The I'm Buying my Dad a Vehicle for his Birthday Thread

Rebel

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Flew home this past week to surprise my mom for her Birthday. It's been 3 years since I've since my folks. Made me realize they're definitely getting older and extra motivation to work hard so I can take care of them when they finally decide to quit working. My dad retired last year but has turned into a real estate flipper/ rehab guy. He was super proud/ excited to show me the projects he was working on. He currently owns a 2014 Nissan Frontier. It has no features, manual windows, locks, no cruise control, literally a bare bones work truck and currently the tail gate is missing. It's his daily. There was also a beater truck in our driveway that I wish I paid more attention to while I was in town but don't know anything about it. He gave me my first car, bought my second when the latter died, and has helped co sign or convince my mom every time I chose to trade in my car and get a new one just because I wanted to change it up during college. He's been a car guy for as long as I remember but hasn't had a NICE car since I was probably in elementary/ high school as family was always first. Trying to decide what to get him. Most likely go new or certified as I think it'd be easier to finance and I'm not going to inspect conditions of vehicles before purchasing as I'm back in Tahoe now. I want something for him that's maintenance and hassle free.

Current thoughts:
New Truck
2020 Silverado. - Bought my Silverado last year, love it. Think he'd like one too, he can use it to haul contractor supplies. Only issue is that he has two trucks already, so I'd want him to get rid of them as 3 might be excessive.

New Car
3 or 5 series BMW
When I was growing up he had both 80s/ early 90s 325i and a late 535i. I think he'd like new one.

MAYBE C7 vette
He bought a c4 a while back, don't know why. Never drove it. Then he sold it. :dunno:

Tesla popped in my head but the Model S is out of my budget, personally not a fan of the model 3 looks.

Also I forget who here works at Chevy. Is it The Beast The Beast ? Need a contact if I go the vette or Silverado route. This might be Chevy #8 and no way I'm using the dealer/ salesperson from my last transaction.

edit: I see it's Andy at Bill Stasek.
 

Dan00Hawk

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I'd ask someone else close to him ask in casual conversation if he could replace any of his vehicles, what he'd replace it with. That'll at least help you narrow down what he wants compared to what you think he might want. Then involve him in the process. As car guys, we are all quite particular. And while an absolutely amazing gesture to buy him a vehicle, giving a car guy something that isn't quite what they want doesn't always sit well with some folks, and your dad would be too nice to tell you otherwise after the fact. So absolutely involve him, and don't surprise him. Just my take on it. :)
 
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Rebel

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Nice gesture for your dad. Mention it to my kids if you get a chance.
? He's put up with my shit for 30 years and chose to drive base model cars for the past 16 years. I put this on my goal vision board in my office two years ago. I wanted to pay off my truck first, but seeing how much older he looks now and acknowledging the sacrifices he's made, I want to pull the trigger.


I'd ask someone else close to him ask in casual conversation if he could replace any of his vehicles, what he'd replace it with. That'll at least help you narrow down what he wants compared to what you think he might want. Then involve him in the process. As car guys, we are all quite particular. And while an absolutely amazing gesture to buy him a vehicle, giving a car guy something that isn't quite what they want doesn't always sit well with some folks, and your dad would be too nice to tell you otherwise after the fact. So absolutely involve him, and don't surprise him. Just my take on it. :)
Asked my mom, she had no idea what he’d want. Hinted at a new truck. My cousin also said the same thing. The dilemma I feel like would be that he’d never agree to letting me buy him a truck and personal biase says that 3 trucks is way too much for one person. The last 3-4 gifts I gave him, went on shelves because he thought they were too “nice” to use. Got him an engraved hunting knife, BBQ tools, garden tool set. I do sort of agree though that surprising him might not be the best, but I’d know he’d like whatever I got. And definitely be an upgrade over what he has.
 
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FirstWorldProblems

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Without trying to pry some information out of him, i don't think you can make the right call. If he's a car guy it should be pretty easy to get him to start talking. The age-old "what would you buy if you hit the lotto" question always tells you what a person really wants. If he says he'd buy a 2500 GMC denali...you know to go for a truck. If he says c8 vette...you know he wants a sports car...etc.
 

Rent Free

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This.

BMW-M340i-Nardo-Grey.jpg


2020 BMW M340i

Good talk. :io:
 

LikeABauce302

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A really nice C6 Vette can be had for a reasonable price too. My sister has a C5 Vette that stays at my parents house when she's not driving it. My dad who's in his mid 60s loves to drive that car.

If he's a car guy, get him something sporty. He already has a work truck. If he needs something that will be driven through the winter, a BMW 340 xdrive would be a good choice.
 
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Rebel

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Tasked a couple people to pry some info out of him. When I say car guy, he definitely 100% doesn't wrench on his cars, I'd say he's more of an enthusiast/ admirer. Seen him do basic stuff a few times but he mostly has always bought new to avoid a lot of that. Always had a thing for BMWs when I was younger. Growing up he had a nice jaguar but we lived in a shitty neighborhood and kids would constantly try to steal the hood ornament so he had to sell it. I like those M340i's. Might go to a dealer in the next day or two and check them out in person. Original truck thought was to replace the beater trucks with a nice work truck, but seems general consensus is to keep the beater and get a sports car. :unsure:

A really nice C6 Vette can be had for a reasonable price too. My sister has a C5 Vette that stays at my parents house when she's not driving it. My dad who's in his mid 60s loves to drive that car.

If he's a car guy, get him something sporty. He already has a work truck. If he needs something that will be driven through the winter, a BMW 340 xdrive would be a good choice.
I think since he's older, HP probably matters less and comfort might be more important. I feel like the C7 interior might be way ahead of the C6 in that regard. You got my head spinning though with the thought of buying used locally so I can inspect it, and do a cross country road trip and showing up with keys in hand.
 
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Rebel

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giphy.gif


truckee california, whatever. still gon shoot the shot.
Dad lives in Schaumburg. If I can buy local to him I don't mind spending a little bit more if I know the salesperson/ dealership will take care of him after the sale. We've bought 5 cars from Grossinger, and I think service had always done right by me so I don't think I'm too worried there, but don't I mind sending some business to forum sponsors either if I can.
 
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Yaj Yak

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Dad lives in Schaumburg. If I can buy local to him I don't mind spending a little bit more if I know the salesperson/ dealership will take care of him after the sale. We've bought 5 cars from Grossinger, and I think service had always done right by me so I don't think I'm too worried there, but don't I mind sending some business to forum sponsors either if I can.


Welp

I like that
 

SBTerminator

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Dad lives in Schaumburg. If I can buy local to him I don't mind spending a little bit more if I know the salesperson/ dealership will take care of him after the sale. We've bought 5 cars from Grossinger, and I think service had always done right by me so I don't think I'm too worried there, but don't I mind sending some business to forum sponsors either if I can.

Grossinger doesn’t own any store anymore. A Canadian company bought them out. That being said, Stasek Chevy is in Wheeling and usually have a nice truck selection in stock. I would ask for Matt McNichol or Mike Molloy. Both great guys.
 
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