Can I borrow your car for prom?

[gmpartsgirl]

I've been waiting for this. We are very close to the family across the street, including their children. Their oldest boy is going to prom. His parents recently seperated and things are tough over there and money is tight. His car doesn't work and he and his friends haven't been able to come up with enough money for a limo. I knew he was working up the balls to ask me if he could borrow my brand new Z. Well, he finally did. I feel bad for him, and I never even got to go to prom and nobody in his family really has a cool car. But, never mind insurance woes, I just can't do it, plus if his parents knew he had asked they would freak out. I plan to either let my son use my Z or rent him a limo, but that's a few years away thankfully and the car will be a little older, but I've only had this car for a MONTH!!! It only has 1400 miles on it. I'm not mad at him for asking, hell it took too much guts, but I hate that I feel so bad for not letting him. He's such a great kid.

[Delta Force79]

You did the right thing obviously, I wouldn't even trust my own son to use my car to go to prom

[K.C.]

Wow, thats pretty ballsy. I did not let my son borrow the Corvette for his prom. Instead, I rented him a nice limo. Maybe your neighbor son could rent a Town Car or something and have someone drive it?

[SuperSport623]

i saved up and got a limo for 6 hours after prom (in 4 weeks) and its about $25... but im showing up before prom in style.... 70 chevelle! my friend is driving me, i wouldnt dare ask to borrow it

[gmpartsgirl]

I would gladly drive them if it wasn't a 2 seater. lol His folks don't have a credit card so they can't rent a car. Maybe my next door neighbor will drive them in her '07 LTZ Tahoe with 22's. :AH-HA_wink:

[GMTruckGuy74]

I had a friend's son ask me 8 years ago the same thing - however, I had a '99 Grand Am GT1 Sedan and it was over a year old at the time. He and his mom knew they'd be financially responsible if any damage was done, and I let him know that the backseat was not for "prom night baby-making sessions"! But I knew these people well, and it was a similar situation to what your neighbors are going through (financial hardships, poor family structure, lack of a decent car, etc.). I felt bad and in my heart couldn't say "no" - however, the wife <fiancee at the time> was not thrilled with the idea. Though I can definitely see your point - a 2-seater sports car that is still brand-spankin' new - is really out of the question. Maybe he asked just so he could say to his friends that he did ask you?

I've been at my school for six years now and it's not a "money" district. I've been a chaperone at each and every Senior Prom since I started teaching there and am amazed at the vehicles these kids get for prom. The ones with money are the ones to rent the limo's - I've seen them all, including super-stretch Hummer H2s and super-stretch Ford F350s with a hot tub in the back. And then the kids with some money will get a family or friend's vehicle that's done up nice - last year there was a tricked out '96 Impala SS and a '60s Dodge - that shines for that night (Yukon Denali and Caddy Escalades, stock and customized, are the norm too). The kids without the extra income just drive their everyday ride and show up to have fun at the prom regardless.

I'm sure this kid will make do with what he can; don't feel bad (if you do, then find a way to help him out and make his night really enjoyable :AH-HA_wink: ).

[SuperSport623]

my school is pretty wealthy (unfortuantley, im not) so every kid gets their own party bus or $2500 limo rental for the night.... while my $500 town car has set me back a few months...

whats also weird is that while everyone goes to parties afterwards, i dont drink (when you dont drink, you do NOT fit in at a high school party) so ive pretty much turned down all the parties ive been invited too....we'll cruise to the city and have some late night fun around the city that never sleeps

[A Horse With No Name]

I've loaned cars to H.S. students I've known and not had a problem. Even loaned one I knew was responsible my Miata for two weeks strait. It came back washed, waxed, and full of gas.

I can see why you didn't loan the Z, but to me that is why I drive modern cars with insurance. Something happens, State Farm writes a check and all is O.K.

Chris

[Northstar]

I wouldn't loan anyone the GTO. I've only let my best of friends drive the GTO for about 3 minutes maximum. I wouldn't let anyone take it out for prom.

