Should I give my daughter a car?

Question

My daughter grew up with her mother. Her side of the family is very poor. My parents were college professors. My mom is now quite wealthy.

I'm considering giving my 2001 Ranger to my daughter when she graduates from college in May and moves to Santa Rosa, CA.

My mother is against it. She feels that my daughter should get a job first. I think that having dependable transportation makes getting a good job much easier.

What do you think?

Answer 1

give it to her..im 17 and drive my brothers car and now i feel i can b independent which is a good thing

Answer 2

Personally, as a teenager (18) I feel that receiving a car from your parents is a good idea as long as ground rules are set. For example, if I receive any tickets or am involved in any accident which is my fault, I have to pay for the damages and the increase in my car insurance. So far, it has taught me to be a careful driver and to be grateful for the present my parents have given me.

Also, having transportation is so much easier for everyone. Not only will YOU not have to drive around your daughter, you won't have to worry that someone you don't know is driving around your daughter.

When I got my first job in the summer, the manager asked if I had a reliable mode of transportation. Though I received the job, my friend, who cannot drive yet, applied, she did not receive the job. Also, I had to pay for my own gas during the summer (when it most expensive!) and it taught me a lot of responsibility and money management skills as well.

I think having a car and driving shows your daughter that you respect her and are allowing her a chance to grow up and become more independent. Because she grew up with less, I doubt she will be the sort of daughter to take the car for granted and think that everything will be handed to her on a silver platter. It's not like you're giving her a brand new car either.

I think you should go for it and give her a car!

Answer 3

Being a university student away from home, I know how difficult it can be in a new city with nothing but city transportation to rely on. You have no idea how difficult it is to buy furniture, go grocery shopping, etc.

I suggest giving her the car but letting her know that she will have to pay for her tags, insurence, gas, etc. Also, maybe calmly discuss the pros with the mother:
-safter to be in a car at night then using public transport
-it is much easier to get a good job if you have a car: you are not restricted to one area
-it creates responsibiliy and budgeting because you are forced to make sure you have money for insurence, gas, repairs, etc.

See what you can do!

Answer 4

I am now 42 years old. My parents had money but they always demaned that I work and enforced the 18 and out rule. During college at one point my dad was asking me how much things cost, and he gave me his old car that was worth about 3k. When I graduated he gave me $7k figuring that was about what I spent on tuition. There is nothing like doing it yourself and then just getting a gift not that you absolutely had to have to survive but something sort of like a reward for doing a good job. Heck., if she graduates, then she has obvisouly shown responsibility so sure give her the car.

Answer 5

If she can drive really well and needs the car sure, But your mum has a point. When you get something for free you dont really appreciate the true value of its worth. having said that. I will not be listening to my mother when I decide whether or not to give my daughter a car .

Answer 6

Im 17 and I would say no. I worked for my car (2003 Mustang GT) and appreciate like none other. I see with my friends who were given cars that they treat them like ****. So unless you want a beat up Ford Ranger then give it to her. Or you could make her pay for insurance and gas and giver her the car for free. That would install some sense of responsibility.

Answer 7

If you can give your used car to your daughter as a graduation gift; then do it! She'll need transportation and will still have to pay for insurance, upkeep, and gas. It's not like you're giving her a brand new Hummer or Mercedes!

Answer 8

Give her the car, she needs reliable transportation. She's your kid, not your mother's.

Answer 9

Heck no. Don't give her a car. Make her work for it. If you give her a car, she will think Daddy will get her everything she needs for the rest of her life. Make her earn it.