How to convince my parents to buy me a car?

Question

I'm 17 years old. I really want a car now, but I will need one when I go off to college soon. I know that the standard answer for this question is "get a job", but there are many reasons why I can't do that.

1. I am in all honors courses at my school. This means I have at least 2 hours of homework every night, but usually more.

2. I spend a lot of time working for volunteer organizations. Neither me or my parents want me to give this up.

3. I spend a lot of time with my youth group. We only meet once a week, but there are a lot of retreats. I'm also a student leader so I have to do a lot of extra things with that.

4. Extracurricular activities! They take up tons of time.

My parents can afford to get me a car. We aren't at all rich, but we live comfortably. My parents just aren't convinced that they should buy me a car or not.

Colleges do not have "financially responsible" under the list of things they look for in a potential student. Both my parents and I want me to keep these activities and hard class because it is the best way for me to get a scholarship.

this has nothing to do with peer pressure and i'd take anything that safely runs.

Answer 1

Well you certainly sound like a young lady who is deserving of all that the world can offer.
Plus I am absolutely positive that no one is more aware of that fact than your parents!

By your actions you have done all of the "convicing" that any young person can possibly do.

Now is the time for you to have some faith in your parents, & trust that they have taken ALL of the factors into consideration, & will apply their maturity, wisdom, & sound judgement into their decision.

Your ultimate demonstration of your own level of maturity will be how you accept their decision on the subject of getting you a car no matter what it is.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what your parents are struggling with, but even though you live comfortably, it could be the money. Things aren't always what they appear (kids don't always know the TRUE financial status of the family), so on that note, I want to preface my answer by preparing you that the car they end up buying you may not be the car of your dreams, and it may not even be a "new" car, so before you attempt to convince them, make sure your car expectations are LOW. My recommendation to you is that you put together a powerpoint "presentation" on why you deserve/need a car. Yes, it sounds a little formal, but I'm a firm believer that if people see clear, definitive info on paper it goes a long way in helping them make decisions. And, seeing the effort you've put into this will really "drive" home how serious you are about the responsibility. You are busy, but you'll need to make time for this one if you want a car bad enough. Topics in the presentation would include; 1) Your grade point average throughout highschool (I'm guessing it's good), 2) where you rank among total # of students in your class, 3) # of hours spent doing homework, volunteer work, youth group, activities etc., 4) percentage of that time requiring transportation, 5) what extra things you could do for THEM once you get a car (i.e. grocery store? taking other siblings to their functions?, you get the drift), and finally 6) research affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles, list them and pricing. You could go the extra mile by calculating monthly payments using a 4 or 5 year loan at current interest rates, etc. A salesman at the dealer can help with this, or sometimes there are calculators online. Finally, conclude the presentation with your dedication at being responsibile with this vehicle and ahering to their rules (going where you say you're going to go, be home on time, etc.). I really think this will do it for you, so good luck and let me know what happens!! :) *update* Heather also has several good points to include in this presentation. Don't be restricted by what I've listed...put anything in there that you think will help your case.

Answer 3

i would threaten them that i will leave my extracurricular activities to get a job to pay for the car.
or i would save a little and buy a very old car and give them to read 'christine' by stephen king. that would scare the hell out of them.

you know, i come from europe and the 17 yrs old kids with cars is just something you don't see here. families here don't buy kids cars. it's supposed to be a very bad move and a sign that kids are taking advantage of the parents. but that's just your culture. i cannot relate. i think all your 'activities' are not that necessary and your most important activity is to get a job if you want such an expensive item. i don't think parents have to provide such luxuries to kids because it spoils them. go get a yugo or something. but you won't. that would not look very good with the image you have created for yourself right ? and your friends with the cars would look down on you, right?
i'm sorry. i understand peer pressure but your parents are wise to think this twice.

Answer 4

I am impressed by your resume, but I fully believe that if a child wants a big ticket item as a car, they should at the very least pay for half of it. What most kids do not understand is that there are many more expenses attached to a car than just owning one. There are taxes, gas, insurance(which is extremely high for teenage boys), maintanence, and the list goes on and on. Until you free up some time to get a job and help out on the expenses, you will just have to share the family car.

Answer 5

Even with all that, the answer is still get a job. It sounds like you are a very responsible person, but where are you learning financial responsibility. One of your "extracurricular activities" should be a job.

You want your parents to buy you a car. Should they also then be responsible for insurance, gas, and upkeep?

Financial responsibility effects your life far more than any of the things you've listed. You could earn a million dollars a year and still be broke unless you learn how to earn and spend your money.

Answer 6

Show your parents that you can handle the responsibility associated with a car,if you have time to use your own car then you have time to handle a job that produces actual income,maybe your parents will come up with matching funds to help you get a nicer or safer car, but if you want one get off your cheeks and get some income.
By the way,we just lost an 18 year old guy and his 15 year old sister in an auto accident this week end in our community. Teens are not good or safe drivers.

Answer 7

Owning a car means taking responsibilty for it. If your parents aren't convinced they should buy you one, they have their reasons. Are all your extracurricular activities necessary? Is it possible to give up one or two of them to free up enough time to get a part time job?

In my family the rule was once you hit 16 if you want to get your license and a car to drive, get a job and save up enough money to pay for the insurance. That was a long time ago when gas was nowhere near what it costs today. But it was a fair rule. It required responsibility and commitment. If you don't want a car bad enough to give up some of your extra activities to get it, maybe it's not the right time for you to have one.

Answer 8

Well, you have already listed all the reasons that you should get a car. Have you tried talking to your parents about these reasons? Try telling them how much less work it would be for them, if they don't have to drive you around! Also, make sure you also tell them that you are not looking to buy a BMW. Tell them that all you are asking for is an economic drivable car. Try to nod when they are giving their viewpoint, and be diplomatic while giving yours. Use phrases like, " I totally see where you are coming from, but..." and " Please stand in my shoes and see how hard it is for me". The best way to resolve this is to emotionally wear them out...

Answer 9

it seems you do have limited time.

maybe they are rolling it around in their brains, since they do know you'd like a car.

doesn't look like you'd have the time to work part time to pay them back in payments, either?

i hope they are thinking about it, and will get you a car one day soon.... you seem to be quite active and are doing a lot for yourself as well as others!

all the best!

Answer 10

sorry
but I don't think it's your parents responsibitly
to buy any child a car.

what is wrong to be working and for you to buy yourself a car
then you can pay the insurance and gas as well????