Man I’m getting old… shopping for my kid’s first vehicle! Project in the making…

[Pullstart 62,905]

So in September, we’ll be able to start Jada’s drivers’ training.  Since finding out I was going to be a father, I’ve been looking forward to this time.  I knew we’d have a project vehicle, not something they could just jump in and go.  A project saves money and more importantly, teaches the kid a thing or two about a thing or two.  We just recently took a couple thousand mile road trip and what better thing to do sitting shotgun than look for that project?

 

Here we go again.  Rust belt POS or out west clean vehicle?  Out west wins!  I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw he ad.  I couldn’t believe it when it was still available.  And Jada is on board!  This was purchased by the seller and while driving it home, a hose blew and the engine overheated.  They fixed it roadkill style, kept on trucking, only to blow and overheat two more times.  Once home, they realized it had been packed full of bars leak and there it sat.  Water froze and cracked the block and it’s for sale again.

 So, we’ve got a ‘99 GMC Suburban, out of Colorado again.  Nearly a twin to Momma’s new ‘97 Chevy, but 1/2 ton/350 instead of 3/4 ton/454.  Shipping is costing an additional $150 over our first bout, but it needs to be winched onto the hauler.  So far, we’ll worth it.

 

 

 

[Pullstart 62,905]

This will need tires, so the plan is to DROP it down a few inches.  Hopefully we’ll settle aground 3-4” lift to start.  The 35” tires will become 32’s or so.  Mrs. P took her driver’s test in a very similar 88-98 rig, but without the lift.  As for an engine, we could go the junkyard u-pick route, or LS swap with one of the 3 LS equipped rusty piles we have.  

[ri702bill 8,327]

Nice looking unit there, Kevin.Kids tend to be a mite rough on their first car (speaking from history here...) a solid body-on-frame is a good choice.

As they say "Strap in, enjoy the ride!"... yes, you ARE getting old....

Bill

Edited December 29, 2021 by ri702bill

[Pullstart 62,905]

1 minute ago, ri702bill said:

Kids tend to be a mite rough on their first car (speaking from history here...)

yeah, I agree.  And with a wrenching and racing pedigree, there’s not much less to be expected.  You should see the kid on a go-kart track!    It’s quite a good show her running them boys down!

[Pullstart 62,905]

We have about 9 months before it needs to be road ready for her, but the trucking company has a spot saved for January 3rd pick up and likely 5th or 6th delivery!  

[Stormin 9,981]

That would cost an arm and both legs to insure for a youngster over here. That's IF you could get insurance cover. My mates grandson who has passed his test and is 18, is covered for the farm pickup, little Kia runabout and of course all the tractors. They won't insure him for the Volvo saloon though. Even given the age it is.

[Pullstart 62,905]

There are likely more 4x4 trucks or SUV’s in the high school parking lot than small vehicles or cars.  If for any reason though she doesn’t feel comfortable driving it once it’s complete (and she’ll likely put hundreds of miles on around our property before the road), we’ll sell it for a hefty profit and keep shopping.    Rust free vehicles in Michigan are dang rare once the 5 year mark comes along.

[ri702bill 8,327]

Yup - Insurance rule #1B - Kids DON'T drive parents cars. Some (most??) states allow Insurance companies to assign the highest risk driver to the most expensive vehicle automatically if the new driver is on your policy. Watch out for that - you CAN assign drivers to certain vehicles, you just have to be tactfull. Definition of tactfullness - being able to tell some one to go to He!! in such a way they look forward to it .....

Bill

[peter lena 8,631]

@Pullstart nice looking rig , recently went thru a similar car thing with my grandson , remember  no one will look at or care  /  think about a car the way you do , especially  today. the body condition of that is  begging for a lubrication soak down , inside doors , tailgate , boxed frame areas , wheel well arches and fender trim , door entry lower trim , if you do nothing else , get a lift and aerosol set up and mineral oil spray that entire underside down . that will stop moisture , and feed the metal . I live in conn, virtually new cars are covered in rust .from road salt spray down . oil soak down stops that , only if you want to , pete

[Pullstart 62,905]

16 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@Pullstart nice looking rig , recently went thru a similar car thing with my grandson , remember  no one will look at or care  /  think about a car the way you do , especially  today. the body condition of that is  begging for a lubrication soak down , inside doors , tailgate , boxed frame areas , wheel well arches and fender trim , door entry lower trim , if you do nothing else , get a lift and aerosol set up and mineral oil spray that entire underside down . that will stop moisture , and feed the metal . I live in conn, virtually new cars are covered in rust .from road salt spray down . oil soak down stops that , only if you want to , pete

I had our ‘97 on the lift for a nut and bolt last night, after a few weeks of drive time after the suspension work.  I am amazed at the chain and cable fluid’s spreading characteristics… and how the entire thing appears wet after who knows how many car washes already!  I’ll be sure to keep feeding  them both!  You’ve surely made a believer of me!  Keep on preachin’ brother!

[ebinmaine 67,545]

2 hours ago, ri702bill said:

you CAN assign drivers to certain vehicles

Unfortunately that isn't true in all states. I can speak from the experience of both Maine and Massachusetts that the driver's license address dictates strictly where that vehicle is to be insured and ALL vehicles and ALL drivers that are in that building and part of the same blood or marriage family MUST be on the same policy.

I can remember that one costing me dearly when my older kid got to a driving age many moons ago...

 

 

@Pullstart good luck with this project and keep us posted.

 

 

@Stormin 

Over here you can purchase and insure whatever you want to until a point where you prove that you shouldn't be...

