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15-year-old saves money to buy his own BMW

15-year-old+saves+money+to+buy+his+own+BMW

By Christina Ambrozy ’16 | Staff Writer

Ever since he could remember, Adam Weinkauf’s ’18 world revolved around anything and everything about cars. After collecting model cars, visiting countless auto shows and scouring for the perfect car, he finally holds the keys to his dream car at 15 years old.

Weinkauf’s passion for BMWs was first sparked when his father, David Weinkauf, purchased a 2002 BMW e46 when Adam was 10 years old. Ever since then, Adam primarily focused on BMW’s over any other kind of car.

“I always liked their styling and they are known for handling well and having sporty inline six engines,” said Adam.  “That’s kinda their thing, and I just like the combination.”

In order to save up for this ideal car, Weinkauf sacrificed the majority of his summer and spare time as a busboy for local Italian restaurant, Da Edoardo, he said.  Over the summer Weinkauf worked five times a week, each a six hour shift.

“At the beginning of the summer I got a job at Da Edoardo,” Weinkauf said, “So I started there busing and saved up all the money that I had in tips and paychecks and all that, and it just added all up.”

As he approached his target of $4,000, he was able to realistically compare and contrast different cars in order to determine the best deal.  In effort to save up enough money as soon as possible, Adam said that it was necessary to be disciplined when spending money and to remain focused on solely the car.

“I was thinking that if I had this extra money I could get this car so I thought if I save, a month from now I will be able to get a car this nice so that is what kept me from buying anything small or a cheap car ,” Adam said.  “My passion is into cars and I have my mind set on long term goals.”

Even though at times Adam was overwhelmed about balancing a six hour work shift directly after an eight hour day on the water for junior sailing, he remained dedicated, said his mother, Aimee Weinkauf.

“His perseverance pays off because early when he first started his job he had difficult days managing his sailing schedule and working after being on the water all day,” Aimee said.  “He wanted to quit but his dad encouraged him to stick with it.”

Finally after months of analyzing Craigslist and similar websites that specialize in selling cars, a perfect description of every precise detail of Adam’s ideal car caught his eye on the listing.

“I was on the e28 forum and the car I wanted was a 1988 535IS zinnoberrot in pearl beige and when I saw that title on the listing and it was not too far from here and was located  in Rochester Hills, I thought I had to go look at it,” Weinkauf said.  “So the first day it was posted I called them, came out,  and a couple days after the deal I drove it home.”

Both of Adam’s parents were as surprised as proud.  It took a lot of commitment and determination to save all his money and they did not realize that he could accomplish this major purchase before he is even old enough to receive his license, Aimee said.  

“I was very proud because there was a lot of hard work and sacrifice to achieve this goal, balancing school, sailing, and work,” David said.

Although Adam is unable to receive his license, he has earned his permit and regularly drives his prized possession with an adult.

“My car is stick shift and I just learned it recently,” Adam said. “At first I started off really rough but now I am starting to get it down and I think it is going to be a fun car to drive.”

In the meantime, Adam will be incorporating his own flair to the car by modifying details and adding accessories in effort to personalize his BMW.

“I just got a roof rack on it  and I want to get a fairing, which is a piece of plastic (on the roof rack) that makes it look slick. I might make a homemade fairing out of European license plates which would look pretty cool,” Adam said.  “As for the wheels I want to do BBS RS 212’s, they are a polished silver lip with gold centers which would look pretty cool. Also I would add European headlights which look a little meaner the back one is a little bigger.”

Adam said he will most likely spend his 16th birthday the way he always dreamed, in the Secretary of State filling out the paperwork and smiling for his license, and then legally driving home.

“Once I get my licence, I want to go on a road trip to Grindstone City, Michigan,” Adam said.

Both of Adam’s parents said that this landmark experience has taught him essential life lessons that focus on success and is an strong example that highlights Adam’s dedication and work ethic.

“Persistence is one of Adam’s characteristics that helped him stay focused on buying this car,” Dave said. “Once he was determined on the car that he wanted, he stayed focus, did his research and achieved his goal”

Since cars have always played a major role in Adam’s life, he plans to major in engineering and desires to open his own mechanical shop where he fixes and customizes other’s specialty vehicles, including his own.

“Adam will always be a car enthusiast and I do see him always owning a hobby car,” Aimee said.  “He has an aptitude for design and he is extremely innovative so  he could potentially make a career in engineering or design, but he has also mentioned expanding outside of the realm of cars and into other various products”

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