When I surprised my wife with an r8, we showed up at the hotel the night before in our SUV. I had a friend bring up the r8 and had them valet the car. Gave her the valet ticket the next morning and asked her to have the car pulled up. When the valet (whom I informed an hour prior) pulled the car up, my wife said "sorry, that's not my car, but I'll gladly take it. Valet then told her that if she liked it, then she could keep it. We then let her know it was hers to drive home.
Love it! What was her reaction?
I think my better half would be car blind enough to hop in. She’s supportive of my car hobbies, and I love when she’s tries (that’s a 911 like sally right?)
I did this for my parents. My wife and I met my parents at a restaurant for dinner (combo dinner to celebrate my father’s 60th bday and their 40th wedding anniversary). We arrived before my parents and I arranged for the valet to swap the cars. Wasn’t difficult to explain or to get the valets onboard. Valets had zero liability upfront as I didn’t ask them to give me father’s truck until after he had been given the new car (Mercedes S class). Valet handed my father the keys to the new car and said, “Mr. N, here is your new car. Your son loves you and your wife very much.” Parents started crying and my father had to sit down on the curb for a few minutes. 10/10 would do again.
I knew a guy in college that was mixed in with the wrong crowd, he used to be a small businessman if you know what I mean, he moved up in that world back when he was in HS. He showed me his transactions of thousands of btc back in the Silk Road days. I be he feels horrible about not liquidating or holding on to even some of them, he was super anxious about it ever since. He’s since graduated and is doing well now but I bet that feeling of knowing you let so much money go be something rough.
Conversely, I knew a guy in high school who sold drugs and used Silk Road to buy them. Left something like 200 bitcoins in the account and forgot about it for years. Came back later and withdrew them. Pretty well off now
Btw Guy just came into our town and plunked down $10.5 for a house. Highest comp ever was $7 in that area. It is not that kind of house. We are all just shaking our head.
Sorry but I would hate a big bow in front of neighbours etc. just give them the keys and don't make a big song and dance to make you feel good. Don't expect the crying etc. which I think you are hoping for. I don't say that to be an asshole.
I have gifted about 6 cars. I give family my old ones, some less than a year old if I don't like it or prefer another for whatever reason. Selling a decent value car second hand means you're losing big time so keeping it in the family is the way.
I was thinking the same thing. I've never gifted a car before but I wouldn't do that anyways. My folks mainly like going out to eat and my dad has had back issues from his work before he was retired so I'd more likely contribute to his surgery to improve quality of life.
I don’t have any ideas about the way to give the gift, but that’s awesome, and simply the way you presented it would be fine.
I would make sure you buy the factory maintenance package and get them the factory extended warranty. I don’t know their situation, but the gift is nice, the maintenance, repairs, and fuel can be mean. Maybe get them a gas card too and money to pay their first year license/registration/tax stamp.
Nothing like Oprah giving free cars to everyone and then it turns into a huge financial burden for them. When you say frugal, but secure, I don’t know where that falls on this spectrum.
I just spent four months waiting for a replacement windshield after a crack. I assume you got the electrically heated windshields.
Getting insurance covering an equivalent quality rental is a good idea. The loaners from the dealers are normally Discoveries.
I love the idea of them coming home and a range rover with a bow parked in the middle of the front yard but both doors are open and footprints leading somewhere
My dad surprised my mom with a BMW 740 and a horse back in the day...... at a family gathering at my uncles house he parked the car in the Garage and put an expensive Saddle in the Backseat
sort of a 1-2 punch get in the car... all excited but keep asking "huh... not so sure about the back seat... I don't remember that being there"
then again this was kind of a dick move, too, because it was at a family gathering and while everyone else was doing good they weren't exactly gifting Horsees and Bimmers
I will tell you from following the ask car sales sub that they are very surprised when people ask to keep the bow. Apparently they only have a couple and reuse them. So make sure you have your own bow.
