Has starting a family affected your interest in cars?

". ." (xllx) 08/07/2013 at 20:20 • Filed to: oppositelock

1

17

After a recent breakup (yes, ladies - I'm avaliable; wink wink) I started having some weirdly family oriented thoughts. I always assumed that late teens and early 20's are the time for automotive crazyness. That's when you get to buy whatever you like (and can afford) without having to worry about its practicality; whether the kids will be comfortable in the back and if the boot can accomodate a pram. That said I'd like to know about your experiences in the matter. Were you forced to completely forsake your automotive dreams and just do what's best for the family? Does your significant other have a lot of influence regarding your car choices? Maybe you found some solution to the problem, some sort of quick and sporty dadmobile perhaps? Or do you have a nice car, just for teh pleasure of driving?

I don't have much experience in that field, as I've not started a family yet (and I'm really far from doing that too). While none of the women I've been involved with liked the car choices I make ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , not converting the car to LPG for lower running costs, salivating over wierd and often objectively rubbish cars), none of them had any real say in the matter. I like to think that when "the one" comes along, she'll understand.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Feel free to share you experiences, observations and tips.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > . . 08/07/2013 at 20:30

2

One girl I was with hated me and my car issue. Always buying random cars then selling them. I got chewed out each time I made a new purchase on a car...

Girl after that was totally understanding about my love of cars, but she tried to keep me grounded saying I didn't need it, it was just a want, stuff like that, respected my decision but didn't force anything.

More recent girl, lets me do what I want, as it is my money, she doesn't care where it goes, as long as I'm happy. Which is great, I can do what I want with no worry haha.

Although I'm no where near starting a family as you are, I'm only 20 years old, no interest in having kids as of yet, and until I find the one, I won't have that interest for a while.

I've always told myself, when the "one" comes around, we will both have an understanding for what the other wants, and likes, and respect that within reason. I will always have at least one fun car, and one "daddy" car if its feasible, and affordable. Family is always first, at least how I was raised..

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > . . 08/07/2013 at 20:38

2

I was flat ass broke when I was that age. Not a chance in hell I could afford the cars I liked. It made all the middle aged guys riding around in Corvettes make sense. They drove them, not because they were going through a mid-life crisis, but because they were broke when they were young too.... So now that I am older, young people smirking when they see me driving some cool car, can just kiss my bald spot. I've earned it.

#nowgetoffmylawn

Tom McParland > . . 08/07/2013 at 20:42

0

I'm glad I love sport-wagons, perfect for fast dads. :)

Sn210 > . . 08/07/2013 at 20:45

0

I wouldn't say it affected my interest in cars, but I think practicality gets more weight when I decide to buy my next car. Before I got married last year, I was thinking 135i because I wanted something fun to drive. But now we've got a dog, we take care of my inlaws dog often, and probably have so start thinking baby in 1-2 years... Now I'm thinking 335i... Maybe even a wagon? There are a lot less choices for fun AND practical

Battery Tender Unnecessary > . . 08/07/2013 at 20:56

0

I'm running into something almost the opposite. I'm a single, 31 year old professional. My only monthly commitments are my school loan payment and car payments. All of this led to a situation where I could afford a new SLS since there was really nothing else competing for my time and money. (FYI finding companies that will insure a car that expensive is harder than finding financing at the moment). I've got an old Range Rover Sport as a daily driver to keep it relatively low key which all of my friends and family love for it's comfort, solid feel, looks, etc. I previously thought about trading it on a 6-speed CTS-V wagon when everyone I talked to was like "A STATION WAGON, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING? You don't even have a wife or kids and it's not even 4WD." Even more recently I've been talking to the guy that sold me the SLS about ordering an AWD 2014 E63S Wagon, to which everyone just roll their eyes. I see it as the best combination of all-weather mobility, comfortable long distance travel for up to 4 of my firends, decent cargo, and ridiculous sound/speed. That or the new Range Rover Sport which is also looking good, but isn't as "Jalop" as the wagon.

Bottom line, you can't win either way.

f86sabre > . . 08/07/2013 at 20:57

1

Hasn't impacted us one bit. Before our son was born 6 years ago I had a 2003 Evo VIII and my wife had a 2005 Mini Cooper S. Today we have an Evo VIII and a Mini Cooper S. No SUV. No minivan. No boring. Even the large duely stroller we used when baby #2 came fit fine in the Evo. Only accommodation we've made is that we swapped cars. I drive the Mini to work and the wife and kids roll in the Evo. They get a lot of envious looks from the other parents in the school drop off line. Kids love it too. My wife wants to swap back cars once kid #2 is big enough to go into a booster seat from the child seat.

Beyond that, we built our LeMons car after our son was born. Both my wife and I drive it. My wife and I have gone to F-1 races, Le Mans and other automotive events since we've had kids. We've done the Red Bull Soapbox Race as well. We are taking the boy to Global Rallycross this weekend. Just because you have kids doesn't mean you stop having fun as a family or a couple.

You and your partner don't have to share every interest. I know I'm am beyond lucky in that my wife is into this kind of stuff. We still have things that each of us like as individuals and that is great! You don't have to totally change how you live just because you have kids. Kids are very adaptable and will have fun if you are having fun. The kids love riding in the Evo with the windows down and hearing the turbo spool up. It makes them smile and it makes me smile. Sure, you will want to keep them safe, and if you drive like a huligan you should probably stop, but everything else is good.

