Teens in M3s: What Am I Doing Wrong?

Get off my lawn, you punk kid, and if that ball comes over here again, it's mine.

Okay, there I said it. Yes, I'm a grumpy old guy with a bad back who throws up in his mouth every time he sees a self-respecting motor vehicle stanced, slammed, murdered, or God forbid, hellaflushed.

But I was brought up to believe that if I did well in school and worked hard and saved my money there'd be a just reward when I was old and not-yet-gray.

Instead, with two University of Chicago degrees and an NYU MBA in the house (which we bought way before the housing bubble), I'm driving a 12-year old minivan with a big dent in the side.

And to add insult to injury, I head over to e46 Fanatics and every second thread is about a 17-year old buying an M3 or a ZHP. Who are these kids, and what do they--or their parents--do to be able to afford vehicles of this kind? I'm serious. I watched enough of The Wire to know they're not all slinging drugs.

What did I have when I was 17? A bus pass.
My kid is about to turn 16 and what is he getting? The keys to the minivan. If there's gas in it.

Don't get me started about the noise that passes for music that these kids play--what we can't spin a little Public Enemy or Run DMC now and then?
And those pants? Go to Sears and buy yourself a belt for Chrissakes.

Rich kids. Just shows to go yah! Degrees aren't worth sh*t. You are better off flippin burgers.

when I was 17, we did the responsible thing and experimented with marijuana and alcohol. We didn't have money left over for flashy cars.

I agree with you myself, but ALOT has to do with the location of where they live.. In most cases these 17year old kids sporting an m3 usually lives in wealthy neighborhoods where they are spoiled by their wealthy parents.. Don't get me wrong I live in the 2nd wealthiest county in the United States or atleast since I last checked (fairfield county) and that's all you see are 16-19 year old driving around in nice cars..

I on the other hand have been brought up similar to yourself, my father is self made and came to this country back in 1976 with the cloths on his back and pretty much that's it, so as he raised me he taught me to work hard save your money and enjoy the finer things in life when you get older (not greyed as you said lol)..

Did my parents spoil me?.. I'm gonna be honest and say somewhat. Did I get a brand new car when I was 16 no. Although it wasn't that old to begin with.. But I did work for it in my fathers company (well technically, the earnings I got for working went straight into my savings account that I couldn't touch til I was 21)..

But to answer your question I am strongly believed that these 17 or 18 year olds in m3's is because their parents purchased it for them cause they can... And they will..

"Work hard and play hard"

dont you know we all sell drugs?

Just to let you know, assuming you took out loans for those three degrees, you have a TON in monthly payments over your head for schooling. Between me and my wife, with a phd and two bachelors between us, we pay $4k a month for student loans. That is more than what a lot of people make in a year. Sad reality of today's world is, if you went to a skilled trade school and specialized in areas such as aircraft welding etc, you would be much better off than people like yourself and myself. Reason being, little to no student loan payments. Welcome to Euro-USA.

Definitely not from a wealthy family. But I worked two/three jobs through high school and landed a decent full time Job after graduating hs. Really comes down to how good you are with money and saving.

I am very lucky to have an e46 m3 and an e30 at 19 but I definitely worked hard for the money I earned and spent it on what I really wanted. I set goals and strive for them and don't give up.

Yea, don't have an m3 but i got my e46. Parents didn't help me with a dime.

I'm paying for my own education. Working 2 jobs. 1 as a general manager other as parts sales. Since I was 17.

Not everyone who drives a nice car that's slammed wheels and what not comes from $$

I work everyday for the things I have.

But I will agree on music, **** "my generation" or even the one behind me. Blows asshole! It's disgusting how stupid people are now. Btw i just turned 22

Originally Posted by S85FTW

Just to let you know, assuming you took out loans for those three degrees, you have a TON in monthly payments over your head for schooling. Between me and my wife, with a phd and two bachelors between us, we pay $4k a month for student loans. That is more than what a lot of people make in a year. Sad reality of today's world is, if you went to a skilled trade school and specialized in areas such as aircraft welding etc, you would be much better off than people like yourself and myself. Reason being, little to no student loan payments. Welcome to Euro-USA.

Actually, I'm old enough that we don't have a penny in student loans and haven't for years. And while I live in a very nice part of New Jersey, I bought my house for about half of what it's worth now even after the burst of the real estate bubble.

I bought my M earlier this year at 20 years old. Saved up. Sold my truck. I think you should try and accept the fact that people will be spoiled. In my case, people know what they want and work to get it.