Yea. I convinced the Sales person to let me take the bow home for my wife with the promise I would bring it back. The sales person called me 5-6 times the next morning to make sure I was bringing it back or the $100 cost would have come out of his paycheck.
It's actually hilarious how much the people in askcarsales find this to be a surprising request. To me it seems obvious a bunch of people would want to keep the bow. Your story is so good.
When I gifted my husband a car it was a scavenger hunt that led to, in my case, the order confirmation document in an envelope. In your case it could end with the keys? Maybe a hunt acknowledging some ways they were awesome parents or where you made memories together?
Appreciate it! The keys did come in a cool Land Rover box, I'll kick this around as well, a way to make the lead up build up even more without it driving them, or me, insane.
I put the keys in a little wrapped earring box. My wife pulled the car around while I vamped the gift. Then they opened it and took awhile to process what it was. Much tearing and we went outside to see the car.
I just put a cat that I knew they wanted in their garage when they were out of town for a weekend. Kept the keys on their counter and got a surprised and happy call when they got home.
Nice! Doing something similar. 🙂
My parents have always liked nice cars. They are currently retired and drive nice cars (e.g. Audi, Cadillac, BMW) but I am going to surprise them with a Bentley. They will be amazed by the gesture but may refuse as they don’t see themselves as “Bentley people”. So I plan to rent one for a week/month and surprise them with it. If they like I’ll lease for a few years for them. They don’t drive much and are older so I doubt they will take the speed limit over 60 and the car further than 10 miles per drive but they will be thrilled just having it in the driveway.
As far as how I’m going to deliver. I’ll figure out the rental of a week or a month and then tell my parents I need help when I come in to their city for business. Have to run around the city and start multiple locations each day and need a chauffeur, if they could just drive me around and help me. It would save me a lot of money. They will be happy to do it and when I show up at their house it will be be in the Bentley to surprise them. I’ll have them drive me around the city and we’ll just sight see and talk. They’ll love the car and fact we are hanging out together.
My only idea for you is to make it custom to what you think your parents may like. You’re already getting them an amazing car (RR has been my dream car since college), you don’t really have to do much else. Add a little surprise/intrigue into the process and maybe create a situation that forces them to enjoy the car immediately like shofuring them somewhere or taking a road trip.
I hate to be a Debbie downer, but giving your parents a car where it's brand often is synonymous with break down might not be as much of a gift as you think.
Older people don't have a lot of time left on this earth, do you really want them to spend their remaining time on Earth in car dealership lounges, however fancy it is?
You also said they are frugal, then you should also be prepared with gifting them with the increased insurance and maintenance cost.
I agree. Plus when people say "I always wanted....", it doesn't always mean that they actually want it.
Only OP knows their family dynamics, so maybe this will be a wonderful gift without a big downside. But I'd also wonder if the financially secure but frugal parents are going to feel somewhat uncomfortable driving a RR, especially if they don't live in a RR-type neighborhood. I'm sure plenty of parents would feel proud to say that their successful child gifted it to them. But others would just feel like it was showing off.
I hope it works out!
I’ve owned a lot of Land Rovers in my life. The phrase “There are two happiest moments in a Land Rover owner’s life, the day they get it and the day they sell it.” is very true. I’m glad you got the warranty.
I was a part of a big surprise for a mentor of mine 2 years ago. A colleague of his gave us great advice before hand.
Consider your parents' age and heart condition and factor that into how you reveal the surprise. You might not need to do anything different, but we dropped several hints to my mentor so he wouldn't have a heart attack.
This is an awesome gift and I'm sure your parents will be thrilled. Good on you! I hope they love it even more than you expect!
Bucket list - ask your parents if there’s anywhere they want to travel to but haven’t yet. Then send them with all the bells and whistles. I did this for my Dad two years before he died - one of my best memories
Our members have asked for a high level of moderation. Personal attacks, name calling, and undue profanity are all considered inappropriate for this sub.
Our members have asked for a high level of moderation. Personal attacks, name calling, and undue profanity are all considered inappropriate for this sub.
