Car lot drives young owner to succeed by Steve Lamb, Outpost Contributors In this package: Gen X embraces self-reliance Generation E Accident prompts start up Overachiever makes good Internet perfect fit for Xer   Tommy Green is a a 20-year-old used car salesman from Las Vegas. Unlike some of his peers who found success in high-tech businesses, Green found a driving urge to own a business that fed his love of cars. At the age of 18, Green started a used car lot while he was still in high school in September 1994. He got the idea to start Tommy Green Motors after he bought a Ford Mustang to fix up, then sold it for a hefty profit. His father then loaned him the money to start his car lot. Green is now engaged and owns his own home in Green Valley, Nev. He is getting ready to run the family's construction business when his father retires. Green sees a lot of successful and motivated peers in his generation. "I don't agree at all with the stereotypes of Generation X," Green said. "Most all of my friends are either already successful in a career or going to school." He also hired a bunch of his friends to help him run his used car dealership. You'd think the place would be a zoo with all of the young Generation Xers running the joint, but in fact, it runs like any other respectable used car dealership. When you walk into the place you become overwhelmed at how professional it looks. There are pictures of sports cars all over the place, and all of the employees are at their desks or in the lot doing their jobs. It's enough to make a grown Generation Xer cry. "Tommy has always been a great inspiration to all of his friends through junior high and high school," Green's employee and friend, Joey Pinaro, said. "All of the things he has already done in his life kind of make you feel like you really are a 'slacker.'"   copyright 6/1/97 Nevada Outpost http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost   Related sites: American Auto Car Sales And Service.