wit2pz

Morning all. Notice I left out "Good"...
Okay, so I've got this buddy, decent business man, all around good guy. He's never been a Vette guy, but he recently bought a '96 Collectors Edition with a set of Borlas, after months of my advising him. Sweet car, low miles, garage kept.

As most of us in here know, there's a strict methodology to cleaning and detailing our babies, especially those of us who want to keep that brilliant, scratch/swirl free luster on our delicate rides. You guys know there's a method to our madness that many don't understand or appreciate.

That said, he's keeping my baby in an airplane hangar for the winter months for me. No charge, swell guy. I gave him the keys a couple weeks ago to take it to the dealership to get the fluids changed. Now I gave the benefit of the doubt that there would be some driving around of the car, maybe one or two spirited runs, and that's fine, just don't abuse the priveledge. Right? Not beyond any normal enthusiast's expectations, right?

He calls me yesterday, and informs me that my car, (2001 coupe, unmodded) is definitely faster than his. I knew this for a while, but that was supposed to be settled at the track between he and I this year.
I asked how many miles he's put on it, and his reply was something like,
"It's not how far, it's how FAST! Yours is DEFINITELY faster than mine!"

I asked how fast, and he proceeds to tell me that he let his boys (he's got a couple of decent kids that work for him, the oldest is 22, the newest is 19 and put a hole in his carpet while cleaning a handgun in his garage) take the cars out.

Here's the kicker... he says, "Don't worry, I had the boys wash it good before they put it away."

My problem is that I am quite sure they've never heard the word "Microfiber," they don't know the process of removing dirt and grime from the cloth before dipping back into the bucket so the possibility of scratching and swirling is minimized, and I bet anybody in here they just used some harsh, abrasive soap, like dish detergent, or even worse yet, the car wash.: If they DID use the car wash, they probably used that brush...

I really didn't think it bothered me that much, because after we spoke, I didn't mull over it. However, last night, I went to bed at 11:30 and had a dream about seeing my car parked partly up a pile a mulch, and the mulch was packed against the side of the car. The body was damaged and my buddy was saying, "Hey, it's JUST a CAR!"
I woke up at 2:30 this morning and could not get back to sleep!:

Sorry this is so long, but NOBODY understands my feelings except most of you here. Sorry so long... Thanks for listening...

400hp

OK, I'll bite. Why would you leave him the keys?

Icemanskis

Sorry to hear about your misfortunes. It is nice that he did you a favor by storing your vette, but his actions are uncalled for. I wouldnt call him out on it, although that would be the last time I ever leave my car in his possession. The thought of his kids recklessly abusing your ride sends chills down my spine. Just give her a good washing and waxing and everything should be ok though.

ptdrummer54

so, how is he going to drive anything with 2 broken legs? Can't blame the kids, they were supposed to be under adult supervision..

wit2pz

He lives about 3.5 hrs away from me. The dealership is in his town. He agreed to take the car to the dealership to get the fluids changed for me. I only left the keys with him because I thought he'd do the respectable thing and take personal care of the car for me, insted of letting the boys have at it.

Shame on me

INaband

I guarantee he would be an ex-friend if I were you........

DidntSettle

Wow...I think letting his boyz drive that car, was totally inconsiderate and inappropriate.

400hp

That sucks, that would be the last time for me.

Stock Man

Well now that you've waken up your, going to have to go and see it. It's only then that you'll feel at easy, and most likely you'll find everything is OK. Keep us posted. We all have our fingers crossed.

wit2pz

Thanks for the support, folks. I was going to get out of bed and post this at 3:00 this morning, but I knew the wife would be concerned, and she just wouldn't understand!

I'm finding myself needing this place more and more

Yoggi

Maybe the whole thing was just a bad dream. Lets hope so.

AdamC5

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Just take a lesson away from this: convenience is not always worth it. I'd rather spend 10x the amount of time doing it my way/the hard way...as long as it results in piece of mind

BobH

Maybe, just maybe everything is OK..? Since your boss has a vette himself he may have taken extra care.. I don't agree with his kids driving your car though.. that's taking a lot of liberties. Good luck

jrose7004

You need to find a different place to park your car!

binkysgarage

Well when you wake up from your nightmare, that started when you gave him your keys go get your car and thank him for being such a great friend and helping you out. Put the car somewhere else.

wit2pz

That's the bad part, the only reason he's got a Vette is because I convinced him it's a great pleasure to own! He DOESN'T have a clue when it comes to cleaning/detailing it.

I showed him a thread on the Forum, and he thought that "Quote" at the bottom of a post meant the cost of the car!

BTW, he's a friend, not my boss.

wit2pz

Absolutely right! That's my plan for next weekend!

georgec114

OK...What am I missing here?

A buddy let's you garage your car for free, takes it to the dealer for
free and you expected him to drive it around in a "spirited" fashion.

He is a Vette owner as well. He lets trusted employees/kids take
it out for a drive and wash it. OK...that may be a little hard to swallow
but you did entrust him with the car.

Then you have a dream and come up with a reason to be pissed.

I don't get it. You are assuming the worst that "Oh my God, there
are some swirl marks in the clear coat."

Sorry to say, but no matter what you use and how you use it, you
will yourself get swirl marks and minor scracthes no matter how
careful and attentive you are. That's why there are car care products
such as Zaino and others.

Get over it, it's only a car.

Dowmace

Wow, I can't believe someone would let their kids drive another persons car! Thats very very disrespectful of them. I would never have my possible future kids drive another persons car if said person did not give them explicit permission. I'd probably be giving someone a severe verbal beating at the least!

Dowmace

To some it's only a car, to other people it's like a child. A very very expensive child. I don't think it's the damage that possibly occured that bothered him though, but the fact that the kids were allowed to drive the car without his permission.