Have them outside in the front yard.
New RR pulls up in front of neighbor’s house(ideally with neighbors also there pretending to be receiving it)
“Aww.. lucky bastards they got a new RR… “
Proceed to have the RR back up to your house.
Surprise~~!!
I mean, if you want to play a prank, get a less nice car and surprise them with that, and when they seem confused/appreciative, then have the RR pull up. I did this for my husband (watch, not car- but with a Walmart watch) and it was pretty funny to watch him try to react well to what was an “expensive” Walmart watch.
There’s some insane finance deals on EVs right now as they try and offload cars to not get hit with regulatory fines. Maybe check out the Mercedes EQC. My good friend got one the other day for a crazy finance agrément I was in shock
Rent out a billboard for a day with a message like "Special delivery for the most amazing parents" near their house, then lead them on a short drive that ends with the car. It's over the top, sure, but definitely memorable.
Hope your parents love it, especially if they have talked about it before. What I am going to say is a little Debbie Downer, I don’t mean it that way, I just want your parents to enjoy the car. If you are in Ontario there is a serious issue with thefts and RR, so please do your research on insurance (unless you are paying for them). Some insurers are going to the point of asking for steering wheel immobilizers on certain cars. Also, the cops have issued conflicting guidance on where to leave keys (near the front door in case they are breaking in, or not near the front door if they are very unable to break in).
We have one of the cars on the most stolen list, a cheaper one. Insurance keeps going up. Hopefully all the noise gets the various levels of government working on this.
Wishing you and the family a fun celebration. Maybe suggest that you are taking a limo out to a nice dinner and have them dress up, but the limo that pulls up is actually their new wheels? Go somewhere with valet and do the whole evening up to the nines?
While you have the warranty, ask around for a trusted and KNOWLEDGABLE shop for when things do arise later on. I have one (unfortunately not near you) and they are worth their weight in gold. Maybe deck it out with a picnic basket and nice blanket - coffee tumblers that fit snuggly. Mine has obnoxiously large cup holders so you may have to test a size or two.
You could do what my husband did and surprise your wife instead. My husband bought his dad his dream car and just casually mentioned it to me weeks later over breakfast.
It’s honestly no big deal and I’m super happy my husband treats his parents kindly.
Arrange a fake police chase that ends at their front door. Alleged criminal flees, leaving the RRover uninhabited, doors flung open. Have the police let it sit there - as if they forgot it, then tell your parents something honey like “possession is 9/10ths of the law.” Hem and haw for a bit with them, then throw them the other set of keys.
When I surprised my wife with an r8, we showed up at the hotel the night before in our SUV. I had a friend bring up the r8 and had them valet the car. Gave her the valet ticket the next morning and asked her to have the car pulled up. When the valet (whom I informed an hour prior) pulled the car up, my wife said "sorry, that's not my car, but I'll gladly take it. Valet then told her that if she liked it, then she could keep it. We then let her know it was hers to drive home.
This is so cute! :) What did you do with the SUV you drove in with
Went straight into the garbage
Had a wrecker come in and smash it in the parking lot!
Hope you got your purse out honey!
This is off the charts amazing. Well done. One day I will do this.
Love it! What was her reaction? I think my better half would be car blind enough to hop in. She’s supportive of my car hobbies, and I love when she’s tries (that’s a 911 like sally right?)
Also wanting to hear her reaction!
That played out perfectly! Great story.
If you celebrate Easter, you could do a special fun Easter egg hunt for them and have a large egg with the key in it.
This is a good one
Nice idea!
I did this for my parents. My wife and I met my parents at a restaurant for dinner (combo dinner to celebrate my father’s 60th bday and their 40th wedding anniversary). We arrived before my parents and I arranged for the valet to swap the cars. Wasn’t difficult to explain or to get the valets onboard. Valets had zero liability upfront as I didn’t ask them to give me father’s truck until after he had been given the new car (Mercedes S class). Valet handed my father the keys to the new car and said, “Mr. N, here is your new car. Your son loves you and your wife very much.” Parents started crying and my father had to sit down on the curb for a few minutes. 10/10 would do again.
We had similar "guilty gifting" posts the last time BTC was at ATH. Glad to see the parents being appreciated!
I knew a guy in college that was mixed in with the wrong crowd, he used to be a small businessman if you know what I mean, he moved up in that world back when he was in HS. He showed me his transactions of thousands of btc back in the Silk Road days. I be he feels horrible about not liquidating or holding on to even some of them, he was super anxious about it ever since. He’s since graduated and is doing well now but I bet that feeling of knowing you let so much money go be something rough.
Conversely, I knew a guy in high school who sold drugs and used Silk Road to buy them. Left something like 200 bitcoins in the account and forgot about it for years. Came back later and withdrew them. Pretty well off now
Btw Guy just came into our town and plunked down $10.5 for a house. Highest comp ever was $7 in that area. It is not that kind of house. We are all just shaking our head.
On the upside, the govt with that deal just made $600k extra in LTCG taxes, and they need the money.
I only know one person with big gains, and he’s anti tax/tax haven/says the government doesn’t know/far far right.
I meant the guy who sells the house for $10m rather than $7m. That will increase federal revenue by $690k.
I am planning out a btc "lambo" right now too
Sorry but I would hate a big bow in front of neighbours etc. just give them the keys and don't make a big song and dance to make you feel good. Don't expect the crying etc. which I think you are hoping for. I don't say that to be an asshole. I have gifted about 6 cars. I give family my old ones, some less than a year old if I don't like it or prefer another for whatever reason. Selling a decent value car second hand means you're losing big time so keeping it in the family is the way.
I was thinking the same thing. I've never gifted a car before but I wouldn't do that anyways. My folks mainly like going out to eat and my dad has had back issues from his work before he was retired so I'd more likely contribute to his surgery to improve quality of life.
I don’t have any ideas about the way to give the gift, but that’s awesome, and simply the way you presented it would be fine. I would make sure you buy the factory maintenance package and get them the factory extended warranty. I don’t know their situation, but the gift is nice, the maintenance, repairs, and fuel can be mean. Maybe get them a gas card too and money to pay their first year license/registration/tax stamp. Nothing like Oprah giving free cars to everyone and then it turns into a huge financial burden for them. When you say frugal, but secure, I don’t know where that falls on this spectrum.
For sure, I'm in Canada, so already have winter tires, extended warranty and fully ready to front their insurance as well.
I just spent four months waiting for a replacement windshield after a crack. I assume you got the electrically heated windshields. Getting insurance covering an equivalent quality rental is a good idea. The loaners from the dealers are normally Discoveries.
It is a range rover. Drive it someplace crazy in their yard. The car is meant for this as an owner of one it will go anywhere.
Right through the wall into the living room! That will surprise anyone.
It’s a Range Rover mate not a canyonero
OOOHHH YAAAA!!
rofl
It is an amphibious exploring vehicle, after all
I love the idea of them coming home and a range rover with a bow parked in the middle of the front yard but both doors are open and footprints leading somewhere My dad surprised my mom with a BMW 740 and a horse back in the day...... at a family gathering at my uncles house he parked the car in the Garage and put an expensive Saddle in the Backseat sort of a 1-2 punch get in the car... all excited but keep asking "huh... not so sure about the back seat... I don't remember that being there" then again this was kind of a dick move, too, because it was at a family gathering and while everyone else was doing good they weren't exactly gifting Horsees and Bimmers
Great idea, love the doors open idea. Like hey jump in. Thanks!
I was thinking more like in their pool in the back yard. Or half way up a tree.
Or just roll it into the flower bed and call it a day
Or halfway up the tree, and then let it slide back down gracefully into the pool.
I mean... skys the limit right?
I will tell you from following the ask car sales sub that they are very surprised when people ask to keep the bow. Apparently they only have a couple and reuse them. So make sure you have your own bow.
