Need opinions on a summer project.

[The Radium King]

p-lap - how do you support an economy where everyone wants stuff but doesn't want to work for it? protectionism (keep your hands off my stuff)? expansion (or imperialism - go and take someone else's stuff)? either approach ends in conflict. so don't fret, it'll come full circle. and all you'll have to do is change the 'wwii' in your post to 'wwiii'.

[papasmurf]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

we were all kids once too. So don't be too hard on Big Jake.

But this a generational thing for sure. I've been having some issues with some millenialls who report to me. I was taken by surprise at how drastically their attitudes on well just about anything involving work and money have changed vs. guys who are about 8-12 years older. I seem to view it this way now: My father is pre war (WWII). My mother is a boomer. The less you had growing up of as far as the basics, the harder it is for you to take what you did not earn and easier you are to please. A small house will do. One TV in the house is not just good enough but a real privilege. A car in the driveway is amazing, no matter the year or model. One vacation every 5 years is something to look forward to. Spending money really is a last resort thing. Having access to any kind of food in the supermarket is winning the birth lottery (unlike a billion living in India).

Then you have the boomers. They grew up with prosperity and an expectation that their lives would get better. All they had to do is work. <--major game change in America. They wanted a somewhat bigger house (still modest), a color TV, a newer car (but still one car). Summer vacations were expected. Interest rates were high so consumption was still capped.

After that it all goes down hill. The better the economy you grew up in, the more you had in the house. Multiple cars, houses with larger foot prints, multiple bathrooms, flat screen TV in multiple rooms, a vacation home or regular out of state trips, toys (atvs, boats, etc.) and waist lines bulged to the point where not just one person in the home is 20 lbs or more overweight but many family are this way. Those millenials who grew up during the economic boom of back to back bull markets (80's and 90's) were all of the above but on steroids. And now we have the the kids that grew up in the 2000's. Their parents (Gen X'ers) gorged on low interest cheap credit and filled the house with all manner of things their incomes could not sustain in the long term. Pizza for Junior's dinner again? "Oh what the hell I'm tired." So now their kids are consumption focused. Very little as far as saving/investing, belt-tightening was imparted on them.
We've gone full circle from the pre-war kids to the Barney generation.

It was never fun when I was a teen and all the other kids hung out at the pool all summer and I had to mow lawns all summer but the reality of the real world at a young age made entering the work force full time years later so much easier. It is sad how many young people have never had any kind of job until after they graduate college (taking 8 years to get a 4 year degree on daddy's credit cards). Most of the people I work with, live from paycheck to paycheck partly because they have poor jobs and partly because they lack financial common sense. Every time tax season rolls around you can guarantee that they will blow their income tax return in a weekend or two.

[TeamOxford]

The ad is gone.

Maybe Duddy Kravitz is learning. Still think his rep, if there's any left, may never recover.

TO

[BIGJake111]

I highly see what is wrong with the project, but under no circumstance would I not mention the Porsche, that would make it alot more appealing to donate and alot less bratty but that is dishonest, I'd rather sound spoiled than have money donate then find out after the fact that they donated to a kid with a Porsche as well.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by Timco

Since my parents gave me a Porsche and cover insurance, if the public would just chip in and give me a DD to keep the miles down and keep the Porsche safe, life would be grand......after all, that's still less than what my parents spent on my sister!

Sound about right?

Jake...

It's OK that your folks can afford to give you a 986 as your first car. I wish my dad was in that position. Just stop using the term "I own" when "you were given". Show a little respect. Most of us bought our own cars. It is very cool that you chose a 986. Just leave it at that.

It's OK that you come here to ask for help or brag about your car. That's what this site is for....

It's not OK to ask the public (me and everyone else on here) to fund a DD, no matter how creatively you do it.

I under no circumstance expected people here to donate, I brought it here as I wanted opinions on it, which are all appreciated, I am hard headed, but I do listen, it just takes a lot of it haha.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

I under no circumstance expected people here to donate, I brought it here as I wanted opinions on it, which are all appreciated, I am hard headed, but I do listen, it just takes a lot of it haha.