[gmpartsgirl]

I would just die if something happened to the car though, whether insurance would fix it or not. But, I don't think my insurance would pay off on a 17 year old destroying it, and he only has liability with 25/50/25. So he doesn't have enough insurance. I wish he at least knew how much thought my husband and I actually put into his request though. I really want to help.

[cletus8269]

drove my 69 impy to my jr and sr prom, drove my dads z28 to my then gf's jr and sr prom. i can understand why you would be cautious cause we went out and raced a lil before the dancin part. my buddy snagged his dad's 66 convertible vette with a stroker motor, smoked a lightning and a couple mustangs and camaros that night in it. thats another reason

fast car+prom night = problem.

maybe help him rent a mustang or something go halfers with him? doubt there are many gt-350h's still out and about.

Edited April 14, 2008 by cletus8269

[Sixty8panther]

Yeah.... I'm not surprised you said NO.

It is what it is, he'll live if he doesn't show up to Prom in a brand new

sports car but you might have a nightmare scenario on your hands if

something happened to your car, or god forbid someone got hurt in

an accident.

[Croc]

I'm crazy possessive about my Aurora. I know how you feel. One of my best friends is getting his license soon, and part of me wants to help him out by taking him to a parking lot and all...but no I just can't do it.

[Paolino]

Tell him he can take my 94 Century. And then wreck it. :AH-HA_wink:

Seriously though, you did the right thing. He's young, it's a night when kids drink and act recklessly--and even if he doesn't drink, someone else could and do something stupid.

But for Prom, we all chipped in and got a 10-seater Town Car... then again, this was back in 1995... and the limo was only a fraction of the Prom tickets (one for me and my girl), to the Waldorf, a horse and carriage ride through Central Park, a Comedy Club afterwards, and Little Italy the next day.

[gmpartsgirl]

I could trade cars with sister-in-law for the night, and drive them to the prom in her car. It's an '07 Infiniti FX. It's as cool if not cooler than my car. What do ya think? At least it has a back seat, big ass wheels and it's loud as hell. LOL

[Croc]

That's an idea...

They SHOULD be driven...my prom night involved binge drinking and almost blacking out, so they should not be behind the wheel of any car...

[gmpartsgirl]

I really wish they could have rounded up the money for the limo, it's the safest and they are all together, but I guess their parents aren't helping that much. I'll see if Mike thinks his sister would be willing to do that before I call her. I may ask the kiddo if he'd be down for it too, when I tell him "no" tonight. I haven't told him yet, I didn't want to just immediately say "hell no" and embarrass him, I wanted him to think I at least thought about it.

[Cory Wolfe]

I don't even let anyone drive the Cutlass. I'm sure you've seen my thoughts on it.

[SuperSport623]

Tell him he can take my 94 Century. And then wreck it. :AH-HA_wink:

i may have to take you up on that... ill even pick it up!

if you look to sell that car, let me know :AH-HA_wink:

[Camino LS6]

Every time I glance at the list of lounge topics, my brain wants to read this one as " Can I borrow your car for porn?"

[cletus8269]

finally, i was thinknin i was the only one doing that. i had to read it twice the first time i saw it hehe

[SuperSport623]

no way!

guilty of the same

[Camino LS6]

Great minds...

[SuperSport623]

great minds..? alright, lets go with that!

[vonVeezelsnider]

Haha, GMPG, you made the sane decision, anyone with a head on their shoulders would think the same way.... I wouldn't even think of asking my dad to lend me his Impala for prom... but then again, the lack of a date and other factors that make the whole thing trivial IMO mean I'm just not going to my senior prom this year.

[daves87rs]

Every time I glance at the list of lounge topics, my brain wants to read this one as " Can I borrow your car for porn?"

Wow Camino-I was just thinking that too before I read your post...

