When have you "Made It"?

I saw this on a different forum a while back and didn't think much about it at the time, but have been giving this some thought as of late.

Starting this week, the wife and I started car shopping for her a new car. She has always wanted to own a Jaguar at least once in her life. As we were discussing down payments/monthly payments, it occured to me that are looking at buying a car that not too long ago was out of our league. It got me looking at other things also. We both have very good jobs, have three beautiful daughters, a home we intend on staying in for a while. At my age (30), I feel I am doing well. What I suppose I just realized is that the 5 years of working full time, and going to school full time, is starting to payoff. I still have alot to do in life, but I feel good of what I have been able to accomplish thus far.

So my question to you is: If you think you have "made it", at what point did you? If you don't think you are quite there yet, what do you have left to do or accomplish? This is all based on YOUR opinion, not of when you think others will feel you have "made it". This has nothing to do with money, materials, it is whatever is important to you.

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Originally Posted by The Korean

So my question to you is: If you think you have "made it", at what point did you? If you don't think you are quite there yet, what do you have left to do or accomplish? This is all based on YOUR opinion, not of when you think others will feel you have "made it". This has nothing to do with money, materials, it is whatever is important to you.

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So what I'm taking away from what you're saying is that it is whatever is important to you, be it money, materials, or whatever. Clearly you're considering the new car as possibly a symbol of accomplishment. Congratulations on that (sincerely).

My take on "making it" is being happy with what I have instead of whining of what I don't. It's not being without wants, but realizing that a hell of a lot of folks have it worse off. This off of watching American Idol charity spot on TV. So yeah, I think I've made it - and more specifically - I've made it for a while. Then again, it's all relative.

I know all of my happiness doesn't come from money, my family and friends are very important. In fact, since the weather is starting to be better, my favorite thing to do on a weekend afternoon is throw a blanket out in my backyard and have a picnic with my daughters.

I do have to admit, I do fall into the trap of status symbols sometimes, my outlook on buying my toys and such is that I work very hard, and I feel I should be rewarded. It is somewhat self-centered I know, but sometimes I can't help myself.

Buy the Jaguar!!:smiley20: I have three of them but they're all old.:smiley36:

Get a used one, you'll save tons of money.:smiley2:

Which model were you looking at? X-type, S-type, XJ8/XJR or XK8?

I thought I really made it May 6, 1998, when I married my wife.

Then, I thought I really made it September 7, 2004, when my son was born.

Everything else is just gravy.

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Originally Posted by CoventryCat86

Buy the Jaguar!!:smiley20: I have three of them but they're all old.:smiley36:

Get a used one, you'll save tons of money.:smiley2:

Which model were you looking at? X-type, S-type, XJ8/XJR or XK8?

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S-type. Baton Rouge has a Jag dealer, but it's selection is small. My work travels takes me to New Orleans, so I am going to check them out in the next few days.

As far as used goes, we actually are looking into maybe going that way, there are some low mile ones that seemed to be good deals.

You say you have three, what models do you have? Since you have three I would think you like them. Any words of advice as to what I am going to get myself into (read: alot of $ to maintain?)

CLICK HERE and go to post number 5 for an explanation of my screen name.:smiley2:

I have XJ6s. A 1986, a 1987 and a 1992 which the factory designates as an "XJ40" since it's pretty much a completely different car from the earlier ones (pre 1988). The XJ40s were pretty much the 1988s through 1994 in the United States. In 1995, they did another complete model change to the X300 (still calling it an "XJ6" in the showroom). In 1998, they changed them again calling them "XJ8" but the factory model designation is X308 indicating they now have an eight cylinder engine. 2004 saw another complete redesign (fatory model code is now X350) with an all aluminum body.

The S-Type is supposed to be discontinued in 2008 and will be replaced by the "C-XF" concept car:

http://images.motortrend.com/roadtes..._side_view.jpg

I've seen a few X-Types around but I don't really think much about those cars. They are small and meant to compete with the 3-series BMWs but again, I would not recommend them.

I think you're on the right track with an S-Type that isn't that old. Repairs aren't any more than any other high end car, no car is "perfect" but the S-Types are pretty reliable. One thing I do know is AVOID the 1998 - 2002 XJ8s since the engines are no good. If you find one that has had a factory replacement then great but those first year Jaguar V8s were very bad engines. Avoid them in used S-types too until the 2003/2004 time frame.

I hope my next Jaguar is a 1996 or 1997 XJ6 Vanden Plas. I generally buy older cars and work on them myself.

Here's my 1986 XJ6:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...JaguarinNE.jpg
The 1987 is identical but is in the process of being painted so it doesn't look anywhere near this at the moment!:smiley36:

My 1992 looks like this but it's blue:
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...Cat86/XJ40.jpg
From 1988 to 1994, they all pretty much looked like this which most people don't find as nice as the older ones or even the newer ones starting in 1995 which look more like the 1987s and older.

Here's a photo of a 1996 XJ6 (or X300). Notice how it looks more like my 1986 than my 1992?
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...Cat86/X300.jpg

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Originally Posted by heftysmokes

I thought I really made it May 6, 1998, when I married my wife.

Then, I thought I really made it September 7, 2004, when my son was born.

Everything else is just gravy.

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Best answer hands down. :smiley20:

Have I made it? Good question man. If "made it" means I'm happy with my life, definitely! I'm in a wonderful marriage to my best friend, we both have great families and we are doing pretty well financially (thanks to my wife not letting me spend money willy-nilly and making us save :smiley2: ). Hopefully children will be on the way soon. All in all, I don't know how much more I could ask for. Well, that's not true, I could always use a few more cigars. ;)

I have already made it. I learned a while back that you need to love every day God gives you, as you only get so many, and some of those may be pretty shitty, so enjoy the hell out of the great ones, the good ones, the ordinairy ones and hell, even some of the not-so-good ones.

So I enjoy time with my wife, I play the hell out of PC games I love, I read constantly, i enjoy the finer foods and drinks of life, I smoke the best cigars I can afford, I seek companionship with people whose company I enjoy, and I make the damn best of every single day.

You never know, you may get hit by a car or shot and paralyzed tomorrow. Then you'll look back and wonder why the hell you never took advantage of the Good Old Days!!!!

So live strong, enjoy life, and ignore the bastard nanny-staters who try to deprive you of your joy!!!

Holy crap that XK is looking sweet!
Congrats on making it to jagU-ar status Korean! :smiley20:

http://www.jaguarusa.com/us/en/xk/ga...33_378x624.jpg

This may seem like a silly answer, but I kind of believe that you never really "make it."

I mean, if I woke up tomorrow and thought to myself, "I've made it," then what would I spend the rest of my life doing? Just maintaining my made status? Or are there different levels of having it made?
There are times when I think I've never been happier, and then I think, what if I'm never happier than this moment. That's a downer to me. I like to think that being completely happy and having it made are unattainable statuses, but ones that we spend the rest of our lives, still striving for.

For me, I guess I'll know I've made it when I die, and I know I can do nothing more with my life.

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Originally Posted by supergirl

This may seem like a silly answer, but I kind of believe that you never really "make it."

I mean, if I woke up tomorrow and thought to myself, "I've made it," then what would I spend the rest of my life doing? Just maintaining my made status? Or are there different levels of having it made?
There are times when I think I've never been happier, and then I think, what if I'm never happier than this moment. That's a downer to me. I like to think that being completely happy and having it made are unattainable statuses, but ones that we spend the rest of our lives, still striving for.

For me, I guess I'll know I've made it when I die, and I know I can do nothing more with my life.

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I can agree that you should always seek more in life. It makes perfect sense to always strive for more, or seek more enjoyment out of every day. Otherwise, like you said, what's the point?
It's a circle of life, sometimes you will feel on top of the world, other times, life will seem to be getting the better of you. IMHO it all depends on how you handle each, don't get too far ahead of yourself, and don't let yourself get stuck in the mud.
As far as what does "made it" mean? Its up to each person in my opinion. For me, I have reached many of my goals for this point in my life. If I went back 5-7 years ago, and thought of a realistic picture of where I would like to be today, I would say I have met most points, and even exceeded a couple. I have a great family, at a point in my career where I am comfortable and successful, and see where I can be in the future with more hardwork. Like all of us, I have many more things to do in life, so I have many more goals to achieve. Life is a journey, not a destination.....

Dunno if you and your wife got the car yet, but go for the S-Type R.

http://skyline-motorcars.ebizautos.c...r-1663956.html

I'm happy for you!

I remember when I first made it. I was 15, she was a cute red-head with big ol titties... Man did I ever love that minute of my life:smiley36:

oh well, back to work.