My point was that we, the members of this forum, are the public. You're getting public opinions.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by TeamOxford

The ad is gone.

Maybe Duddy Kravitz is learning. Still think his rep, if there's any left, may never recover.

TO

We all make mistakes, and the original interest was to have a right brain story behind my Volvo. As said before, I could have just had my parents buy it. I don't really want one after researching the car more, but if I did I would be getting it someway under my doing. Overall I just did not want to bring up a post next year with an even better Boxster keyed or smashed by vandalistic rednecks. However all said is welcome, and I was planed to get a job this summer, but currently I do not have transportation to get to a job.

[BYprodriver]

Originally Posted by Timco

My point was that we, the members of this forum, are the public. You're getting public opinions.

A public that is predisposed to like BigJake at that.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by Timco

My point was that we, the members of this forum, are the public. You're getting public opinions.

Yes opinions, I was taking the ad other places for the kind if people I expected to give a crap about having their name on a dash haha. Which the opinions are all welcome, I was on the edge of if I should do this or not, but I really wanted to do it. I knew it was controversial and brought it here to get opinions and maybe have enough chime in to make me really want to do it, or talk me out of it. So all I can say is thanks to all, I feel I would have regretted it if I followed through, posts here are categorized as tough love and wise words for me.

[batshapedheart]

Fellas, I think we are forgetting a couple of real facts, 1) Jake is 16, seriously how much maturity are you expecting out of him? He is most definitely not part of the generation most of those in this forum are part of (I'm not one of them).
I for one have worked since I was 13, when I used to bag powdered milk.
Also lets point out the 2nd fact, in this time and age the crowdfunding could work!
Still that doesn't make it neither a great idea nor a success story. Remember we live in a world where people who bring so little to the world as Kim Kardashian have over 8 million followers on Instagram alone.
So, Jake is your idea an original one? No. Could it work? Heck yeah. Would I brag that I crowdfunded my 2nd vehicle because I didn't want my Porsche to get dirty? The answer to this last question would prove to us that you are just 16.

[papasmurf]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

As said before, I could have just had my parents buy it. I don't really want one after researching the car more, but if I did I would be getting it someway under my doing. Overall I just did not want to bring up a post next year with an even better Boxster keyed or smashed by vandalistic rednecks.

I think here in might lie part of why I would be worried if I was you to drive the car to school....it would be one thing to drive it to school and never gloat over the fact that it was a porsche, that your parents would buy whatever you wanted, etc. but if that is the perception your peers have of you (dont' know...just saying) then there might be some concern about the safety of your vehicle in the parking lot if you are throwing it in people's face to some extent. I am not saying that their reactions would be correct or justified but you have to see where they are coming from...no one like someone acting like a spoiled brat.

Whenever people ask me what I drive, I tell them a small convertible and try to leave it at that unless they pry more and/or are real car enthusiasts. Humility can take you a long way in life if you let it.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by The Radium King

p-lap - how do you support an economy where everyone wants stuff but doesn't want to work for it? protectionism (keep your hands off my stuff)? expansion (or imperialism - go and take someone else's stuff)? either approach ends in conflict. so don't fret, it'll come full circle. and all you'll have to do is change the 'wwii' in your post to 'wwiii'.

Well I didn't say that. And I certainly didn't intend for it to be blanket statement.
The U.S. still has one of the highest worker participation rates in the world. Amongst G20 states, we're at 8 hours per day (or 1700 hours per year) -- still in the top 10 for most hours worked in a day (Mexico is #1 with a 10 hour day).

My point was more about expectations. People are still working hard, they just expect to be given more for it.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

Yes opinions, I was taking the ad other places for the kind if people I expected to give a crap about having their name on a dash haha. Which the opinions are all welcome, I was on the edge of if I should do this or not, but I really wanted to do it. I knew it was controversial and brought it here to get opinions and maybe have enough chime in to make me really want to do it, or talk me out of it. So all I can say is thanks to all, I feel I would have regretted it if I followed through, posts here are categorized as tough love and wise words for me.

