is the answer the answer? (groomsmen present question)

I bought me groomsmen a...umm.... Crap. I knew I forgot something that day. ;)

We kept it simple all around, had a great day, and great memories.

Never mind all the comments on how much you're planning on spending, think about the reality of buying them a car. Now they have to register it, insure it, store it somewhere, fix it when it breaks (and a 20 year old Miata is going to need something at some point), etc... The thought is awesome in concept, but in reality is less so.

If you want to blow that kind of cash, do the mother of all track days or racing schools.

mndsm wrote: if you see this ring on anyones hand, I own the prototype.

That's nearly identical to mine. Strange.

Klayfish wrote: Never mind all the comments on how much you're planning on spending, think about the reality of buying them a car. Now they have to register it, insure it, store it somewhere, fix it when it breaks (and a 20 year old Miata is going to need something at some point), etc... The thought is awesome in concept, but in reality is less so. If you want to blow that kind of cash, do the mother of all track days or racing schools.

I'm with this guy. As awesome as it'd be to get a Miata for free... I can totally see myself thinking 'great, another berkeleying project and spot in the driveway I have to shovel around...' For half of that money, you could privately rent a track out for a full day and flog the bejeezus out of some pretty cool damn cars.

In reply to Klayfish:

that's why I came to ask. groomsman #3 is also 6'7. I'm liking the rallycross idea. I have access to 220+ acres that with a weekend of prep I can have a pretty sweet course set up on. I'll need to get timing equipment setup, but it could be done.

SWMBO is getting to head to Europe in the spring for 6 weeks (she can extend it to 8 if she'd like) I'll be back and forth for work at least 4 time in the time frame. She's never been and really wants to see Germany and the UK, both of which she'll have over a week to spend in. She'll also be taking delivery of a 981 while there, that she doesn't know about.

golfduke wrote:

Klayfish wrote: Never mind all the comments on how much you're planning on spending, think about the reality of buying them a car. Now they have to register it, insure it, store it somewhere, fix it when it breaks (and a 20 year old Miata is going to need something at some point), etc... The thought is awesome in concept, but in reality is less so. If you want to blow that kind of cash, do the mother of all track days or racing schools.

I'm with this guy. As awesome as it'd be to get a Miata for free... I can totally see myself thinking 'great, another berkeleying project and spot in the driveway I have to shovel around...' For half of that money, you could privately rent a track out for a full day and flog the bejeezus out of some pretty cool damn cars.

I agree - a good friend giving me a car I wouldn't choose for myself makes for an uncomfortable sale problem. I don;t want it but I don't want to hurt his feelings or appear ungrateful.

I'm pretty sure they could all do the 2 day Skip Barber at Laguna or similar for 3x Miatas and that would be something you can do together that has a lasting impact on memory centers and no legacy artifacts to dispose of quietly .

The best man deserves an M3.

OP, you have a sister who's single?

OP, would you think about marrying a dude?

I can divorce my wife pretty quick.... Or if you like her she can join in too.

I want a miata and a surprise 981.... While I am in Europe for 6 to 8 weeks.

No single sisters, not that it would matter in terms on toys side of things

WV, you do have me thinking about setting up an event in the next year or 2 that could be pretty fun. (btw I'm just hoping the 981 resulting in me inheriting the 986 from her.

You can probably get all four of you in for significantly under your budget here: http://www.arielatom.com/driving-experience

Honestly, while your budget is pretty significant, unless you want to spend half your life surfing the depths of craigslist, you aren't coming up with 3 decent Miatas for 8K. There are occasional exceptions, but most sub 4K Miatas these days squarely fall in the "project car" catagory.

My groomsmen were told to help themselves to the bridesmaids.

I'm not paying for upgraded bridesmaids

tuna55 wrote: Holy E36 M3 My wedding was about half that.

My wedding was about 8500 less than that.

My wedding consisted of my wife, me, a judge, and the photographer as a witness. It was in a beautiful location which served as step one of our honeymoon. I left it all up to my wife and she contacted a travel agent to make all the arrangements. The total price was very reasonable. I was impressed and proud of her planning.

In reply to mndsm:

I'm wearing that exact ring right now. Or at least a 50 buck knockoff of it from a big online shopping site.

I actually picked it after seeing it in a thread on here.

Wow.

My groomsmen each got a pair of these to wear after the formalities of church...and presumably for some future enjoyment as well...

In reply to FSP_ZX2:

somewhat ironically they are getting pairs in purple with green laces

If you really like these guys, you should give them Hummers...

...Yeah, Hummer hot wheels.

gunner wrote: Not to thread jack but I thought I was the only one that got married on Halloween! LOL!

Nope. Me too.

Woody wrote: If you really care about these guys, you should give them Hummers...

snort

Lof8 wrote: This is one of the oddest things I've ever heard. $9k for groomsman gifts? You might be at the wrong forum.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. A few years back the crew here shared the demographic results from a large survey of the readers. I was shocked that most of the folks on here isn't not what I'd consider grassroots. I'm not making any statements good or bad, I was just shocked.

I think it's more of a do-it-yourself, get the most for your money kind of crowd. Outside of the Challenge crowd, if you're going racing on your own dime in any capacity, you've got to have more money than the national average. You may be the poor guy at the race track, but you're still doing pretty damn well if you can afford to play with cars.

In reply to unevolved:

I think that you have it right. I am probably somewhere in the 2-3% range (not sure, really) but I am hooked on cheap cars, DIY and the Challenge. That is how I was raised and when you grow up that way it is harder than you might think to change.

I didn't want to give my groomsmen any kind of long term project, but I did spend serious coin to get them something special that they will hopefully enjoy forever and remember as a one time generous gift. Check out Purdy's of London if you want to see some serious sporting hardware (unless you are anti-gun; I respect that).