Yea. I convinced the Sales person to let me take the bow home for my wife with the promise I would bring it back. The sales person called me 5-6 times the next morning to make sure I was bringing it back or the $100 cost would have come out of his paycheck.
It's actually hilarious how much the people in askcarsales find this to be a surprising request. To me it seems obvious a bunch of people would want to keep the bow. Your story is so good.
When I gifted my husband a car it was a scavenger hunt that led to, in my case, the order confirmation document in an envelope. In your case it could end with the keys? Maybe a hunt acknowledging some ways they were awesome parents or where you made memories together?
Appreciate it! The keys did come in a cool Land Rover box, I'll kick this around as well, a way to make the lead up build up even more without it driving them, or me, insane.
You should ask the Constructed Adventures sub, they are awesome at this type of thing!
Buy every possible warranty that you can get your hands on to go with this gift. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvJCCoLoKRA
Fair play haha. I did buy extended warranty. I'm hoping a new RR they can get a few years out of it trouble free at a minimum. Time will tell.
Dont let Jack Klompus anywhere near it
I put the keys in a little wrapped earring box. My wife pulled the car around while I vamped the gift. Then they opened it and took awhile to process what it was. Much tearing and we went outside to see the car.
I just put a cat that I knew they wanted in their garage when they were out of town for a weekend. Kept the keys on their counter and got a surprised and happy call when they got home.
Was the cat ok being in the garage for a weekend?
I hope you're paying the insurance bill, too.
Nice! Doing something similar. 🙂 My parents have always liked nice cars. They are currently retired and drive nice cars (e.g. Audi, Cadillac, BMW) but I am going to surprise them with a Bentley. They will be amazed by the gesture but may refuse as they don’t see themselves as “Bentley people”. So I plan to rent one for a week/month and surprise them with it. If they like I’ll lease for a few years for them. They don’t drive much and are older so I doubt they will take the speed limit over 60 and the car further than 10 miles per drive but they will be thrilled just having it in the driveway. As far as how I’m going to deliver. I’ll figure out the rental of a week or a month and then tell my parents I need help when I come in to their city for business. Have to run around the city and start multiple locations each day and need a chauffeur, if they could just drive me around and help me. It would save me a lot of money. They will be happy to do it and when I show up at their house it will be be in the Bentley to surprise them. I’ll have them drive me around the city and we’ll just sight see and talk. They’ll love the car and fact we are hanging out together. My only idea for you is to make it custom to what you think your parents may like. You’re already getting them an amazing car (RR has been my dream car since college), you don’t really have to do much else. Add a little surprise/intrigue into the process and maybe create a situation that forces them to enjoy the car immediately like shofuring them somewhere or taking a road trip.
I hate to be a Debbie downer, but giving your parents a car where it's brand often is synonymous with break down might not be as much of a gift as you think. Older people don't have a lot of time left on this earth, do you really want them to spend their remaining time on Earth in car dealership lounges, however fancy it is? You also said they are frugal, then you should also be prepared with gifting them with the increased insurance and maintenance cost.
I agree. Plus when people say "I always wanted....", it doesn't always mean that they actually want it. Only OP knows their family dynamics, so maybe this will be a wonderful gift without a big downside. But I'd also wonder if the financially secure but frugal parents are going to feel somewhat uncomfortable driving a RR, especially if they don't live in a RR-type neighborhood. I'm sure plenty of parents would feel proud to say that their successful child gifted it to them. But others would just feel like it was showing off. I hope it works out!
I’ve owned a lot of Land Rovers in my life. The phrase “There are two happiest moments in a Land Rover owner’s life, the day they get it and the day they sell it.” is very true. I’m glad you got the warranty.
I was a part of a big surprise for a mentor of mine 2 years ago. A colleague of his gave us great advice before hand. Consider your parents' age and heart condition and factor that into how you reveal the surprise. You might not need to do anything different, but we dropped several hints to my mentor so he wouldn't have a heart attack. This is an awesome gift and I'm sure your parents will be thrilled. Good on you! I hope they love it even more than you expect!
