Bit of a dilema!!!

[scitzz]

I couldn't agree more. Take a look into the future. The time will come when you will look back at this decision and either remember building a car by yourself without support from your Dad, or you'll remember building a car with your Dad and with his support. You'll remember laughing over silly things, grumbling together about stubborn bolts, discussing the best method to complete the right mod. Don't just build a car by yourself, build a relationship with your Dad and mod it out.

You know, I looked at skeeters keeper, and thinking, wow, I WISH my son would bake an engine in my oven while I was out of town. Slowly but surely, my son is coming around to realize the value of working on your own car. I absolutely love it when he works on a car with me. If your dad is willing to dig a car with you, go for it.
BUT, turn him onto this site, for sure! There may be things he does not know, and, as a Dad, he may not take just your word for it. This site has the least amount of BS of any forum I have ever seen. He may respect that.
Me, I would keep the festy on the backburner......
Now, if you do decide to sell it for cheap, PM me first! LOL

[Pocket_Rocket]

I would give your dad numbers...Like, for how little dough a Festy can become fast in every way, plus the fact that other car's stock parts can be used as upgrades for cheap, plus I'd make him read a little history about Colin Chapman, Lotus' creator, about how lightness is the key...More lightness= better handling, smaller brakes to do the same job, and more importantly, less power (or smaller engine) to go as fast. Smaller engine= better fuel economy! You end up with a car that's as fast as a sports car but is cheaper to run.But if money is no object for him and he already has his mind set on the Miata, then I guess there's nothing you can do to make him change his mind...But I'd still keep the Festy for a future project if I were you...

[festivaWES]

Go your dads route and get a miata...that way if it ever get wrecked you could just swap the bp to the festiva..a win/win situation

[Icedawg]

x2 for what festivaWES just said.
x 5 for what m715 said about the value of working with your Dad on a project (my he is eloquent too), along with Scitzz and Gottafesty's opinions on his post.
This will be a project and a time you'll always remember. Let it happen.

[joebreck117]

MIATA.
Festy is an expensive project for someone your age.
I'm 19 I KNOW.

[NovaSS]

It is almost impossible to use a car as a DD and modify it at the same time. I wouldnt put too much into the festiva, just make it safe and keep it as a back up car and build/ drive the Miata.

[jglutz]

Kevin, it sounds like he really wants the Miata.

Is space at a premium? Will HE fund all the Miata work?

If you could keep your Festiva, or at least keep all the Festiva/Aspire goodies you have collected, maybe you could do a Festiva in the future.

Emphasize that gas prices are NOT getting cheaper! Emphasize that a Miata won't be as practical as a Festiva, nor hold as much cargo. Insurance will be MORE on the Miata.

Emphasize that the Miata can be in his name for lower insurance and a Festiva--your current one or a later FI one--can eventually become YOUR car.

I'd go with a B6 swap for your first one anyway. Remember those gas prices, and prices in general!

Also, has your Dad looked at our site here? Get him on here and let him see the support you have for your first passion!

Karl

Not fond of the swap.....but the rest of this post is BRILLIANT!

[nonamekid]

My suggestion is to do the miata. It maybe a hard decision's now, but you won't regret it in the future. Building a car is nice, but building a relationship is worth a whole lot more. To be honest, every car has its cult following, and according to them, it is the best car to modify. I like driving my 240sx, RWD is fun and the car is comfortable. I love the sound my mx-3 makes. I love the red line at 7000 rpm. I love my festiva, it is pokey compared to my other cars, but it is still fun to drive. I have a B6T and suspension waiting to be put in it. I would gladly trade any of them to have a project with my dad.

[sodikartracer]

Wow, this sounds familiar. I am currently 17 and own a 91 festiva, and since i have been reading these forums, all i can think about is a motor swap and brake swap, but my dad, like yours, also has a thing for small sports cars and has no interest whatsoever in the festiva. No matter what i do i can not change his mind. We also own a miata, and the main thing he dislikes about the festiva is the front wheel drive, he despises it. We often work on cars together, as well as racing go karts, but he has zero interest in modding the festiva. If you ask me, i would say put the festiva aside, build a radical and fun miata, and return to the festiva's later on in life. You have a great opportunity to spend many hours of quality father son time. Take it.

[25Horseplay]

Be glad your Dad is willing to build a car with/for you. My Dad was never into cars so I was on my own when it came to cars. If I would have had the chance to build a father/son project car it probably wouldn't have mattered what it was.

[jglutz]

Be glad your Dad is willing to build a car with/for you. My Dad was never into cars so I was on my own when it came to cars. If I would have had the chance to build a father/son project car it probably wouldn't have mattered what it was.

Me too.....

When my son turned 16....he was around when his first car was rebuilt...1987chevy cav...watched more than anything....a great kid still the same. Since we have bought him a Focus.

When my daughter turned 16...her rebuid...1996 Ford Escort...she drove me crazy...I'm good for maybe 20 hours a week in the garage...she wanted to do 60...she did everything....Block in-crank out...I just called out torque values. She now has a Wrangler

I now have the cav, escort and my beloved Festiva....the rest all have new cars....go figure.

My daughter has affectionately named anything her brother drives..."The Loser Cruiser"

[25Horseplay]

My daughter has affectionately named anything her brother drives..."The Loser Cruiser"

Thats funny! I see theres no love lost there!

[av8ter]

I am leaning heavy towards this new car................

[av8ter]

I have decided to get rid of my Tiva! I am almost certainly going with a Miata for a sweet project with Padre. There is so much more going for the Miata straight out of the box than my Festiva.

My car will be sold with the mirrors, tach cluster, door pockets, LX console, Pioneer CD with MP3 jack, pioneer 6.5''s and my stock Integra 6.5''s, LED third brake light, map pockets, and a clock.

Expect a listing in the For Sale section soon.

Discuss:

[neanderpaul]

If you are loking for opinions, here's one. Take your Dad up on his offer. At your age, on his dime, this will be your one shot at spending time doing this with him like you never will again. Save parts in the corner for later when you build a car on YOUR dime. Enjoy this time in your life. Real responsibilities will hit you very soon. Enjoy the fact that you have that Dad that wants to build a sports car with you, and remember..... this may be HIS only chance to have that car too. It works both ways. Take this from a guy that's probably your Dads age. It could be worse, you know..... I want to put MY kids in a Checker.........

Michael

Sounds like VERY wise advice. Play dad's game with dad. There is only so much time in this life.

But see if you can weasel a way to keep the festiva! :twisted: