<p>You know those Lexus commercials where they gift a car with a big red bow? Well, S is convinced we need to do that for H’s birthday this year. We are planning on getting him a car, but I hadn’t thought about it being a complete surprise and a “done” deal. Both S and D want to do that.</p>
<p>Anyone done this before? Any tips? I am thinking I need to buy the car, go to the RMV and register it, get the insurance done and then finally pick up the car. But can I register the car in my husband’s name without having him there to sign for it? Or do I need to add both names on the registration? Any other gotchas? I still need to figure out how I can get the money out of the account without him noticing it :)</p>
<p>The price of a car is a big ticket item. There’s no way I’d spend that amount of money without discussing it with my spouse first. At a minimum I’d discuss it in a ‘what if’ or ‘generic’ way to be certain the spouse concurs with spending that amount of money.</p>
<p>A car is a pretty personal item as far as desire/taste goes. Maybe you already know exactly what he’d want but if not you run the risk of getting him something he’s not that interested in or excited about - ex: getting him a Miata instead of a Boxster, or an Exploder instead of an MDX, a 4 door sedan rather than a 2 door sports coupe, a hardtop instead of a convertible, a vehicle with one of today’s plain generic gray/silver colors rather than a real color, etc. </p>
<p>A car isn’t something you can simply return to the store if it’s not right and it’s expensive enough (for most people - except maybe the ones those Lexus commercials are targeting) that you want to get it right.</p>
<p>Although it doesn’t have the pizzazz of the real thing, you can consider getting him a picture (or model) of the car and then giving him a yea/nay chance on it before committing to buying it.</p>
<p>I was the recipient of a car wrapped in a bow. The dealer drove up, put the bow on in the driveway and then rang the bell with the keys and flowers.</p>
<p>Take him out for a nice birthday lunch. Towards the end of the lunch, tell him you’re taking him somewhere special, but don’t tell him where. Drive to a dealership. When you arrive, tell him to pick out any “present” he wants.</p>
<p>I’m kinda in the GladGradDad camp. It’s a really big, very personal purchase. </p>
<p>But then again if I put a big bow on a Porsche 911 turbo, black and we could afford it, my H wouldn’t be unhappy. It’s the car he has always salivated for. If its a purchase like this, a car you know he would love, then go for it.</p>
<p>Unless you know exactly what your husband wants for a car, I would NOT do this. </p>
<p>We have been looking at cars for a while. My husband knows EXACTLY what I want so he would be able to buy it as a surprise delivery…but the car itself wouldn’t be much of a surprise (I’ve been pretty clear on what I want).</p>
<p>I agree…take your husband for a special lunch and then to the car dealership.</p>
<p>My husband would have some sort of breakdown if I “surprised” him with a car. I can’t fathom buying him a car without his input. Besides wouldn’t picking it out himself be part of the fun?</p>
<p>My FIL has done this on numerous occasions for my MIL. It works for them. They can afford it.
My BIL surprised my S with a used Miata convertible. Someone he worked with was leaving the country and selling it cheap. She was thrilled but it was not a big ticket item.
I would not do it for my H. You know your H best.</p>
<p>My husband would be over the moon if we did this for him. He hates to shop. He hates to bargain. And he despises waiting around and listening to the gibberish at the dealership.</p>
<p>He isn’t picky about cars. D’s boyfriend is a car maven so we would be fine there. (Although he has very expensive taste and the wallet to match.) And both daughters know options and I know what my husband wants.</p>
<p>Sorry, but I would hate someone picking out a car for me. It’s a terrible idea. Or is this a car he already has picked out, and you’re just making the last push? What if he’s secretly yearning for a specific model, like a mid-life crisis car. He will be so disappointed.</p>
<p>What is it with the Miata gifts? Mine came with the big red bow on top–bigger than the car. BUT DH knew what I wanted as far as color and options. He upgraded far ahead of anything I would have agreed to if I had been there so I love it and would never have the 6 disc CD player if I’d been there in person.</p>
<p>It depends on the person who is receiving the gift and how much control they need to have.</p>
<p>Here is how it works in our family: My wife tells me exactly what she wants, color, options (insists on leather + heated seats), then I buy it, SURPRISE! No, but everybody is happy! :D</p>
<p>My S was surprised with a car last summer. My ex came into some money, and decided to blow it on a 30k sportscar for S. </p>
<p>Besides the fact that the ex is not contributing to college costs, this car is my exes dream car - but not what S would have chosen for himself. Seats 2, no room for his ski stuff or his friends, would have preferred one of those boxy cars that gets good gas milage. Doesn’t like the color. I am not happy because it’s rear wheel drive - and S goes to a rural New England college.</p>
<p>Additionally, I was not in favor of S having a car at school. He didnt have one his first year, and sure enough, it was a big distraction his second year. Plus S is conflicted and feels guilty since it was such an extravagant gift but not what he would have chosen for himself.</p>
<p>I got a surprise car with a bow from my parents when I graduated from law school. I was thrilled.</p>
<p>IF you know what your H wants, I’d do it in a minute. It really is special. (My H knows he can surprise me with a Bentley convertible anytime he wants. Somehow I doubt it will ever happen!)</p>
<p>I just wanted to add this though - regardless of how you plan to go about it, this is a super nice gift you’re planning for your H - he’s lucky!</p>