As long as teens are studious, is there any harm in giving them a nice car?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We bought both of our kids they’re own cars when they got their license. I didn’t care what anyone thought.

This person has the right attitude, actually. You want DCUM to say that of course your kids are great and deserve nice things. Most parents aren’t going to give a new driver a new top of the line not very safe car. But you did / want to. So do it and not expect other people to approve.

You have already made a decision. You think you are right. Not sure why you are asking. Most people won’t agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean you could think of it this way - I'm sure your kids seem nice but they don't have any friends they wouldn't want to know that mom and dad bought them a new jeep wrangler and/or volvo. At least your son had a teeny bit of shame but not enough frankly. So your kids don't have any friends or anyone they want to respect them who isn't also rich.

It's very likely that they'll just stay rich forever, never worry about making it on their own except to eventually stop using your credit card, and this will never affect them.

The trade-in value of my husband's old Tahoe was low 40s, which is about what we paid for DD's new Jeep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We bought both of our kids they’re own cars when they got their license. I didn’t care what anyone thought.

This person has the right attitude, actually. You want DCUM to say that of course your kids are great and deserve nice things. Most parents aren’t going to give a new driver a new top of the line not very safe car. But you did / want to. So do it and not expect other people to approve.

You have already made a decision. You think you are right. Not sure why you are asking. Most people won’t agree with you.

+1

[Anonymous]

Flak. Not flack. Hopefully your children know this, or you should revoke the fancy cars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean you could think of it this way - I'm sure your kids seem nice but they don't have any friends they wouldn't want to know that mom and dad bought them a new jeep wrangler and/or volvo. At least your son had a teeny bit of shame but not enough frankly. So your kids don't have any friends or anyone they want to respect them who isn't also rich.

It's very likely that they'll just stay rich forever, never worry about making it on their own except to eventually stop using your credit card, and this will never affect them.

The trade-in value of my husband's old Tahoe was low 40s, which is about what we paid for DD's new Jeep.

40k? I think you’re an idiot

[Anonymous]

OP, you are spoiling them but that’s your decision. What do you want from your post? Validation? Why do you need that?

[Anonymous]

I think you need to look at the totality of your situation. If you can provide nice cars like that for your kids, that’s one thing. Babysitting every weekend still could never earn a teen enough for a Tahoe. However, are your kids responsible for paying for anything? Will they have to pay for gas, or will they have a credit card and gas will always just magically be in the tank? Do they use their own earned money for going out on the weekends? Do they have to pay for their prom tickets? iPhone? If you are providing all of this, yes, you are raising spoiled and entitled kids and the fancy cars are just the bling cherry on top. In addition to being spoiled and entitled, they will have a harsh transition into reality when they first try and become financially independent adults. How will they know to budget? How will they feel when they need to buy their own car next and can only afford a used Camry?

If they have some financial accountability in life, a nice car can be just an isolated big ticket splurge for them.

FYI, being a good student and a kid that doesn’t get into trouble isn’t enough in my opinion. Teens who have expensive things handed to them should have some financial responsibility in other ways.

[Anonymous]

Your kids are going to be spoilt little brats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean you could think of it this way - I'm sure your kids seem nice but they don't have any friends they wouldn't want to know that mom and dad bought them a new jeep wrangler and/or volvo. At least your son had a teeny bit of shame but not enough frankly. So your kids don't have any friends or anyone they want to respect them who isn't also rich.

It's very likely that they'll just stay rich forever, never worry about making it on their own except to eventually stop using your credit card, and this will never affect them.

The trade-in value of my husband's old Tahoe was low 40s, which is about what we paid for DD's new Jeep.

40k? I think you’re an idiot

Times three kids.

As long as they can also afford $300,000 for under grad times three kids for college, whatever. Mom thinks it’s “neat”.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it a car they could realistically afford to buy with whatever salary they are likely to make? It's cruel to give them a nicer car than they will be able to afford on their own. You are setting them up for disappointment, dissatisfaction with what they can do for themselves. A Corolla yes. A BMW, no.

This.

[Anonymous]

Since when are wranglers and Tahoes safe? Especially for teens.

[Anonymous]

Clearly you are comfortable and can afford it. I’d rather wait till kids are older and just have an extra family car so it will be newer when they are out of school so they don’t need to buy a new one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since when are wranglers and Tahoes safe? Especially for teens.

The driver is mire the issue and the sport wrangler is not any different than most other cars and doesn’t sit high up. A rubicon would be more of an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since when are wranglers and Tahoes safe? Especially for teens.

They're not. https://jalopnik.com/why-a-jeep-wrangler-isnt-a-good-first-car-for-your-teen-1826758105

[Anonymous]

At those ages the car they drive determines who seeks them out from their peers. Nicer car does not = nicer people seek their friendship. Means people who have or value nice cars come around. It is thus for teens...