I'm sorry your van has a dent in it. Truly

Originally Posted by ChrisRedmon

I'm sorry your van has a dent in it. Truly

when i was 17 i got a 1989 cutlass supreme. trust me she wasnt pretty. then when i turned 19 after working for 3 years got a 325i that ive modded/maintained quite well im 21 now and am about to pay it off next month and looking into a $16+k street bike lol. but hey im in the Marine Corps so i gota have fun while im young

At 17 (a year after I got my license), I was handed down my dad's old, wood paneled, 150k miles jeep. I treated it like a queen, worked every summer (and part time while in college), and bought a used, 4 year old e46. Given that I look 5 years younger than I am, I certainly got nasty looks from some (who assumed it was brand new as I kept it meticulously clean).

Moral of the story is that some of those kids you see may have worked their tails off. Others are likely spoiled by parents who don't have enough common sense to realize that providing their kid with a work ethic and a sense of accomplishment (working hard enough to buy something) is far better than providing them with a material possession that will give a similar sense of accomplishment sans hard work.

We have far too many snot nosed kids who compare themselves not by their academic or athletic accomplishments, but rather by what material possessions they bring with them to school.. and far too few who think they're hot sh*t earned any of it on their own... unfortunately in our materialistic day and age, kids don't care how you got it.. they just think you're far cooler because you have it. Rather sad.

Your own happiness and self worth should not (ever) be gauged by what others have/own.

Just recently some young kid got a Ferrari (for his birthday) - F430... it didn't end well for him/his car/his cousin. There's plenty of instances like that.
So, don't feel like "what am i doing wrong", re-adjust your mental outlook.

Originally Posted by ChrisRedmon

I bought my M earlier this year at 20 years old. Saved up. Sold my truck. I think you should try and accept the fact that people will be spoiled. In my case, people know what they want and work to get it.

I'm sorry your van has a dent in it. Truly

There are a lot of things I'm sorrier about than the dent in the van, but thanks.

Let' define *working for it* (not to you specifically Chris, but to the young BMW drivers in general.)

It seems to me that for someone under 21 to save up enough money to buy a $25,000 car and put say $4,000 a year into repairs and maintenance, they're probably having things like room and board and tuition and medical insurance paid for, or at least subsidized, by someone else, most likely Mom and Dad.

Nice "work" if you can get it, I guess.

I thought I'd be one of those parents who'd at least have the option of spoiling my kid that way. I guess my son will have to settle for a new pair of Nikes.

Does this thread really belong in General?

Well if you really want to get into it. My father, filthy rich. He split when I was 7 though. My mom has been very mentally supportive and molded me into a good person. My father always paid his child support, which helped of course. But never anything more. I started working in 9th grade doing landscaping. Tough work. Real tough. Everyday after school and weekends. Bought my truck, was really pinching pennies to afford it, 12th grade comes around and I was granted the chance to learn design, sales and estimating. I've been doing it ever since at 17$ an hour. While I'm lucky they even gave me the chance, I was consistent and dedicated. Had about 10k saved (still living with my mom by the way!! I pay 350 in rent. Buy my own groceries ect ect) sold my truck. Searched and searched for my car. About 4 months. Bought the car. Now I'm just getting raped with the 225 monthly insurance and the maintenance. But when I look at the car. I can give myself a warranted pat on the back.

Haha great thread! Over here at 19 years old there is only drugs dealers, spoiled kids and mostly colored (turkish/syrian/maroccan) who loan a lot of money for these cars. And then the next best Ali cousin at Hassan motorsports will fix them whenever they break down or need to pass their yearly check.

You don't see much M3's or 330i's over here anyway, mostly 318, 320 because of fuel consumption

Originally Posted by avincent52

There are a lot of things I'm sorrier about than the dent in the van, but thanks.

Let' define *working for it* (not to you specifically Chris, but to the young BMW drivers in general.)

It seems to me that for someone under 21 to save up enough money to buy a $25,000 car and put say $4,000 a year into repairs and maintenance, they're probably having things like room and board and tuition and medical insurance paid for, or at least subsidized, by someone else, most likely Mom and Dad.

Nice "work" if you can get it, I guess.

I thought I'd be one of those parents who'd at least have the option of spoiling my kid that way. I guess my son will have to settle for a new pair of Nikes.

Come on now... if spoiling your kid(s) require/means you buy them a performance car or other high dollar toys, then maybe a change in definition for being "a great parent" is in order.