This thread is a rant so if you're not in the mood, please don't read.

My son Michael (Mick) is 17 and drives my Bonne quite often, my problem is as follows.

He drives with the driving lights on all the time, although I thought it was for extra lighting when needed. Problem, one bulb has burned out.
He always has the bass cranked to the max and the volume at "Scotty, we need more power" level. Problem, I believe the driver’* rear speaker has blown the bass.
He likes to see the boost needle on the right side of the gauge, and has asked on several occasions how to get that "whine" sound. Problem he uses 40% more gas then I do.
He takes to many chances while driving since I have the impression he owns the road. Problem, I'm hearing more moans and groans in the suspension lately.

Now I know that teenagers can be teenagers and its cools to drive with the driving lights on all the time, and so on and so on. But to me coolness comes from within, not what you drive or who you hang around with. As for the gas, he now shares the responsibility of filling it up, and helps me with repairs when needed. He even offered to pay for the bulb and get new speakers, but I don't want any money from him. Mick is a great son and I love him to death, but for the love of God. Every time I drive the car I have to

1. Turn down the volume.
2. Turn off the driving lights.
3. Turn off the bass lever.
4. See if I have enough gas to get from point A to B
5. Adjust the seat.
6. Remove that fricken, rap **** that keeps repeating racial slurs and what they're going to do to women all day.
7. Pick up all the c***, sorry, back up cd'* that are on the floor or lying all over the place.


Ok, I feel better now. Thank you for taking the time to read. I'm not looking for advice I just wanted to vent.


Have a great day.


Frankenberry

I would simply tell your son to take care of all of the thigns you listed before leabving the car. If not, then he loses the priveledge of driving it for that day.

Tell him that you expect the car to be in the same condition that he has recieved it in and if he can not oblidge, then dont let him drive it. im sure he will remember to do those things asked of him if he wants to continue driving the Bonne mobile.

Do you also share cleaning/detailing duties? If not, maybe he will learn to appreciate it more since he put his hard work into cleaning it and making it look nice.

Lmao, that sounds just like me when I was 17. My mom gave me a checklist and told me to make sure these were done before giving her back her car. Needless to say, I learned a lesson, my mom reversed rolls on me, left the radio at full blast and when i got in, i thought a ear drum blew lol. I never left the radio up after that again

I had the same problem with my kids. They don't seem to respect a vehicle until they have to make the payments.

Mick goes to school full time and holds down a 40 hrs a week job. He'* very motivated and like someone said "Lmao, that sounds just like me when I was 17" I can relate. I remember when I was that age and I just though he could just skip that phase.
Yes he does help in cleaning, filling up the car with gas, and the latest repair was changing the CV boot which I helped him. One thing I have to realise is that I allow him to drive my car, so I know I should chill a bit also since I was 17 once. My comment about coolness comes from within just doesn't fly with him. I guess he just wants to stand out from the crowd.

I'll just chalk it up to growing up.


Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Leslie you have a great idea!!!


Just leave your music cranked up for him when he gets in the car. reverse the roles!!

My son wont be driving my Bonneville, but I will probably buy him a N/A one when the time comes.

Have you talked to him about it. It sounds like there is a lot of respect there. Maybe he just forgets it'* your car. Try putting a little note on the dash with a little reminder like "turn radio down" or something. I did that with my daughter and eventually she just started doing the stuff without even realizing it. The gas was a different case. Even if she wanted to help with gas she couldn't. (worthless boyfriend mooching off her)

It sounds like he needs a "vacation" from driving all together - not just your car. What you described are not the actions of a responsible driver, at least not a driver I'd want to share the road with.

Franky...

Why do you turn off the cool lights? Geez... At NEBF..they are a must.

I always tell my wife if anything should happen and we ended up having a kid I would want a girl, I would not be able to afford the tire I go through and what a younger version of myself would do.

Sounds like it'* time for him to get his own car