Great minds think alike, huh? :AH-HA_wink:

[GMTruckGuy74]

I could trade cars with sister-in-law for the night, and drive them to the prom in her car. It's an '07 Infiniti FX. It's as cool if not cooler than my car. What do ya think? At least it has a back seat, big ass wheels and it's loud as hell. LOL

At least you're coming up with options when you have to tell him no. Please don't think I want you to give up your new car for the night, I'm just saying that what you experienced is nothing new. When I had my SKY, many of the kids in the class of 2006 (I was their class advisor) asked to borrow it for the prom, but they were either joking or just testing my patience Much like you, that was one car I'd never loan out - heck, I was nervous when the wife was behind the wheel! It was MY baby and as such, no one else was allowed to touch her. I hope this kid appreciates your willingness t help him out, and hopefully something works out. Maybe a few of the neighbors and his family can all chip in for a limo?

[SuperSport623]

Haha, GMPG, you made the sane decision, anyone with a head on their shoulders would think the same way.... I wouldn't even think of asking my dad to lend me his Impala for prom... but then again, the lack of a date and other factors that make the whole thing trivial IMO mean I'm just not going to my senior prom this year.

if you were not SO far away, id set you up! i have so many female friends looking for prom dates

you never know, you might find someone worth going with soon enough

[gmpartsgirl]

Every time I glance at the list of lounge topics, my brain wants to read this one as " Can I borrow your car for porn?"

:rotflmao:

[ZL-1]

Every time I glance at the list of lounge topics, my brain wants to read this one as " Can I borrow your car for porn?"

I am relieved that it's not just my eyes that read that

Edited April 15, 2008 by ZL-1

[XP715]

You made the right decision. The kid will definitely be fine if he doesn't show up to prom in the best car. I think any parent that loans their kid a nice car for prom is an idiot, honestly, as more than a few have come back on the backs of flatbeds and resulted in late-night hospital visits. Do you know anybody with a nice old car that could volunteer to be his chauffeur for the evening so that while you can't personally contribute with your vehicle, you can at least hook him up with a cool ride? Maybe you could front him some dough for a limousine in exchange for some yard work and keeping your cars clean, etc?

[cletus8269]

Haha, GMPG, you made the sane decision, anyone with a head on their shoulders would think the same way.... I wouldn't even think of asking my dad to lend me his Impala for prom... but then again, the lack of a date and other factors that make the whole thing trivial IMO mean I'm just not going to my senior prom this year.

i've always heard go with a friend rather than a date anyway, my cousin went with one of his best friends and said that he had twice the fun with her than when he went with a girlfriend the year before. hehe when you go with a friend you can always trade out to the other people that came without dates

[cletus8269]

Maybe you could front him some dough for a limousine in exchange for some yard work and keeping your cars clean, etc?

heck yeah, i used to wash lot cars and customer cars when arnetts b/p/gmc was in business. car owners could bring in their cars for a free wash on saturdays, when there was none to wash we cleaned the lot cars. it was sweet washing those brand new firebirds and transams and driving them around the lot at 15

[Intrepidation]

Maybe you could front him some dough for a limousine in exchange for some yard work and keeping your cars clean, etc?

That's a great idea !

[vonVeezelsnider]

Everyone I know is planning on these Vulgar Lincoln Navigator and Hummer H2 Limos (I mean not even a classic stretched black Town Car). If I was to go... I'd want to be driven there by an older guy in a nice coat in a 1965 Cadillac Hardtop Sedan. Forget the booze, I mean you'd be binging on STYLE.

[gmpartsgirl]

"Mrs. Partsgirl? Could I trade you this grocery bag of Playgirl magazines in exchange for the use of your car on prom night?"

"Why do you have a bag of Playgirl magazines?"

"Uh..."

[daves87rs]

Interesting....

[scharmer05]

I don't blame you for doing what you did. If I owned a brand new Z I'd have to think about it too. Mostly because no matter how good of a kid this kid is, he is probably going rail on it at least a couple of times. I went to a smaller school. Freshman-Seniors got to go to prom and that only made up about 100 couples. Showing up in a fly ride was a necessity.

My prom rides:

2002: an 01 Escalade riding on 20s. White Pearl. It was my uncles and in 02 it was quite the ride.

2003: an 03 Corvette. I burned at least 10% of that poor cars tires that night. It was a good family friend who has more money than he knows what to do with and he told me to use it like it was intended to be used. First time hitting 150mph.