Originally Posted by batshapedheart

Fellas, I think we are forgetting a couple of real facts, 1) Jake is 16, seriously how much maturity are you expecting out of him? He is most definitely not part of the generation most of those in this forum are part of (I'm not one of them).
I for one have worked since I was 13, when I used to bag powdered milk.
Also lets point out the 2nd fact, in this time and age the crowdfunding could work!
Still that doesn't make it neither a great idea nor a success story. Remember we live in a world where people who bring so little to the world as Kim Kardashian have over 8 million followers on Instagram alone.
So, Jake is your idea an original one? No. Could it work? Heck yeah. Would I brag that I crowdfunded my 2nd vehicle because I didn't want my Porsche to get dirty? The answer to this last question would prove to us that you are just 16.

I have worked since the age of 9 and expected my kids to start working by the age of 16 at the latest, which they did. In Jake's case, I see the unbridled enthusiasm of youth. Jake is from a different era than most of us. Personally, if the proposal was worded a bit differently, it might have succeeded, what do I(we) know? I still believe Jake should have a job as a prerequisite to having a car. That was the deal I made with my kids. You want a car? Then you get to pay for gas, insurance repairs, etc. I told each that they needed a minimum of $1000 in the bank to cover repairs. It really sucks to be driving in Texas in the summer without air conditioning! I am glad to see that Jake has recognized the "tough love" on this forum. I am also glad that a 16 year old sees the value of advice and a Porsche! Remember, he could have just gone and done his project without asking for advice.Not many 16 year olds would ask a bunch of old farts for advice. As TO would say, "Just sayin"

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by papasmurf

I think here in might lie part of why I would be worried if I was you to drive the car to school....it would be one thing to drive it to school and never gloat over the fact that it was a porsche, that your parents would buy whatever you wanted, etc. but if that is the perception your peers have of you (dont' know...just saying) then there might be some concern about the safety of your vehicle in the parking lot if you are throwing it in people's face to some extent. I am not saying that their reactions would be correct or justified but you have to see where they are coming from...no one like someone acting like a spoiled brat.

Whenever people ask me what I drive, I tell them a small convertible and try to leave it at that unless they pry more and/or are real car enthusiasts. Humility can take you a long way in life if you let it.

My car is nothing more than a glorified miata, if I wanted to impress or rub something in the face of my peers I would get a f250

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by batshapedheart

Fellas, I think we are forgetting a couple of real facts, 1) Jake is 16, seriously how much maturity are you expecting out of him? .

Bullseye. Fact is Jake's frontal lobe will still be developing until he's in his early to mid 20's. The instinct for caution, be it fiscal or physical, has not fully developed.

Originally Posted by batshapedheart

Also lets point out the 2nd fact, in this time and age the crowdfunding could work!

Which is precisely the problem. If Jake were successful at begging, it would only encourage him (and his friends) to get things without working for them.
Meanwhile 16 year olds in Russia, China, India and other emerging nations are already onto advanced level studies, have that killer instinct to out-work their fellow students with the test scores to prove it. OTOH our 16 year olds spend all day on Instagram, Facebook and beg for money (albeit in novel ways) not to start a software business or to manufacture a new device but to fund leisure time activities or luxury.

[thstone]

Jake, I tried to take the high road and offer you a legititmate and valuable learning experience where you would be compensated for your efforts and at the end of the day you'd have something that might help you land other opportunities in the future.

When I was 16 (or 18 or 21 or 25 or 35 or 45 years old), I would have given almost anything for a similar opportunity to gain experience and knowledge. Most of the rest of us had to learn things the hard (and often expensive) way.

Your response to my legitimate offer tells me all that I need to know: I find you to be trolling the forum looking to get over-reactions to a silly proposition and then egging the discussion on for no good reason.

I have no time for playing around with your kind of person online so I am done with this thread.

See ya'll elsewhere on the Forum.

[BIGJake111]

Originally Posted by thstone

Jake, I tried to take the high road and offer you a legititmate and valuable learning experience where you would be compensated for your efforts and at the end of the day you'd have something that might help you land other opportunities in the future.

