Working on the 02 today - "Dad can I help?"

[Dionk]

My nine yr old daughter was playing with the dog in the front yard and then walked over and asked "Dad can I help?" I showed her how to check and top off the oil.  Very proud dad.

[Healey3000]

That's really nice!  To see kids interested in using their hands is a wonderful thing.  The father-daughter bonding memories will outlast the 2002 and probably all the cars that come after it.  Good job, dad!

 

I still have fond memories of my three-year old daughter pouring dirt down all the sprinkler risers I had just installed in the front yard for a lawn.  "Dad, look, I'm helping!"  That was years ago but it I can see and feel it like it was yesterday.

[73tiiDavidPA]

Awesome!  Hopefully she shows a continual interest and it becomes a daughter / father activity.  

 

My daughter always referred to my '73 tii as "the red car".  She never got her hand dirty working on it, but after she learned stick on the Honda Civic (she took her drivers test on that) she wanted to drive the tii in our little 4th of July parade.  As you can imagine, 20 or so vintage cars, all driven by middle aged guys... then this high school girl shows up in a little red BMW... she got lots of attention that afternoon.  For a couple of years it became a little tradition, and she'd take her brother along to help through candy out the window.  I also taught her how to get the cute boys attention who where walking down the sidewalk by downshifting and letting the engine make a little noise.  

[mmichalik]

Awesome stuff guys.  I've tried to get my girls to help in the past (they are 10, 13 and 26 respectively) but, they just think I'm nuts for having two cars that are both over 40 years old.

 

Enjoy it as much as you can!

[NYNick]

My .02

Teach them how to change a flat.

Teach them how to check the oil, and add it.

Teach them how to put air in the tires.

Teach them to stop the car when the temp gauge goes to the red....

Oh, and teach them how to drive a stick.

 

 

[OriginalOwner]

FANTASTIC !!!

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

[darrinm1]

When my daughter was about five years old, she slid under the car with me while it was on jack stands. She was curious what I was doing. I showed her that I was changing the transmission oil and replacing the flex disk (guibo). I pointed out the engine, transmission, driveline, and rear differential. And quickly explained that they all worked together to make the car move. After my windbag of an explanation that she was very patient with, she asked me if I wanted to play dolls. I agreed to go play.
She is now nine, and still remembers that day. One day she will drive the '02. For now she is very happy anytime she gets to go for a trip, especially if she gets to ride in the front!



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Healey3000]

7 minutes ago, darrinm1 said:

After my windbag of an explanation...

This reminds me - when I bought the 2002, my son was concerned about the "lack of safety design features" since the car was so old.  He asked whether it at least had a driver's side airbag.  I said, no, but it has a windbag.

 

Took him a few moments to figure that one out.  Off-topic, I know, but I couldn't resist.

[Son of Marty]

When it came time for both my daughters to buy their first cars, both e30's, I told them I would help with the cost if I could pick the cars. They both got very nice cars and both cars had at least one moderate size dent in it which they weren't happy about explicitly when I told them that they got to help fix it, but both did and still talk about it today 16 years later but the big payoff is nether one has put so much as a scratch in any of their cars to this day.