2004: an 04 GTO. My cousin is 20% owner of a Chevy-Cadillac-P-B-G dealer in Grafton, ND and stole me the keys to a yellow 04 with a 6 speed. Not a lot of GTOs in our area at that point so it was the talk of the prom.

2005: an 05 H2. It was my cousins. Black on 22s. A LOT of fun. Although it stormed that night here and it did get STUCK in a snowbank that i tried cutting over just for fun. An H2 STUCK...are you kidding me. Embarrassing to say the least. 22s were no help at all.

Also in 2005: I went to my girlfriends prom as well and borrowed my grandpas STS. Kind of toned down compared to the rest of the prom rides, but a nice car none the less.

But again, I don't blame you at all. I think it was pretty stupid for anyone to have loaned me their vehicles. I would have had to pay OUT THE ASS had I ever crashed them. Plus I would have felt terrible.

[SuperSport623]

Ha ha, that reminds me of a conversation I overheard back in high school after the prom:

"Hey, there's Joe. Did you see him at prom, 'cause I never did."

"You know Joe can't spend more than 5 minutes around women without going on a crotch punching spree."

:rotflmao: omg....!

[Drew Dowdell]

Every time I glance at the list of lounge topics, my brain wants to read this one as " Can I borrow your car for porn?"

.

[Drew Dowdell]

Everyone I know is planning on these Vulgar Lincoln Navigator and Hummer H2 Limos (I mean not even a classic stretched black Town Car). If I was to go... I'd want to be driven there by an older guy in a nice coat in a 1965 Cadillac Hardtop Sedan. Forget the booze, I mean you'd be binging on STYLE.

I've been thinking about founding a company based on this very premise. Vintage Limos show up cheap on ebay in VERY restorable condition. If you consider that the regular Towncar stretch is over $70,000, you can quickly do the math to see that purchase + restoration < Towncar stretch

.... and it gives me a way to tinker on old cars for a living....

[GMTruckGuy74]

I've been thinking about founding a company based on this very premise. Vintage Limos show up cheap on ebay in VERY restorable condition. If you consider that the regular Towncar stretch is over $70,000, you can quickly do the math to see that purchase + restoration < Towncar stretch

.... and it gives me a way to tinker on old cars for a living....

Move the business back to Jersey, I can help you get schools signed up, and then you can hire me part-time to be a driver! :AH-HA_wink:

[Sixty8panther]

Yup... Oldsmoboi has a fantastic idea there... me and XP have often discussed this during TIGHT WHIPS meetings.

[A Horse With No Name]

Everyone I know is planning on these Vulgar Lincoln Navigator and Hummer H2 Limos (I mean not even a classic stretched black Town Car). If I was to go... I'd want to be driven there by an older guy in a nice coat in a 1965 Cadillac Hardtop Sedan. Forget the booze, I mean you'd be binging on STYLE.

Jesus that would be so much better. Don't know what anyone sees in the Navi as a prom-mobile, but they are popular.

I always hung out with the alternative punk rock/goth type people in High School, and wanted to take a hearse to prom.

Now a 65 Caddy hearse, that would be classy AND unique.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

I've been thinking about founding a company based on this very premise. Vintage Limos show up cheap on ebay in VERY restorable condition. If you consider that the regular Towncar stretch is over $70,000, you can quickly do the math to see that purchase + restoration < Towncar stretch

.... and it gives me a way to tinker on old cars for a living....

That's an excellent idea. Matt, one of our vendors has quite a little business doing just that. He has a Rolls used in Scarface or some other movie and a few other cool old cars. Coolest part is he gets MORE money out of the vintage stuff.

Chris

[Drew Dowdell]

Do I smell a C&G business franchise coming on?

[Sixty8panther]

My Boss' six-passenger TC stretch (it's stretched like 6 feet)

cost about $85K new... only validates your point even MORE.

And if you remember at one point I had my '64 Super 88

four door hardtop and XP had his '74 Lincoln limo. That's

the first time we talked about this kind of business idea.