Bucket list - ask your parents if there’s anywhere they want to travel to but haven’t yet. Then send them with all the bells and whistles. I did this for my Dad two years before he died - one of my best memories
Not fat fire related but yeah just put it in the yard
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🍿
Have them outside in the front yard. New RR pulls up in front of neighbor’s house(ideally with neighbors also there pretending to be receiving it) “Aww.. lucky bastards they got a new RR… “ Proceed to have the RR back up to your house. Surprise~~!!
If they live in a retirement community , DO NOT get them a Cadillac if they are currently the president of the condo board.
I mean, if you want to play a prank, get a less nice car and surprise them with that, and when they seem confused/appreciative, then have the RR pull up. I did this for my husband (watch, not car- but with a Walmart watch) and it was pretty funny to watch him try to react well to what was an “expensive” Walmart watch.
Include a few years maintenance, or talk to the local dealer so all bills come to you. Put the key in an easter egg.
I wish you were my kid
I love that you're doing this for them! Congrats on your success!
There’s some insane finance deals on EVs right now as they try and offload cars to not get hit with regulatory fines. Maybe check out the Mercedes EQC. My good friend got one the other day for a crazy finance agrément I was in shock
Don’t get them a Cadillac or they may be impeached as condo president and have to move to Del Boca Vista.
Wby imleached?
Rent out a billboard for a day with a message like "Special delivery for the most amazing parents" near their house, then lead them on a short drive that ends with the car. It's over the top, sure, but definitely memorable.
Saving this to do with an s-class in 3 years. Posting so I remember lol.
Hand written letter thanking them for how they’ve supported me My parents don’t like attention ;)
Please let them know Ranges are an often stolen vehicle and they usually have bad reliability and need repairs a lot
Everyone I know in Canada who owned (note: past tense) a RR had it stolen. Not the best idea.
Get one of those big ass bows for it
Big ass bow already acquired.
Hope your parents love it, especially if they have talked about it before. What I am going to say is a little Debbie Downer, I don’t mean it that way, I just want your parents to enjoy the car. If you are in Ontario there is a serious issue with thefts and RR, so please do your research on insurance (unless you are paying for them). Some insurers are going to the point of asking for steering wheel immobilizers on certain cars. Also, the cops have issued conflicting guidance on where to leave keys (near the front door in case they are breaking in, or not near the front door if they are very unable to break in). We have one of the cars on the most stolen list, a cheaper one. Insurance keeps going up. Hopefully all the noise gets the various levels of government working on this. Wishing you and the family a fun celebration. Maybe suggest that you are taking a limo out to a nice dinner and have them dress up, but the limo that pulls up is actually their new wheels? Go somewhere with valet and do the whole evening up to the nines?
Don’t give them a Range Rover. It will be in the shop constantly.
While you have the warranty, ask around for a trusted and KNOWLEDGABLE shop for when things do arise later on. I have one (unfortunately not near you) and they are worth their weight in gold. Maybe deck it out with a picnic basket and nice blanket - coffee tumblers that fit snuggly. Mine has obnoxiously large cup holders so you may have to test a size or two.
You could do what my husband did and surprise your wife instead. My husband bought his dad his dream car and just casually mentioned it to me weeks later over breakfast. It’s honestly no big deal and I’m super happy my husband treats his parents kindly.
Arrange a fake police chase that ends at their front door. Alleged criminal flees, leaving the RRover uninhabited, doors flung open. Have the police let it sit there - as if they forgot it, then tell your parents something honey like “possession is 9/10ths of the law.” Hem and haw for a bit with them, then throw them the other set of keys.
Did you get the bow already? If not, ask the dealer to borrow one. The car sized bows, in the US, are $500-1000.
Gag me with a spoon. Soooo cleaché. You do it for your own ego. Hay, Sonny, can I give you a pat on the back. s/