When I was 16 (or 18 or 21 or 25 or 35 or 45 years old), I would have given almost anything for a similar opportunity to gain experience and knowledge. Most of the rest of us had to learn things the hard (and often expensive) way.

Your response to my legitimate offer tells me all that I need to know: I find you to be trolling the forum looking to get over-reactions to a silly proposition and then egging the discussion on for no good reason.

I have no time for playing around with your kind of person online so I am done with this thread.

See ya'll elsewhere on the Forum.

Fair enough, but would you take the offer if you just had a ton of people say you can not even make a gofundme campaign. Which is fine, as I said, a very appealing offer for in a year or two when I can do it right.

[The Radium King]

p-lap! not to be argumentative, but because I enjoy a good discussion on such things (and to draw some fire from poor mr. jake) I would state that in your initial post you referred to a trend, but in your subsequent post you quote a statistic - a snapshot in time. I would suggest that the numbers you quote will change, and quite quickly as the boomers mile-out.

second, whether a person does not work because the remuneration is not good enough for their inflated sense of worth, or they work but get compensated for more than the actual value of their work, the end result is the same - an unsustainable economy.

on first blush I would applaud mr jake on his initiative, as it is socialism at it's best - an equalisation of resources amongst the people (an electronic potlatch). on closer examination, however, it is quite machiavellian - a false economy that only exists in the echo chamber of the facebook crowd, as twit-wits crowd-source this, buy that with bit coins, and collectively pat their 'friends' on the back in smug smugness. meanwhile the rich watch with amusement as the middle-class work hard at making themselves poor.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by The Radium King

p-lap! not to be argumentative, but because I enjoy a good discussion on such things (and to draw some fire from poor mr. jake) I would state that in your initial post you referred to a trend, but in your subsequent post you quote a statistic - a snapshot in time. I would suggest that the numbers you quote will change, and quite quickly as the boomers mile-out.

second, whether a person does not work because the remuneration is not good enough for their inflated sense of worth, or they work but get compensated for more than the actual value of their work, the end result is the same - an unsustainable economy.

on first blush I would applaud mr jake on his initiative, as it is socialism at it's best - an equalisation of resources amongst the people (an electronic potlatch). on closer examination, however, it is quite machiavellian - a false economy that only exists in the echo chamber of the facebook crowd, as twit-wits crowd-source this, buy that with bit coins, and collectively pat their 'friends' on the back in smug smugness. meanwhile the rich watch with amusement as the middle-class work hard at making themselves poor.

Man, that's some heavy shyte!

[cfos]

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

I under no circumstance expected people here to donate, I brought it here as I wanted opinions on it, which are all appreciated, I am hard headed, but I do listen, it just takes a lot of it haha.

Naw... you just expect us to buy your projects at a 23% mark up...

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

2000 Porsche Boxster auto

CELs are never that bad on these cars right? 02 sensor or something right? Could buy the car for 7.3k or so, fix the issue, sell it for around 9 here on the forum?

One day, your safety net isn't going to be there and offers like thstone's are only going to be a faded memory. If you take any of what's been said to heart, take this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ4yd2W50No&feature=kp

And that's not about crowd funding, buying a car that you think you can repair and flip, or any of the "I'm already defeated so I'm not going to try," crapola -- like you said earlier in the thread.

Originally Posted by BIGJake111

Fair enough, but would you take the offer if you just had a ton of people say you can not even make a gofundme campaign. Which is fine, as I said, a very appealing offer for in a year or two when I can do it right.

Were it me and I had your so-called aspirations of being in marketing...? I'd have taken it, thrown myself into it and done nothing else but school (nah, you're on summer break, right?), any chores or help around the house I could provide for my family, and tried by best to prove the naysayers wrong. But that's me. And you are clearly not me or many of the others that posted here. Which is fine. So continue to post here your wild and crazy stuff. I mean you're averaging what? 140+ posts a month? That's over twice as many as me and I've been here since 2005. Ah well, enough of my yakking.



The world needs all kinds of people and as Douglas Coupland once wrote: “TV and the Internet are good because they keep stupid people from spending too much time out in public.”