1987 BMW L7 (European release)

Rufaro how did it turn out? Did you call the inspection station and talk 'parent to parent' to the tester about your concerns for your son's safety? (while he was on his way there)?

 

Add mass quantities of grape Kool-aid powder to the gas...? (might get you more than a flunked smog test )

 

Disable the catalytic converter? It's illegal, but maybe you can pull a wire or fuse... or bypass it somehow.

From a quick google search:

That sounds like a bad idea though. Maybe just take it out somewhere and crash it into a wall. Oops!

 

How about making this kid start over with Driving School and Drivers Ed? He is going to have to drive sometime. Maybe you have a male friend that kid likes/respects and will tell it like it is.

Tell him no more driving anything without it. Tell hubby it is for kid and everyone else's safety. Have your insurance guy call hubby and tell him kid is going to cost a fortune to insure.

Sit the kid down and tell him that you are on his side and want him to be able to drive, but the facts show he is not careful and is incredibly "unlucky" and needs some Defensive Driving lessons, because there are a lot of bad drivers out there, including him.

This is why I am not married, especially to someone with kids.

 

A friend of mine had three boys. Each time one reached driving age, their father would insist on getting them a 'dream car.' So, one kid ended up with a Camaro SS, one had a Corvette, and one had a Mustang Cobra convertible.

These kids would terrorize the neighborhood with their antics, and (when I'd happen to be speaking with their Mom) she'd mention how she wasn't pleased with what was going on...but couldn't do anything about it.

Well, the kid with the Camaro SS lost control of the car on Skyline Blvd and killed himself.

All that I'm saying is that your boy has had accidents before, seems to still not show responsiblity for his actions...you might want to consider being the evil stepmom and taking your lumps now, in order to prevent something worse from happening.

My friend's family was the 'perfect family'...and it's been shattered...I honestly think that now, in hindsight, she's tormented by the things that she DIDN'T do.

----

Just my $0.02. I hope you'll pardon me for saying, but you come across a bit as a victim of this situation, when actually you're not.

 

Teenagers think they are "good" drivers when they show some proficiency in controlling the car and getting it to go where they want. It does not occur to them that being a good driver also requires being aware of what other cars around them are doing, and being willing to yield right-of-way to avoid an accident when technically, legally, the right-of-way is theirs. That's why teeneagers, especially boys, are charged more for insurance.

I don't know what the solution is, other than a really good public transportation system and a minimum driving age of 35.

 

Oh, this is sneaky. Punching a hole in the muffler might do it, but that's a tad destructive. You could add a few quarts of oil to the gas tank, but it's gonna play havoc with the fuel injectors. Squirting some oil up the tailpipe could work.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ May 16 2007, 05:37 PM) [snapback]443743[/snapback]</div>

Well, one could always (in reverse order, my preferred choice being at the bottom):
7. Do something to the fuel cap so it leaks
6. Cross the leads to a couple of spark plugs (but it'll run rough; the boy will wonder)
5. Disconnect the PCV valve/crankcase ventilation system
4. Put some leaded gas into the tank a few days before the test (too late for this now, and it's destructive)
3. Take out the thermostat so the engine won't ever warm up (this would be my second choice)
2. Retard the timing a bit (runner up)
1. Disconnect the oxygen sensor on the catalytic converter (we've got a WINNER!!)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ 2007 May 16 4:27 PM) [snapback]443764[/snapback]</div>

Simple and effective. I like it. Can Rufaro just crawl under the car and detach it? Any tools required? Would snipping the wires be easier?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hyo silver @ May 16 2007, 11:53 PM) [snapback]443940[/snapback]</div>

Thank you; that one kind of came out of the blue for me...

There's probably some sort of connector where the wire meets the sensor itself; if it's not frozen in place by road junk, it could just be unplugged. I am wondering about the possiblity of triggering a 'check engine' light with this, though (if it still happens to be working in the first place).

For pure stealth value, I think the thermostat removal might still be in the running. Lots more trouble, tho.

This is so EVIL, I can't believe I'm still thinking about it.

Perhaps it might just be easier to get him something with the words 'Automatic Stickshift' on the engine hood!?!
[laughing]

 

If the kid won't/can't keep a job, stop giving him money for gas/insurance. An uninsured car is illegal to drive, and why should you pay for his auto insurance? The easiest way to keep him from wrecking another car, and maybe himself, might be to deprive him of the means to support the car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ May 23 2007, 03:17 AM) [snapback]447977[/snapback]</div>

That's only half of it...to get 'automatic stickshift' on the engine hood, it'd have to be a VW Beetle from the early 1970's (they were REALLY slow, even for a Beetle).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ May 23 2007, 03:17 AM) [snapback]447977[/snapback]</div>

Absolutely none of my business, but it sounds like your husband is coming around...perhaps now's the time to be firm, not give in! If you think that your son is headed for trouble, your feelings are valid.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ May 23 2007, 03:17 AM) [snapback]447977[/snapback]</div>

How about 'Hot Rod Lincoln'?

They arrested me
and they put me in jail
they called my daddy
to throw my bail

He said, son, you're going to drive me to drinkin'
if you don't stop driving that hot rod Lincoln...

 

I admire your attempt to reign this brat. I mean kid, in. It would be wise if his dad would take off the rose colored glasses and take a good look. It is probably the one area where hubby is short sighted.

This kid has work issues, car issues, attitude issues, my guess is parental issues, etc.


He is most likely going to hurt or kill some innocent person or persons with a vehicle. It is really a total lack of responsibility on Daddy's part, as well as Junior's. But Junior is not mature for his age, and cannot make these decisions. The real problem comes in because adults are paying to support him. As others have pointed out, without money from you, he could not drive. He would then be forced to take a look at why no one wants to help him anymore. Even if he did not agree, he would tow the line to some of your demands, in order to get help from you. Right now he can keep wrecking cars and quiting jobs, and he knows it.


Your problems with this child are not over yet.

 

Yep...he's learned how to get what he wants, and now he is.

I don't think there's anything terribly shocking about it, really.

----

I do, however, find myself wondering if he has/will develop any comprehension of the intrinsic value of work...and (if he fails to) how this deficiency will haunt him throughout life.

He may be discouraged to find that other, more adult situations won't be as accomodating to his desires as the one he's in currently...and getting over this might become an ongoing problem for him if he's unwilling to face the fact that, for most of us, *money represents labor* and as such is tremendously valuable.

Also, there may actually be times when he has to work hard and isn't well compensated for it. This might be difficult for someone who's become accustomed to expecting ample financial support based primarily on his ability to exist.

 

rufaro, you can adopt me

sounds like you've given the kid a very good life and he has yet to realize how much work went into everything he has. so... cut him off for a bit. let him see how much you guys are doing for him. then maybe he will put 2 and 2 together.

i know your DH has ultimate control over that but tell him spoiled kids are gonna throw tantrums over anything that doesn't go their way anyway.

i can't comprehend the spoiled kid mentality... i just can't. but i wish you lots of luck.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ 2007 May 23 1:17 AM) [snapback]447977[/snapback]</div>

At some point, you have to stop banging your head against the wall. He doesn't seem to respect you as a parental unit, and he's got his Dad's ear anytime he doesn't like what you say. From his point of view, why would he change now? Step out of the way and let reality smack him in the face, instead of protecting him from it. His choosing to live with you over his biological Mother could be a good sign, but maybe it's just easier for him to manipulate Dad. I understand your concern and frustration, but you've got your own life to live. Treat him as you would any other adult you're sharing living space with, leave his mess for him to clean up, and spend more time in the garage. It's...it's...a ballroom blitz.