Do you think its OK to buy your teen a car?

Question

Or should you make them get it on their own?

Answer 1

I think you should tell them to make their own money at first. once you see they're actually working hard for it, and trying their best, then help pay the rest,, if they're slacking, then i'm not sure they deserve a car,,

Or tell them if they collect, for example half of the amount, u'll pay the other half or soemthing like thrt

Answer 2

In working with college students who were struggling academically, "I have to work" was a common reason given for slumping grades. Since the cost of college is astronomical, I knew that they were not working to put themselves through college - unless they had a job as a brain surgeon. So I'd ask them, "This money you make...where does it go?" The number 1 answer was "my car".

Students can afford gas and basic maintenance for a car based on a 20-hour a week minimum wage job. However, parents often make them pay for their own insurance, or worse yet, make the payments on the car. At an $8 per hour job, the student is lucky to clear $120 after taxes. That makes car payments, insurance, and gas out of range if they are hoping to have anything left for fun. Many of the kids begged so hard for the car, they are afraid to ask for help. So the solution they come up with is to work more hours.

Parents think that making a kid pay for a car teaches responsibility - I disagree. It teaches kids that they should become a slave to their possessions (like most of us adults are...it's 7 pm where I am and I'm still at the office).

My advice: either give the car and have the student "pay for it" by doing work for you or do work around the house or forget about the car for now. I'm not that old, but back in my day your parents *might* give you a car for graduation - college graduation - once you were on the road to a real job.

Answer 3

It depends on the child. If the teenager is responsible, gets good grades, has a good attitude, then I think having a third family car for their use is fine. It shouldn't be a nice, expensive car. Maybe just one of your old cars. But the child should know that it is not "their" car, it is your car you're letting them use as long as they keep being responsible, etc.
If you have a child that is normal, but not all that motivated in school, etc. they should have to at least pay for the insurance and perhaps pay for their own car...or make payments to you. This will make them have to work for what they want and give them some motivation.
If you have an irresponsible kid, bad attitude, really bad grades, I wouldn't even sign for them to get their driver's license. Let them get it themselves when they're 18 and they can buy their own car, insurance, and place to live if it's bad enough.

Answer 4

I think that it is ok if you buy it as long as the teen is doing something, to somehow repay you for it. I don't necessarily mean pay you back monetarily if the teen does not have a job yet, but perhaps pay you back with good grades, good deeds, chores, etc. Teenagers need to learn early on that things they really want in the real world (such as the car) require sacrifice and hard work-which pays off in the end. The last thing you want to do if you truly care about your child's well being, is raise them as spoiled, giving them everything they want without earning it.

Answer 5

We let our kids have our oldest car - and they passed it down to one another. An older but reliable car is a good way for them to appreciate the privilege of driving. (I saw kids getting new and sportier cars and they were having the accidents bc the parents were indulging them and giving them everything and bailing their butts out of trouble).

Our kids paid for all the gas they used and had part-time jobs. We paid for the insurance. Luckily, we had no claims bc of them.

Obviously, they had to stay out of trouble & keep their grades up.

One thing is that we had them drive 6 months by themselves, before they could take friends along for the ride. This way we were more comfortable with their driving skills.

Neither has an accident to this day and they are 21 and 23.

Best tip: MAKE them look both ways before going into the intersection - even if their light is green. This has saved our family about 5 accidents bc of other people running the red lights.

Answer 6

I got my car on my own (it was actually a truck) my parents did take it out on their credit and gave ma 1000 for the down but after that I was responsible enough to make the payment and maintain a job + I had to maintain the vehicle as needed it was brand new and they told me I was on my own if I wanted to drive and have my own vehicle I had to keep it up. It served as a good experience for me by showing me to respect money and how to use it properly. If you want your teen to grow up knowing that it isnt as simple as getting in and turning the key and filling up the tank with daddys credit card make them pay for it. I got help in the begining but it was my responsibility after that. I now am financially secure and have two carpayments home and other bills but have learned a lot with that experience. Let them know what life is really like dont pamper them theyll respect you more later on in life.

Answer 7

You could do it jointly. Have the teen contrubite a portion to the car so they will have the appreciation for the value of the car. If you just give it to them then they might take it forgranted and not take care of the vehicle. It teaches them responsibility in how to handle responsitilities that will come along when they are adults.

Answer 8

Teens should at least pay half of purchase price and all of the gas, insurance and maintenance costs. Teens who have to do this are more likely to take care of and appreciate the car more than if their parents buy it for them.

Answer 9

Well, I think that It depends on allot of things like : There maturity, are they doing well in school?, do they have a job?, are they going to help pay for this car?, Do they take care of the responsibilities at home?

I think that if you can answer yes to all those questions, then your teenager is probably ready for a car, and deserves a car.

Answer 10

My parents bought themselves a new(er) car and gave me the old family car ('82 Dodge Aries wagon - not getting many speeding tickets in that). I could get from point A to B, but if I wanted to look cool, I'd have to pay for my own car.
I chose to save the money and drove that car all through college.

Answer 11

A little from column A, little from column B. Help them get a car, by offering them part of the cost, and helping them to find and evaluate second-hand cars. (In my teens I was offered $1 for every dollar I saved towards a car, up to $2000.) This way, they will have to take responsibility for getting themselves mobile, but they won't feel like you are abandoning them or not looking after their interests.