2006-08-29 06:25:39 · 26 answers · asked by snnfsnnf 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Yes. I won't be buying either of my kids a car. They can use a family car if they are responsible and pay for the gas. But when they get ready to move out they buy their own. Or if they want one sooner.
I'm mean...I won't be paying for their college either.
2006-08-29 06:31:46 · answer #1 · answered by freaking_morons_ugh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do agree that at 17 one should be expected to pay for his/her own car. There is nothing wrong with the parents offering to help out a little seeing as it is a fairly large purchase and in order for a young adult to build credit it may be a good idea to cosign on a loan for them (yes I know that you have to be 18 to take out a loan but at 17 the parent can put it in their name and then at 18 sign it over and put the loan in the childs name). I think that is a great way to teach a young adult about credit and build good credit at the same time. My parents really did me a huge favor by doing this for me. My father gave me $500 to put towards my down payment, I came up with the rest and he cosigned on a car loan with me. I was expected to make the monthly payments, which I did on time and everything. I never missed a payment, and I did it all on my own. When I applied for a loan for my second car it helped me tremendously because my credit showed that I had had a car loan previously and because I never made a late payment and I paid it off before the end of the loan it got me a very good interest rate for a new loan. If you are the 17 year old writing this question, I know you're probably bummed because your parents are making you pay for your own car but, look at it this way, if you buy your own car your parents will never be able to threaten you with taking your keys away or telling you that you can't drive because you paid for the car and it's yours, they can't tell you that you can't drive your own car right? Let me tell you, it's a very liberating experience to be able to tell your parents that they can't take your keys away because you bought the damn car and you can drive it whenever you want! (then you have to storm out of the room and slam the door behind you while saying, "peace! I'm going for a drive!")
If this is the parent asking this question, stop feeling bad that you're making your child buy his/her own car. I know he/she is probably bit.ching and complaining about how so-and-so's parents are buying him a car. Don't buy into it, stick to your guns, there's nothing wrong with offering help but a majority of the car shold be paid for by your child. Oh, and you know that whole slamming the door thing? Expect it because it WILL happen, I know I'm not the only rotten teenager that used that one.
2006-08-29 13:51:10 · answer #2 · answered by sarahsmiles1222 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that depends on how many after school activities a kid has, how responsible the kid is, etc.
If your 17 yr old participates in sports, clubs and many out of school activies as well as making good grades in school, then no, I do not think so. He/she has many other things to do with his/her time at the moment, and has also shown responsibility towards the future in their actions.
However, if your child has plenty of time on his hands and school does not challenege him that much, then yes, I would say that he should definitely HELP pay for his car.
When I was 16 and wanted a car, my parents didnt make me pay for anything, and I didnt know anyone whose parents did make the kid pay for their car. But this is not normally the real world...therefore, I think, even tho I didnt, if I had a kid I would make them work to pay for some of their car.
However, I do not think a kid should have to pay for the whole car (unless the parents cannot afford it obviously). I think this because if he pays for the car, insurance, gas, etc than you do not have anything to do with this car. You cannot take it away (fairly, at least) because you have no control over this car.
This is personal, I feel, for each set of parents and each type of kid. Some kids NEED to learn responsibilty and need to learn that if you want something in life...you need to earn it. For some kids, they have already shown responsibility and work hard in everything they do in life, and don't have to pay for their car.
Ask yourself, has my child almost always respected me and treated the family with kindness? Has he/she always given their best in school? Have they always participated in some kind of sport? I think it basically comes down to, should I teach my child responsibility or has he/she already proven they are responsible?
Parents on here DO NOT know your child and are making judgements based on their own children, financial status and experiences. This is a personal choice, based on personal reasons and experiences.
2006-08-29 13:40:54 · answer #3 · answered by rachael b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A person that is 17 yrs should pay for their car because that will teach them responsibility for when they get into adulthood. I also think that adults should do the same if possible. At least when the 17 yr old gets it paid they can say that they did not ask anyone for their help.
2006-08-29 13:35:50 · answer #4 · answered by dog2b2000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well if they have there own way of making money yes i do believe that they should but a little bit of help from the parent would not hurt. I mean they are only 17 and how much can a 17 really make
2006-08-29 13:32:17 · answer #5 · answered by yaya t 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yup. If you are old enough to get a driver's license, you are old enough to get a job. Therefore you can pay for your own car, gas and insurance. Your parents are not required to buy you everything you want. You should learn how to earn your own things - not only will it better prepare you for reality, and teach you how to be responsible with money - you will appreciate the things you do have because of how hard you worked for them.
2006-08-29 13:32:41 · answer #6 · answered by KB 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure, I had to pay for my own. I was mad about it at the time, but looking back I'm glad my parents made me pay for it. I also had to pay for any service work for it. It gives you a better respect for your vehicle and you don't just take it for granted. Many of my friends that had cars bought for them ended up ruining them because they didn't care about the vehicle as much...they knew mom and dad would just fix it or buy them another. Not saying all kids will be that way, but the majority are.
2006-08-29 13:31:22 · answer #7 · answered by mtngrl7500 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since I was 15 I have paid for everything, clothes, car, insurance, college, etc. My parents provided a roof and meals. I have since made a career of the military,attended college and earned three degrees (AA BA, MBA), and a serious sense of what it takes to make it in this world. I have imparted the same values to my two oldest children who have become successful in their own careers. My youngest was coddled by his mother and give everything and is a low achieving scam artist who expects everyone to take care of him even though he is 30 years old. Exactly why do immigrants come here and excel in our culture? Because we have a bunch of cry babies that want everything given to them without putting out anything but the minimum of effort.
2006-08-29 13:39:08 · answer #8 · answered by yes_its_me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that is the biggest part of a the responsibility to have a car, learning we have to pay for and even more importantly maintain our cars. Insurance, maintenance, and safety issues and behavior. This age teens still like to goof around and can get distracted, know they have to pay for their vehicle makes them more carefully.
2006-08-29 13:39:26 · answer #9 · answered by micki_g 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes a car is a privilege, not a necessity. If you believe you need this car, then get a job, save, then buy one and continue working to pay for gas, oil, tires, insurance, smog, license fees and registration fees every year... Enjoy
2006-08-29 13:29:30 · answer #10 · answered by just_jennjenn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