Would You Buy Your High School Teen A Car?
@gtargirl (5376)
United States
October 9, 2008 7:58pm CST
I was sitting in the school stadium parking lot where students parked their cars because the official student parking lot was filled. I was waiting for my 16-year-old and started taking note of the cars these students were driving; Tundras, Lexus, Scions, Jeeps, and I even watched two girls get into their two-door red convertible sports car ( a Miatta, I believe). Only a few cars older than 2005. No way can these students afford these cars even if they had jobs, let alone the insurance.
So I'm thinking, their parents put up the money. Thus the question, would you buy your teenage sons and daughters a brand new car?
4 people like this
30 responses
@sugarplum9084 (1771)
• United States
10 Oct 08
I just have an old Blazer that I got myself, I am 18 and I work very hard for the things I have, and you bet I would not abuse the things I work hard for. When I have children, or more so if I have them, I will not buy them much, I want them to know what the value of money and work is, I want them to have to struggle and appreciate what they have, not become accustomed to getting everything and then when they get out in the real world they won't have much life experience thus I would be having to help them out when they should learn things themselves. I want my children to be independent as I am and I want them to start as soon as they can. Happy mylotting and have a great day or night.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
10 Oct 08
I totally agree with you. Both my kids work (even my 16 year old) and will buy their own cars. It seems that life is more appreciated that way. You're a very impressive young lady, sugarplum.
@animeniak (425)
• United States
10 Oct 08
I agree with you too. I really have no idea why these people just want bunch of items that are at a luxurious level. I had to drive a brand new car; my family isn't that rich and personally, I HATE (and yes I mean it) having bunch of luxurious items, like brand new car with popular brand like lexus, lincoln, jaguar, or whatever's out there. I do need a car, and if I was to go to the dealer and choose whatever car I want to drive, I would rather just be happy with a car that is pretty durable and I really don't give a rat's @$$ how old it is or what brand it is made from; as long as I can roll that thing down the road without too much problem. I will have children someday, and I will teach them to not to be greedy with luxurious items or money, because personally I hate that, and that just makes them to become more and more greedy, and they would never learn to value other things that they will need in the future. In the end, they will probably not know how to distinguish between need and want. I respect your comment to this discussion, and have a great week (or weekend)
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
10 Oct 08
Ido not even drive a brand new car. In fact, the newest I have ever had is a '96. My kids had to share with the rest of the family, and drive whatever was available. It did not hurt them a bit, and they are not maladjusted or anything. Pretty frugal, in fact. They understood the reasoning behind having older cars, and they would not have to afford high dollar insurance that way.
1 person likes this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
10 Oct 08
Me too. I drive a 1997 RAV 4. It's paid off and I appreciate that little thing a whole lot. I also see both my kids understand the value of such things as paying a lower insurance. Thanks Gerty for dropping by, hope you're having a wonderful evening.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
4 Nov 08
I'm with you all the way, Calais. Insurance, of course, is pretty expensive for teens. But I think I will let my kids save up to buy their own cars. Most people here seem to agree.
@Buchi_bulla (8298)
• India
2 Nov 08
If I am confident that my teen aged children are good drivers and have a mind control not to go in for high speed and the traffic rules allow them to have a driving license, then I will buy a car for them. Driving a car is a teen age dream and why to deprive our children, if we can afford for it?
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
4 Nov 08
I guess it's about the statistics. Too many teen accidents. And from what I was observing in the parking lot, teens have a need to show speed. If I could afford to buy a car for my kid, I'm just not sure I would buy a $20,000 plus car. But, that's just me.
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
10 Oct 08
No way I would buy my teenager a car like that, even if I could afford it. I will do the same thing my parents did. They told me if I wanted a car I needed to get a job. So I got a job, they drove me to work while I saved money. Then they paid for part of the car, and I paid for part, then I was responsible for paying the insurance and for gas.
Handing it over teaches children that they don't have to work for what they want, and it does nothing to teach them the value of money. Having to pay for it themselves teaches them to save, budget and prioritize spending. It teaches them that if they want something, they have to work for it. It teaches them that not everything comes easy, and to be more discriminating in deciding what is a 'want' and what is a 'need.'
@animeniak (425)
• United States
10 Oct 08
hey, I respect the comment you made with "need" and "want". I do admit that the cars are need for the adults who have jobs, or it will be a need later in the future. With that being said, I truly think that the luxurious cars are really want, because you can always get the cheaper cars that are durable and you can roll them down the road without trouble.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
11 Oct 08
there is no way i will do that even though i have lots of money... it only spoiled them and teach them not to fight for the things that they want... i only own a new car in october 2005 after i got engaged with my hubby-to-be and plan to get married... even then, i purchase it through a loan and until now it is not finished yet... so i don't think it is the right thing to do to buy a luxurious brand new car for teenagers... take care and have a nice day...
