have parents that knew what was really important to strickly enforce and what they could let slide just a bit.

Sat Nov 22, 2003 9:05 am

I hate to say it, but maybe the kid's interests have changed. My son was like that too, was into bugs, then watercooled, now type3's. A friend of mines kid, was working on getting his bug going (spent 2 years working on it), only to change his mind about things, and got into dirt bikes (motorcycles). He lost all interest in the VW he and his dad were working on. It might be worth talking to the kid and find out what he wants to do. He might have decided to go in another direction, or he might be having trouble in school with a particular subject. Either way, it might be worth discussing.

Sat Nov 22, 2003 2:54 pm

well she is up for sale. I am asking just a little more than I think I can get. But if she sells it will fund my bus.

Scott

Sat Nov 22, 2003 2:56 pm

One last thing, Thanks for all the advise.

Scott

Sat Nov 22, 2003 6:04 pm

Why not keep it and modify your stipulation somewhat. How bout...you cannot drive the car unless you are passing all your classes. Seems to me seeing that Type 3 sitting in the driveway waiting for him would be sufficient motiviation. Especially knowing that the keys are just a passing grade away. But do not, under any circumstances, give in to his "just one time" begging.

Just my .02 cents. 8)

Thu Nov 27, 2003 3:52 pm

I'm agreeing with 68Squar'd I'm only 14 but don't give in. He may be an ass about it, He may say he hates you but... well i'm not in your son's position. I have a fasty with no engine so I have to earn money to pay for it. And i'm failing algebra so i'm hoping my car is enough to give me focus. I may not pass Algebra but i'll have a car. Thats good enough for me.

Thu Nov 27, 2003 7:01 pm

Stick to your guns... The problem with youth today is lower standards. You are setting him up for failure by NOT sticking to your guns. Put a sign on it to show him you mean business and if they come up to your standard before it sells give it to him as a gift. Makes sense don't you think?

Thu Nov 27, 2003 9:49 pm

I stuck to my guns and put a for sell sign on the squareback. Within 4 days she was sold. As much as it pained me I choked back my tears then went inside and drank a beer. I felt as if I had to make him understand the importance of education. I hope one day next year after he picks up his grades we can get another project car. And I hope he understands later why I sold Wanda. :cry:

Fri Nov 28, 2003 12:46 am

When I was about 16 I was a terrible student in high school and I had 1 thing on my mind. VW's. (oh and chicks) My dad told me if I made honor roll with a 4.0 he would help me get alot of stuff to restore my '54 (first bug)
I tried pretty damn hard but not enough. I was so let down when I only got a 3.8 and my dad didnt help me out. I was so mad, I rebeled and went back to my old hard headed shitty ways and screwed up big time next semester. I really tried and let both of us down. I realized later that he was trying to teach me a valuable lesson but back then I didnt see it that way. I was mad at him. Anyways, I hope your son doesnt make the same mistake I made.
I probably would've pretended to sell Wanda and stashed it at a buddies house until he made good on his end. Im just speaking on my own hard headed experience. Anyways, hopefully y'all will figure something out and make it work for the best. Unfortunately my dad wasnt at all interested in cars. I really wished he was but he spent more time with my brother who was into sports. Either way, sooner or later I came to my senses and raised my grades and totally restored MY car MYself. Good luck. Sounds like your son has an understanding father.

Sat Nov 29, 2003 9:38 pm

man you know speaking as a 17 yr old high school student...i think that it would also be kind of a good deal if for every A get earns he can get one part for the car...sounds good to me!