Do we buy DD a car?
Find a Conversation
Do we buy DD a car?
| Wed, 07-26-2006 - 11:30am |
How do you decide whether or not to buy your new driver a car? We are trying to figure this out as DD approaches 17 and gets her DL within 2 weeks.
We are considering buying or leasing


Pages
I would definitely give her the used (your) car and get the new one for yourself. Another option if she doesn't want to drive the SUV is to get her a reliable used car. I gather that she isn't contributing any money, so there is no way I would buy my DD a brand new car, even a cheap one, and not have the new car myself.
We were lucky because my DD charmed her grandmother into giving her a car, which is a 10 yr. old HOnda Civic. It's the stereotypical little old lady car, only had 40,000 miles on it. I don't think I would have bought my DD her own car if my mother didn't give her this one because it's not really a necessity. There is the bus to school and her job is only a mile down the street, not that I would make her walk. However, now that she has a car, my life is so much easier because she is a really social butterfly and likes to go out every night if she doesn't have to work. Since it's summer, and it's her car, I allow her to go, but if she had to borrow my car, she probably couldn't do that, and I know it would really get on my DH's nerves (her stepfather). He never seemed to like it if she borrowed my car, although I felt if he & I were going out, it would probably be together, so if it didn't inconvenience us, why not let her borrow one car?
There is one things, though--we told her if she got her own car, she would have to pay for the gas and ins. and in MA, ins. is very expensive. It's $2000/yr. for this old car, compared to probably $1000 to have her added to the policy on my car. She almost had a fit when she had to come up w/ a deposit of $700. But as I said, she doesn't have to have a car, it's up to her.
Now we have my 16 yo DSD, who has her permit. She hasn't taken any steps toward doing the driver's training, even though we have asked her. She could possibly get her license in Dec. if she does that. We haven't really discuss what to do about her. It seems unfair in one way if my DD has a car and my DSD doesn't, but I wasn't going to buy my DSD a car either. My DSD is also not as social. She has been home almost a month for this summer and hasn't gone anywhere, plus she doesn't have a job. So that's definite--if she doesn't get a job, she won't be able to pay for ins. and won't be able to get a car.
Actually, Civics are considered quite cool for teens-now a Buick Regal would be another story
We choose to buy teen cars that we dont have to pay collision on. It cuts an already huge insurance bill in half.
DS1 had an accident 7 months out-his fault-minor. DS2 has an accident 4 months out-major-not his fault. If they drive to school, they are at risk no matter how safe they drive. I wouldnt put a new car, or even a nice car, in the high school parking lot. Dinged doors-key scratches-prime location for thieves-DS2 lost his Ipod and accessories this year.
For some reason, taking mom or dads old car is less desirable than getting one of your own even if moms car is actually better than what they could get on their own. I guess that makes sense
So I vote for inexpensive car of her own
Teh experts recommend a mid sized sedan-no SUV-no muscle car
Theres a lot of info if you google 'safe cars teens'
IMHO, but I would never allow my teen to have a nicer car than mine! I don't think that sends a good message...
That seems to be a common theme here, and definately something I can agree with!
I googled 'safe cars for teens' great idea!
I haven't read the other responses, but I will share my views on this, as my 18dd has had 3 cars already.
Shortly after she got her license, it became apparent that her job schedule and mine were a conflict so she would need a vehicle to get her back and forth. I had recently gotten a holiday bonus so I took $2000 of it and bought her an older used SUV from a friend. Within a month, the tranny went and I couldn't sell it for more than $800. I lost $1200. In the meantime, I had bought myself a brand new car and there was no way I was sharing it with dd or anyone. Then DD's uncle called about an old piece of crap car that both his kids had driven and it was sitting in his driveway rotting. I had always said there was no way I would allow that pile to be parked in my driveway. Well, we bit the bullet and brought it home, registered it and she drove it. She tried fixing it up, it was so ugly and hideous and just EW. We got it new brakes, a new muffler, tune up, etc. Just basic stuff and it last over a year - in fact, it still ran well when we sold it. In the meantime, I told dd to start saving every penny she made and at about that time, dd had saved up about $1500 for a newer car, so my H and her bio dad contributed $1000 each and she was able to get a nice Subaru Legacy AWD (we have a lot of snow here in norther CT). I had my mechanic friend check it out for me and he said it was a well cared for 'tight' car for dd. After we bought it, we got it new brakes and her bio-dad bought her 4 tires before the winter and it's been a dream for her. SHe isn't 'in love' with it, but it is reliable, cute and good enough. It will reside in our driveway while she starts college this Fall. But it's her car; one day SHE can take out a loan and buy the car of her dreams.
My 16dd recently got her learners permit. She wants a pontiac grand am. She also just got a job. I told her to save as much as she can and next Spring we'd start shopping for a car for her - I'd match what she saved and so would her bio-dad. But she has to save some of her own money.
It is my feeling that at thier age, they should really work hard to earn the rights to have a car. I don't feel that we're obligated to get them or buy them a car. You're the parent, your needs come first. If anyone is going to be getting a new car, it should be you, not dd. She should either use your old SUV or you can sell it and replace it with a certified used car that has a limited warranty. They are around and you could replace the SUV with a car that is less of a gas guzzler, KWIM?
My sister and her H bought all 3 of thier kids a car and IMO, they have never learned the value of working for something, of working towards a goal and being appreciative. They seem to take it for granted that someone else will provide. I think you have an opportunity to teach your dd the value of saving her money and working towards a goal.
Okay, I'll get off the soapbox now. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Thanks to all for the input. DH and I had a long talk last night about this car issue. Here is what we decided (subject to change, of course!!)
I will keep my 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee for at least a few more years. It's in new condition and still under warranty. We are probably not going to ger her a NEW car due to the fact that it may get dinged in the school parking lot and fender benders will be more upsetting than with a used car. We will look into a newer used car from a dealership where we can get a warranty.
Either way, she will contribute all of the money she has saved (about $4000), we will pay the payments and the insurance and she will be responsible for gas. She has a job and I give her a $60 per month allowance, so this should take care of her expenses.
Now, we just have to figure out what the 'rules' are that go along with a driver's license and having a car at her disposal.
Gee, we are so different. I always drive my cars for at least 10 years and I never buy a new one nor do I ever buy a car on payments. My husband is the same way. The car I have now is a 97. It is in great condition;no problems. I hope to drive it for at least 2 years,maybe 3. When it gets too unreliable, I'll buy a year-old car,clear.
I would never consider buying my 17-year-old a car nor would she expect it. If she has money to spend on a car, she has money to spend on her education. And her education comes first. It is as simple as that. She drives my car now or uses the public transport system.
With the price of gas, it is actually cheaper to use public transport. It is definitely better for the environment.
Curious, why do you give her an allowance if she has a job?
Why does she need her own car?
Personally I would give her the car you have and expect her to be thankful that she has her own vehicle. Many kids don't have the luxury of having mom and dad purchase or help them purchase a new vehicle. To be honest, what other kids have doesn't matter much to me. I'd me more concerned that my son be grateful for what we have given him and appreciative of the expense we take on in order for him to have the vehicle we own outright.
JMO
stacy
Pages