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Originally Posted by nhcigarfan

I remember when I first made it. I was 15, she was a cute red-head with big ol titties... Man did I ever love that minute of my life:smiley36:

oh well, back to work.

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LMFAO!!!

Classic!:smiley20:

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Originally Posted by mauied1101

Best answer hands down. :smiley20:

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Ditto!:smiley27:

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Originally Posted by FunkyCold5

Dunno if you and your wife got the car yet, but go for the S-Type R.

http://skyline-motorcars.ebizautos.c...r-1663956.html

I'm happy for you!

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Still shopping, have a work trip planned to Mobile, AL next Friday, they have black one there now, hopefully it will still be there next week.

That S-Type R is sweet. Almost worth the trip to VA.

Yeah, the dealership is actually pretty good AND the prices are freakin amazing. Most of the cars in the lot are from leases. PLUS, the lifetime warranty is an added bonus.

If you are set for a Jaguar and getting a used one, don't pay the same or higher for a lower end, you can't beat V8 power that's supercharged! Plus, when they normally retail in the mid-30s, you can't go wrong on this deal. There's another one in VA a few miles down from this dealership (black 2005 s-type R) that's selling in the low $30k without the Nav. Plus, the mileage is in par for that old of a car.

Good luck with your search. The thing is, print the page out and when you shop around in your area, see if they can match. If they won't, walk out and say I'll have to go to this dealer. AND if they stop you before you get out the door, you can work your magic. They may be able to lower the price, and you just calculate the difference from having to fly to VA and buying this car and driving back. How much is your time worth, and most likely you'll get the price you are happy with.

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Originally Posted by The Korean

Still shopping, have a work trip planned to Mobile, AL next Friday, they have black one there now, hopefully it will still be there next week.

That S-Type R is sweet. Almost worth the trip to VA.

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oops, blank.

After I have all the toys I want, and dont have to work another fucking day in my life and can play, then I have made it. So, 37 years and 10 months to go till I make it!

Well,

to be honest with you, in the usual sense i have made it... age 27, great job, good pay, beautiful wife, gorgeous car, great friends, excellent cigars, good health etc etc... but still

not having a baby yet (medical assistance needed) makes some of those things taste blunt...

Anyhow, back to the matter at hand...

I do not live my life watching back on my few accomplishments. I truly believe, that the way to happiness and peace of mind can be found in the present moment.

In other words: i have not made it, i am making it.

please feel free to comment and reply...

miker

Actually, right now I feel I've made it. I'm finishing school while the wife works, so I get all the laziness fun of college (well, not all of it), but without the whole living on ramen noodles thing. It's a good life.

Unfortunately, the wife isn't planning on supporting my lazy butt forever, so I'm gonna need a job eventually.

Just to make a point clear. I am not asking if or when do you realize that you could want no more in life. Life, in my opinion doesn't stop, to be happy, successful, you must never quit, or be completely satisfied.

However, for me (and maybe me only), years ago, I visualized where I would like to be at different points of my life. More recently I stopped and took a look of where I am right now, and I have reached many of the goals I wanted to at this point (Relationship, Family, Job, House). I also realized there were somethings I haven't accomplished, which for me only makes me drive harder to get them and others.

For one of the first times I am really happy of where I am, I have always been happy with my life, but alot of the times before, I felt something missing, but didn't every really know what it was. I am not in a constant battle between different parts of my life (work, family, school, social) they all blend together. I have a job, where I can take a long lunch, pick up something for me (cigar) something for my wife (wine) and come home and watch the children play and amaze me with the simplest things. Conversations I have had in the past week with my wife range from real estate investments to where to find a daquiri machine for our annual crawfish boil (where each year there are more guests and more beer). Life if Grand!

Am I where I want to be in 10 years? Hell No! Not even close, I have more money to earn, more time with my family and of course more finer things in life to explore.

This is sort of like a ranting, and it's not intended to be. Sorry if it appears to be

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Originally Posted by eriksson20

Well,

to be honest with you, in the usual sense i have made it... age 27, great job, good pay, beautiful wife, gorgeous car, great friends, excellent cigars, good health etc etc... but still

not having a baby yet (medical assistance needed) makes some of those things taste blunt...

Anyhow, back to the matter at hand...

I do not live my life watching back on my few accomplishments. I truly believe, that the way to happiness and peace of mind can be found in the present moment.

In other words: i have not made it, i am making it.

please feel free to comment and reply...

miker

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Here here!!! You go it right on the money there, mucho applause!!!

