<p>I would do this for my kids but never for my husband. I allowed my husband to choose from several used cars on the dealers lot for me last fall. I figured it gave him some ownership in the selection, even though he would never drive it. I liked both the color and an insignificant detail on the inside of one particular car. He hated both and got another car. Although, I like the car he choose, I would have preferred the other one. Little things are what drive us crazy. I like the suggestion to take him to dinner and then bring him to the dealer to pick out his own car.</p>
<p>I’m 100% with all the replies encouraging you to NOT do it. It’s an idea filled with risk.</p>
<p>As others have noted, take him out to dinner and give him a bow. Then go to the dealer together.</p>
<p>Talk to a car dealer. Perhaps you can arrange to drive it home… with option to swap for another model/color/whatever before making it final. This would work best at a dealer that sell a variety of brands.</p>
<p>I think spouses often know exactly what the other wants. if you don’t know for sure, don’t do it. But I think most gift cars are dream cars you’d never buy for yourself. Mine was, just the right color, brand and amenities because he knew what I admired. Did the same for our kids who would have gotten no car from me.</p>
<p>My FIL did this for MIL on three occasions that I recall. Each time, he brought the car to our house and parked it in our garage, complete with big red bow. We would invite them for dinner (not out of the ordinary) and raise the garage door upon arrival. MIL was never disappointed.</p>
<p>We got a fully loaded Mini Cooper for D1 at a very good price because someone’s husband made a big mistake. He got his wife a stick shift, surround sound, sun roof mini for her 50th birthday. She took one look at it, “If I haven’t learned to drive a stick shift in 30+ years, what make you think I want to do it now?” And that’s how D1 learned how to drive a stick.</p>
<p>We also knew of someone who got a purple car for his wife because it was her favorite color. The color looked fine on a little square swatch, but when the car showed up (all purple), it was overwhelming. They returned the car.</p>
<p>how about when it is his birthday - you hand him a wrapped gift of a little toy car with a red ribbon on it. when he acts confused inside the little door that opens it can say- something about the car of his choice to be decided by midnight the next day -</p>
<p>Thanks all for the replies. You’ve echoed pretty much what I’ve been thinking all along - H and I discuss all big ticket purchases and I am not completely comfortable with the idea of buying the car by myself. I’d prefer to drag him to the dealer (perhaps with a tentative deal already struck) and have him there for the actual purchase. Not to mention, I hate haggling/bargaining and he is the one that loves doing this!</p>
<p>But here’s the thing - I know H well enough to know what car/model he would like. He will like the car I have in mind - but I also know him well enough that he would too “cheap” in that he wouldn’t buy this particular car himself. Would get into analysis/paralysis mode. So, the idea of a surprise, a done deal is a bit enticing.</p>
<p>oldfort - can you actually return a car? I didn’t know you could do that…</p>
<p>I think you have a 3 day grace period when you buy a car. I can return a lot of things but I don’t know if I could return a car. My H would be mortified. It would not be returned.</p>
<p>
I’ll bet you the dealer would be delighted to work with you on this. They probably have a program for this, and a stock of big bows in the back room. They might even be willing bring out the car with the bow, and do all the paperwork later.</p>
<p>I’m not really trying to rain on the parade but - you’re likely to get gouged on the price by buying it like this - especially with a pre-arrangement, return agreement, showing up at the dealer with the gift car purchase in mind, dealer provided bow, etc. The sales person will be hearing virtual “cha-chings” when he talks to you and does the deal.</p>
<p>You’re much better off getting prices from multiple dealers, preferably via their internet/fleet sales department via email conversations as opposed to face to face, or perhaps through a Costco/AAA/credit union car purchase program, and finding the best deal that way. </p>
<p>Buying it the other way could cost thousands of $$ more.</p>
<p>So do we get to hear “the rest of the story” ?</p>
<p>I love the idea of taking loved one to a meal & than to the dealership. Of course you know your hubby best. One way around it is to rent a car that is like the one you plan to buy your spouse & then take spouse to lunch & spring the plan. You’re not stuck with the car if you get nixed.</p>
<p>I know five people who were recently gifted with LOVELY brand new cars. NONE of them got what they really wanted and would have picked out of themselves, but they were very grateful to the gifter and appreciated the thought. One of them got a Lexus but would have preferred a Toyota or other car & still drives her Toyota more than the new Lexus, since she hasn’t learned how to use all the features yet & is scared to scratch or damage it. Another got a car that is significantly larger than she wanted. The other three all would have gotten something different if they had their druthers, but are grateful (one would actually have preferred the significant cash that was spent on it & kept his old car).</p>
<p>Like others on this thread, I don’t like the idea. </p>
<p>A person’s car is almost an extension of their body, especially if they have to drive a lot. Factors that another person couldn’t appreciate – like the comfort of the driver’s seat for that particular individual – can be important.</p>
<p>Especially the husband is “cheap”(OP’s word and not mine), he won’t buy it for himself.</p>
<p>Came across this thread while doing a search - so here’s an update.</p>
<p>We decided NOT to get the surprise car gift. We bought a model corvette from 1962 instead and gave it to him along with a folder that had the research we had done on convertibles to buy. He loved the idea - went right that very day to a dealer and test drove a couple of cars. Of course, as is typical with him, he then started to “think” about it…and the whole thing ground to a halt. To be fair, we had lots going on at that time - youngest heading to boarding school, illness in the extended family, a trip to Europe for H and S, a change in job for H etc. </p>
<p>Finally, he got back to looking for a car this January (8 months later!). He did find a BMW convertible with manual transmission that he loved - we gave in and let him buy it (it was a used convertible with very low mileage and we really wanted him to buy a new car). He’s been driving it around these past couple of months and thoroughly enjoying it!</p>
<p>As long as it is Tesla model S in red, I would have no problem. Don’t forget the installed 240V charge port in the garage too, please.</p>
<p>Thanks for the update! I think many people like the idea of a new car in the driveway with a bow, but very few actually want the reality with no input.</p>
<p>glad to hear you waited. I thought I knew exactly what convertible I wanted (BMW 328) and was very disappointed when I test drove it. I have long thighs and find many car seats don’t provide enough support, as was the case with my dream car. I looked around and found the Lexus 250IS was a better fit.</p>
<p>It sounds like he’s very happy with it and it all worked out well.</p>
<p>I was a little disappointed he didn’t go out and buy an actual 1962 Corvette though. I think that’s what I might have done.</p>