Should you give a 17 year old cash for a....?

Question

car or let him earn it on his own, I have set rules for him about what to do and what not to do. Sometime he does'nt follow them, he is in the 11th grade, and be in 12th this year in the fall. do you think I should give him money for a car, he work part-time but sometimes calls in sick when he tired.

Answer 1

earn it on his own. or if he's handy give him a fixer-upper that he can work on.

Answer 2

If you do, at least make him pay the insurance, working part time he probably doesnt make much and will not have the money for one anytime soon. Make him keep up on maintenance, maybe take a class on it or something. As long as he keeps his grades up, keeps working, pays for maintenance and insurance, and behaves himself, I see nothing wrong with helping him out. (But he needs to quit calling off when he's tired, if we all did that, none of us would have a job!) Keep it in your name, not his and let him know it is a privilage, not a right, and if he screws up take the keys. ( I lost my keys a couple times!) Teach him the dangers of DWD (driving while distracted) Cell phones, CD players and too many passengers can be deadly for new drivers.

I would not buy him a new car though, my mom gave me a $3000 price limit ( that was 15 years ago) and took me to a reputable used car lot. I had that little VW GTI for about 4 years and loved it! Good luck!

Answer 3

Let him earn money for his own car. Besides a minor can't enter into a contract so he can't purchase a car until he is at least 18 anyway. Do NOT co sign a loan for him either, unless YOU want to be stuck with car payments. If he continues to call in sick to work when he wants to sleep he won't have the job much longer.

Answer 4

I think you should guide him towards a good buy if you're gonna get him one. Learning the importance of hard work is great...but if a job takes a serious chunk away from schoolwork that could lead him to college and a muuch better job earning enough to pay you back multiple times over later in life then I'd say stick with the schoolwork now. The car is just another investment in your child.

Answer 5

Well if he's an on again off again rule follower, calls in sick alot to work, No. By all means, let him EARN his car. Let him save the money to get one. And make sure he knows how hard it is to keep it. Kids these days do not appreciate what they have, and who got it for them. The only way now-a-days is if they had to go out themselves and earn it. I understand that that's your son, and it will be easier on you if he had his own vehicle, but if you want your son to appreciate you and all things, make him save his money and buy it. But, be sure that it's used......don't let them start off with a new car's lease. Then all of a sudden, the dealership doesn't get anymore payments, sticking you to pay off the whole thing...and if that does happen........take the car away from him. OH make sure that BOTH of your names are on the title that way if he wants to sell it he'd have to come to you for reasons why. Sorry but this is coming from experience of my own. I wish nothing but luck for you both :)

Answer 6

I would not do it. I would make him pay for it. If he earns it on his own then he will be more responsible for it. If he is all ready not following rules and calling in sick to work when he is tired if you buy him a car it won't get any better. Also when he buys it let him pay for insurance, gas etc. Kids need to be more responsible and not get everything they want they will be better off for it.

Answer 7

I think it depends on how responsible he is. Maybe strike a deal that you pay for the car if he pays for insurance, or he goes half and half on the car and you cover insurance. Make sure he has to pay something or else he will not take care of it as well as he would if he had money invested.

Oh, and I did the same thing as a teenager - call in when I wasn't sick - and I grew out of it so to speak later on ni adulthood when I had real jobs :).

Answer 8

tell him you'll match what money he can save up from his job. you have to teach them the world's not about just handing money over- you have to work for it all! And if you want nice things- you have to get out there and earn it! Good luck. Also you have the car insurance and gas money to worry about too. When i got my first car- i paid for it all as well as car insurance and gas. It makes you proud to know you've done it on your own- instead of being handed something like everyone else.

Answer 9

He should earn a car on his own, then he will value and take care of the car better. Best Wishes and Happy New Years.

Answer 10

you are a better person than I
if my son doesn't follow rules he gets thinga taken away
and I will be damn sure not to offer him money when he doesn't follow rules when he is older
So if your gonna do it i say , half and half
have him come up with half the money and you'll match it but give him a set amount to work towards
like nothing under 500
but nothing over 7000
just so either he doesn't slack or thinks you'll buy him a porshe or something

Answer 11

since he's working and hes old enough let him get his own car, and maybe then he would stop calling work because hes tired, and maybe he will get a full time job, he needs to be responsible. and to provide for himself. if you buy him his car, he will always be asking you for money and won't work, hell be calling off all the time.my son bought all his cars him self and he was 17 years old when he got his first car.