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
11 Oct 08
I wouldn't buy my kid a new car unless there was a really good reason for them not to have a used one. I'm an advocate of mass transit and would want my kids to use it as well. These flashy cars make kids drive fast and badly to show off for friends.
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
10 Oct 08
I would not buy a brand new car for a teen at all. A new car the cost is to high and on top of it you have to have money for the insurance and tags.The kids that drive new cars there parents have to be rich.
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
10 Oct 08
I don't even own anything anywhere close to that new. My kids definently won't get one unless they paid for it themselves. They're probably going to be stuck with the hand me downs if they get one at all.
I have to wonder just how many of those kids families can actually afford the cars or if they've just gone even further into debt to live beyond their means.
@arkaf61 (10881)
• Canada
14 Oct 08
If they needed it and i could, I probably would but they would have to contribute.
Unfortunately I really can't so that's beside the point LOL
My daughter's high school is quite far - over an hour by bus and subway - and she really needed a car to go from school to work on time. But I'm afraid that I could only help her with the down payment. The rest is all hers. I might help her with insurance in a month where she has exams and can't work as many hours, but that's about it.
She got a brand new car but it was a good price and great terms.It's a small Nissan versa that is really nice for saving on gas. Her insurance is not too high because it's on ours, but she has to pay it.
Now about your post, I have seen the same scenario often. I can tell you one thing. Even if I could afford it, I would not buy my high school kids an expensive car. There is no reason to do so. IF a car is needed, fine. But a small not too expensive car.
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
10 Oct 08
Dear friend,
I would provided they could handle it well and moreover if they are well behaved. Moreover if they could drive better and use the car better I hope more than that if I have enough cash to buy a car for them. The only thing I care to buy a care to teen is that they should drive it well with obeying those traffic rules and behaving well.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
10 Oct 08
No, not a brand new one even if I did have the money..I think a child should learn to buy things themsleves..
Now if my child didn't have all the money, I would for a gift, put a down payment, (On a used one, not new) and then all they have to do is make monthly payments, that way it is a gift, but also something they actually paid for and they feel good about it..
@lynnemg (4529)
• United States
10 Oct 08
I would NOT buy my child a new car, nor would I buy them an older car. I may help them to buy one, but they would have to have at least half of the money themselves. I think that children of any age appreciate things more if they have to pay for them or earn them, themselves.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
10 Oct 08
No.
My parents got me a car when I was a teen. It was an old car that my dad fixed up. In exchange for it and for the insurance I worked for my dad during the summers and on the occasional day after school. I also ran errands for my mom and drove my sisters places.
Occasionally I would drive my dad's car to school. This was a nicer car. Maybe some of these kids were driving their mom's or their dad's cars?
Also, I have clients who are quite wealthy. They've bought their kids nice cars, but to them this is just normal - they picked cars with the best safety rating.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
10 Oct 08
I never owned a car in my life, I could never afford one, and if I could not afford one for myself I certainly would not buy one for my child.
then I would not buy a car for a teen anyway, if they are old enough to drive they are old enough to buy their own car.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
10 Oct 08
HECK NO!
I didnt and I still to this day wouldnt
If they wanted a car they worked for it and the Insurance!
If they dont pay for it they really dont care all that much of taking care of it.
Or how dast they drive or what could happen to them if getting into a wreck!
lots of teens here have got killed close to the school some were hurrying back to classes all 7 in the car was killed . So I dont think they are respnsible enough to own one!
@littleone3 (2063)
•
10 Oct 08
No i would not buy them a brand new car. Also if they were working i would expect them to pay for the upkeep of the car.
Even if i could afford a new car, i would still buy them an small older car and that would only be if they could prove that they are going to be sensible drivers.
Its not a problem i have at the moment as my 17 year old has no interest in driving and my 15 year old wants to learn to ride a motorbike when he is old enough.
@mimico (3617)
• Philippines
10 Oct 08
Well if I had the money then I'd definitely buy my teen a car! But I wouldn't get him or her something fancy. I'll give him something that's just very ordinary for convenience's sake. And then if he or she is very responsible then I'll give him or her a better model for graduation. I think a car should be a graduation gift though. That way it is more deserved and kids are more mature already.
@hotsummer (13835)
• Philippines
10 Oct 08
i don't think that it is advisable for teens to have their own vehicles. but as we know there are lots of teenagers driving an automobiles. and there are many accidents involving teenagers driving automobiles. teens are very reckless. but for the money spent on driving the cars, i think it will depend on their parnets. there is nothing wrong for parents to spend a lot of money for somethings like a car but they should be sure that they children or teens are responsible enough for their safety. if not, they should not trust them to drive alone or have them personal driver instead. parents feel happy if they are able to reward or give them their children luxury in life.