 

[peter lena 8,631]

@Pullstart  glad to hear about the chain and cable , been using that for years with zero rust results , as you see its creeping abilities , just a matter at service time to touch up if needed . sold my volvo wagon , months back , had it 14 years , not a speck of rust on it . when i told my old school mechanic  I  was going to sell it , he jumped right on it , he knew the car , did most of its service , always touched up in doors , suspension parts , break lines , calipers , etc . glad to know its doing its thing , my son in Vermont, is also a lubricant nut , don't know where he got that from  , his jeeps get a lubriplate  spray down yearly , with a lot of dirt roads , no rust or rot.  keep it oily , pete  

[ri702bill 8,327]

1 hour ago, ebinmaine said:

can remember that one costing me dearly when my older kid got to a driving age many moons ago...

Ah,yes - kids. You spend their first 16 years protecting them from all harm, then at times, you want them off your policy and out of the house!!

[ebinmaine 67,545]

2 minutes ago, ri702bill said:

Ah,yes - kids. You spend their first 16 years protecting them from all harm, then at times, you want them off your policy and out of the house!!

Yeah I was definitely in the ASAP category on that one...😂

[wh500special 2,184]

I can relate to feeling old about this stage of life.  My daughter recently got her permit and we just walked in the door from her second day behind the wheel.   Our state lets them start driving with the permit at 15 and they can get their license at 16 if they’ve met the driving hour requirement, took lessons, and pass the tests.  I’m sure this is similar everywhere. 
 

She’s doing fine, but I’m not sure I’m as ready for this as she is.

 

She’s already well aware that she’s not getting her own car.  She can use ours.  Assuming she goes away to college somewhere we can renegotiate.  My truck will be 8 years old by then, so maybe it will be her permanent loaner.  
 

I’m not about to show her a picture of your daughter’s suburban…she can do without that sort of idea. 
 

Steve

[Pullstart 62,905]

20 minutes ago, wh500special said:

I can relate to feeling old about this stage of life.  My daughter recently got her permit and we just walked in the door from her second day behind the wheel.   Our state lets them start driving with the permit at 15 and they can get their license at 16 if they’ve met the driving hour requirement, took lessons, and pass the tests.  I’m sure this is similar everywhere. 
 

She’s doing fine, but I’m not sure I’m as ready for this as she is.

 

She’s already well aware that she’s not getting her own car.  She can use ours.  Assuming she goes away to college somewhere we can renegotiate.  My truck will be 8 years old by then, so maybe it will be her permanent loaner.  
 

I’m not about to show her a picture of your daughter’s suburban…she can do without that sort of idea. 
 

Steve

 

14 years, 9 months here to be eligible for training.   Momma and I both purchased our own vehicles from day one, along with paying for insurance premiums.  We could likely absorb her now where our parents couldn’t, but we feel it builds a quality of hard work and dedication to working and life.  Hopefully having access to wheels for this long, and some patience from her parents, we won’t pop a hole in the passenger floorboard trying to stop her on occasion!

[953 nut 55,269]

Kevin, you aren't anywhere near being old, my granddaughter has been driving for two years!      Feel so sorry for old codgers like you.  

Glad to see you will be starting Jada out with a BIG car. Good visibility of what is going on ahead and best command of the road.

[formariz 11,987]

Don't feel so old. It will be something  you will always remember. I went through it and now sort of going through it again in a way. A little story if I may;

 

 In 1999 I bought my oldest son his first car after he took his drivers test in High School.  For Christmas I bought him a brand new Volkswagen Golf. The first generation MkIV .He kept that car until two years ago . After four kids and one minivan that car was totally inadequate for them so he bought a full size passenger van. (Looks like he may be trying to fill it). It was not easy for him to get rid of car so I started thinking about something and offered to keep the car which made him very happy. So about two years ago I got the car now with about 450,000. Miles and still the original clutch in it. It rides and works like a new car but rust is taken over. M youngest son a mechanic, is now driving it for the time being. The plan is that my oldest grandson will learn how to drive in that car. It's got six more years to go. After that I don't care, but until that time what ever it takes we will keep it going regardless of what it costs. We have been buying body panels to replace the rusted ones. The hard part will be the rockers since its not easy finding someone around here that will do it. I have the rockers also just need someone to cut old ones and install the new ones. So  a very much antecipated time such as yours to buy my son his first car, has 22 years later with the same car became a mission for my oldest grandson who checks on it constantly anticipating that day. Car will be 28 years old then, and I probably could buy a new one with what I will have spent by then, but it would not be the same for me, my son and my grandson. Even if it dies right after its ok. It has however to fulfill its last mission.

[JPWH 6,034]

I guess I'm getting old as well. My oldest grandson will be driving in 2 years and the plan is for him to have the 1989 Chevrolet extended cab 2500 that I drove for many years then gave to my son.

[Pullstart 62,905]

Got home from a dinner trip to town with the fam, to see this image in my inbox.  

 

 

[slim67 2,735]

10 minutes ago, Pullstart said:

Got home from a dinner trip to town with the fam, to see this image in my inbox.  

 

 

Love the stance. I’d leave it the way it is. Aww hell who am I kidding… more lift and a set of 44s! After all you do live in Michigan!

[ebinmaine 67,545]

1 minute ago, slim67 said:

44s

Why so small???

[slim67 2,735]

I was lucky enough to get this 2004 tracker from my mom, with 67,000 original miles. Garage kept and needs rockers.

[slim67 2,735]

1 minute ago, ebinmaine said:

Why so small???

We can go bigger if Kevin wants. 46s, 54s ? Military axles?

[Pullstart 62,905]

Remember, the driver of this truck is currently 14.  Let’s not get too carried away on tire size.  Maybe we should focus on road armor first!