AbigGRNboot > . . 08/07/2013 at 21:10

0

Interest, no.

Financial ability to explore my interest, yes.

10 y.o. in 3 sports. Football, wrestling, and baseball.

Lots of gas, equipment, time, &...uh...fun.

J. Walter Weatherman > . . 08/07/2013 at 21:11

0

Affected my interest in cars? Not one bit. Affected my decisions about cars? Sure, a bit. My wife and I are actively trying to have kids right now, so all of our future plans take kids into account. When I needed a new car last year, I wound up going with a Jetta TDI instead of something sportier/less practical. That said, it wasn't that much of a compromise for me, because torquey diesel and the 6-speed are more than enough fun for my tastes. However, I plan on having multiple cars rather than one do-it-all car, so now that I have the child-friendly car out of the way, my next purchase (a project car) will likely not be constrained by child considerations.

Leadbull > . . 08/07/2013 at 21:13

0

Two words:
Sport.
Wagon.

I'm only 19, but I don't expect any future children to ruin my automotive tastes. That's because I like interesting cars in general, and not strictly sports cars, though. If you're a guy who only enjoys ground-hugging roadsters, then kids might change your perspective.

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > . . 08/07/2013 at 21:52

0

Not interest, but go to a track and you'll see a lot of dudes in their forties fifties and sixties. It's because speed costs money, and you'll never have more than that time on your life, as a dude. Statistically speaking, you'll be making more than you ever have and if somehow you manage to get your kids out of the house you have literally thousands more per month in disposable income. You do the math. Once you have kids you just bide your time and try and sneak a wrx or Audi wagon on as a "practical" vehicle and autocross as "family time." I'm partly exaggerating, but only partly. I don't have a sport wagon.

pellejuice > . . 08/07/2013 at 23:12

1

Hasn't affected me at all! I'm 33, have 3 kids and all 3 car seats fit in the back of my 08 STI... The key is to get narrow car seats.

My wife drives a 09 Forester XT - which is awesome because as I upgrade my STI, I've been putting the STI parts on the Forester. 2 for 1 upgrades!

Ketchup Fingers > Battery Tender Unnecessary 08/08/2013 at 00:58

0

You don't pay rent? Must be nice...

Shawn > f86sabre 08/08/2013 at 20:42

0

I am almost in love with your wife, and I am already married!

I did cave and buy an SUV. It has 300hp and AWD, but not a lot of fun. We do a lot of bike riding and things of the sort. Two road bikes, baby trailer, baby stuff, car seat, and two adults is a lot to get into my Evo 8 or her e46 bmw. I have done it once or twice, but there is so much planning involved, that I have been tempted to take two cars just to go for a ride on the beach. Now I just fold down third row and throw everything in. My uncle gave us a bike rack that plugs into the tow hitch recently, so now it is even easier.

When my son was a newborn a guy in front a restaurant that we frequent offered to buy my Evo since I had to be selling it. I can sit in the seat behind the drivers seat and I am 5'11". My two foot long, at the time, newborn was fine.

My wife would let me build a LeMons project, but she would not get her hands dirty besides holding a flashlight. She would definitely hoon it though. I taught her how to do a burn out while we were dating.

Going forward, I think we will keep a truck or SUV in the household. Neither of us wants it as a daily driver though.

f86sabre > Shawn 08/08/2013 at 21:05

0

We have a plain Jane 2002 Chevy pickup for when we need to haul stuff. Everyone's life is what it is. Glad you found a setup that works for you. When people come and visit we have to take two cars. I figure it isn't a big deal to do that for the 3% of the year when we need extra seats. Now, we have thought about getting some kind of family Truckster to keep the miles off the Evo. Bikes and stuff like you play with make the extra size worth while.

Sounds like you've got a keeper with your wife as well. Getting out and having fun with the family is what it all about.

Shawn > f86sabre 08/08/2013 at 21:31

0

"Keep miles of the Evo" is a euphemism for upgrading it in my household. My 2003 is basically stock. I have held off major upgrades because she has not worked since 2010. She has been in nursing school. Only one more year left, and I can build my car!

Turbos have gotten much more expensive than they used to be. Everything is almost $2k now.

f86sabre > Shawn 08/08/2013 at 21:34

0

Yeah, my Evo is pretty much stock too. I've had ideas and I have the tools, but I like the fact that it runs and it is a lot of fun as is.

Brewman15 > . . 08/09/2013 at 09:16

0

Affected my interest in cars? Absolutely not. I still post here and my specific car forums regularly. :)

Affected the time I spend enjoying my interest in cars? Absolutely. My truck has been sitting up on jack-stands for quite some time after a compression test yielded low compression on the #8 cylinder after a cam/head swap. I haven't had much time to figure out the issue lately. My Honda is in the garage with the hood-up for the last 2 weeks waiting foe me to install a new A/C compressor after the old one seized. My Volvo is in need of some new suspension bushings but will have to make do for a while.

Before my son, I would have come home from work and immediately started working on cars until the late hours of the night. Now, I can only maybe squeeze in a couple hours a week between the time he goes to bed and I force myself to go to bed early knowing he'll be up super early or not sleep through the night. It's worth it though.

The good news is even though he's 19 months old, he's extremely interested in cars, and he's interested in helping me work on them.