I've been thinking a lot about this question lately. My BF was shot in the line of duty back in January, and I think he'd have a great answer for this... I'm going to have to ask him.

I like hefty's response.

The following picture was taken by me just a few hours after my son was born. It's one of my favorite pictures and most memorable moments in my life. That's when I knew I had made it.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/WOXOF/hands.jpg

I look forward to making it again. My wife and I practice weekly.

Beautiful photo!

Yes that is one awesome pic.


An update on something that was talked about earlier in this thread.

After 4 hours of going back and forth with sales, I came home and gave my wife the keys to her mother's day present

2004 4.2 liter V-8 S-type. Pics will come sometime this weekend. The drive back was 3 hours of pure bliss.

Basc dealership picture. May get some better pics today. I will say one thing, I have many cars that didn't lack power, but this thing will flat shit and get.

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Originally Posted by WOXOF

I like hefty's response.

The following picture was taken by me just a few hours after my son was born. It's one of my favorite pictures and most memorable moments in my life. That's when I knew I had made it.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/WOXOF/hands.jpg

I look forward to making it again. My wife and I practice weekly.

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I took care or the previously posted baby issue, and am now waiting for the similar moment you show in that pic. today i posted a thread saying that my wie told me today she is pregnant... how many more times can you feel you have made it???? WOW

miker

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Originally Posted by The Korean

Basc dealership picture. May get some better pics today. I will say one thing, I have many cars that didn't lack power, but this thing will flat shit and get.

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Congrats dude, thats a sweet ride. Can you smoke in it? :smiley36:

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Originally Posted by eriksson20

I took care or the previously posted baby issue, and am now waiting for the similar moment you show in that pic. today i posted a thread saying that my wie told me today she is pregnant... how many more times can you feel you have made it???? WOW

miker

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Congratulations! Get ready for that "I've made it" feeling quite often. Just to name a few...

First time your hear your babies heartbeat...
Ultrasound...
Birth...
First time you touch your child...
Seeing your wife holding your child for the first time...
and many many more.

First off WOXOXO, that's a picture I would expect in an art gallery blown up 5 feet by 5 feet. Conveys a whole lot and is best viewed without an introduction and while running the rat race mentally. Catches you offguard and reminds you of whats important. A big :smiley20:

Secondly, the Korean... Why not the XK!!! :smiley6:

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Originally Posted by WOXOF

snip...
I look forward to making it again. My wife and I practice weekly.

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Dude, that's one special picture, in so may ways!!!!:smiley20::smiley20:

As for practicing weekly, how long you've been married?? We've got 28 years in next month and I can't remember the last time we practiced!!!!!!!!!!:smiley8::smiley4:

lol A few years ago I was having absolutely cruel headaches for a week that wouldn't go away. My dad (a doctor) asked if they intensified when I had an orgasm. I looked at the wife and said "I don't know, I don't think I had the headache 3 months ago". Headache went away, and suddenly had this sharp pain in my right arm!!!!:smiley36::smiley36:

i feel a lil young in this thread but i find it so inspriing. it feels like 'making it' is acheiving those long term goals that you set along your life..the harder the better. i myself have had a lil glimpse of that with my amazing girlfriend, i never thought i would find love. 'success is nothing without someone to share it with'. i can only imagine what its gona feel like to get married, have a baby, buy that nice toy just because you can...great thread! i have so much to work for and look forward to...

-victor

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Originally Posted by HersheyWalker

First off WOXOXO, that's a picture I would expect in an art gallery blown up 5 feet by 5 feet. Conveys a whole lot and is best viewed without an introduction and while running the rat race mentally. Catches you offguard and reminds you of whats important. A big :smiley20:

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Thanks, that's not a bad idea.

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Originally Posted by Newfie

Dude, that's one special picture, in so may ways!!!!:smiley20::smiley20:

As for practicing weekly, how long you've been married?? We've got 28 years in next month and I can't remember the last time we practiced!!!!!!!!!!:smiley8::smiley4:

lol A few years ago I was having absolutely cruel headaches for a week that wouldn't go away. My dad (a doctor) asked if they intensified when I had an orgasm. I looked at the wife and said "I don't know, I don't think I had the headache 3 months ago". Headache went away, and suddenly had this sharp pain in my right arm!!!!:smiley36::smiley36:

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LMAO, we've been married for 7 years.