The Maserati
My 27-yr old son shot me a text yesterday with a link to a 2016 Maserati Ghibli S with 69,000 miles and the following note:
"What are your thoughts on this deal?"
The text was notable for two reasons: 1) he was asking me for advice, and 2) he was asking me for advice about cars. So this would bring the total number of times he's asked me for advice to approximately three times (slight exaggeration), and the total number of times he's expressed interest in owning a car to approximately one time (no exaggeration).
Anyway, if you have teenagers or adult children, you're thrilled when they ask you for your opinion about anything. Thrilled. And as a car guy, I was also mildly panicked that he was seriously considering this particular purchase.
So I called him and said, "Son, there are three reasons why I don't think you should pursue this: 1) it's a Maserati, 2) it's an old Maserati, and 3) it's a Maserati." He laughed and said he thought that was probably the case, and then we had a delightful conversation about possible alternatives. Our call only lasted five or ten minutes, but it made me happy.
Why? Well, apart from having the opportunity to chat with my son, whether you're a parent, a mentor, a friend, or a colleague, it's always nice to be asked your opinion, and it's even nicer when you feel you bring real value to the discussion.
My apologies (and condolences) to those of you with Maseratis, especially old Maseratis ;)