Anything wrong with buying your teen an nice car? ($40,000 and up)

[Anonymous]

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. I agree with previous posters who got their children modest cars and required them to help with the upkeep. Getting your kid a shiny, expensive car at 16 is not a good way to instill appreciation value of things or of hard work, imo.

[Anonymous]

Our rule is that if we buy a vehicle, you have to pay us back. You are also responsible for paying for your part of the insurance. That is one way that we make sure that our kids understand that nothing is free in this world. However, that's just how my husband and I do things. I also believe that you do what you want, since you are an adult, and it is your family. Why do you care if someone else thinks that there is something wrong with buying your child a loaded Jeep? A good friend of mine bought one when she was 18 (her grandparents paid part of the downpayment, she paid the other part and she is responsible for the monthly payments, insurance, and all upkeep) and it has been a great vehicle for her. She works full time and goes to college full time, and it is very reliable. She's almost 20 now.

[Anonymous]

That is crazy.

[Anonymous]

A brand new fully loaded Jeep? No, no way. We could afford it, but we wouldn't do it. First of all, a Jeep isn't even that safe of a car for a new driver.

A list of the cons of a Jeep Wrangler, from Edmunds:

Mediocre crash test scores; long braking distances; sloppy on-road handling; noisy interior; busy ride; questionable security with soft top; missing many of the latest safety and technology features; cumbersome convertible operation.

Second of all, I wouldn't buy a brand new car for myself, let alone my teenage child. I don't think it does teenagers any good to have their dream cars handed to them at the age of 16. They should have something to strive for in that department.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:works part-time after volunteer opportunity offered her a weekend job

Awesome! Tell her to start saving her pennies, and she can buy herself a Jeep when she has set enough money aside.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't. I'd put the money towards, college, grad school, even towards her future wedding or house, or start-up. Not a car. Not for a teen even the most responsible teen.

I'd stick to the $10,000 range.

Either way she should be paying for insurance, gas, upkeep etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Teens will take better care of things they have to buy themselves. I can absolutely afford to buy my kids cars. But I let them know they would absolutely have to save up and buy their own first cars.

I also would never spend $40k on a new car. I would also never buy a teenager a new car.

+1

I don't think her stats and dating history are relevant, either.

I have to admit I rolled my eyes at the mention of her boyfriend's school.

[Anonymous]

If you are going to spend 40K, I would spend it on a car that is more reliable than a Jeep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our daughter really wants a loaded Jeep for her upcoming birthday, which is about $40,000. She's an all A student, co-captain of her athletic team, elected to student government, volunteers, works part-time after volunteer opportunity offered her a weekend job, dating a sweet boy at St Albans.

No. She has no time to drive it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Teens will take better care of things they have to buy themselves. I can absolutely afford to buy my kids cars. But I let them know they would absolutely have to save up and buy their own first cars.

I also would never spend $40k on a new car. I would also never buy a teenager a new car.

+1

I don't think her stats and dating history are relevant, either.

I have to admit I rolled my eyes at the mention of her boyfriend's school.

If she's working on the weekends and volunteering and doing sports/student government before/after school. And getting halfway decent grades in semi challenging courses.....she will never see that boyfriend. He won't be in the picture much longer.

[Anonymous]

I'd pay $100,000 cash to have my teen daughter be anywhere near as accomplished as OP's!

New cars are safer and no headaches since they're under warranty. The Wrangler has the best resale value of any car in the US. If you unload it in 2 years you'll lose maybe 8 grand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Every other sorority girl at UVA drives one of these.

[Anonymous]

OP, if you get her this now, what is there for her to look forward to? Buy her something safe and used; and have her work for and look forward to her dream car.

~signed, buyer of a red Miata during the Miata craze. Loved that red Miata. Worked so hard for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd pay $100,000 cash to have my teen daughter be anywhere near as accomplished as OP's!

New cars are safer and no headaches since they're under warranty. The Wrangler has the best resale value of any car in the US. If you unload it in 2 years you'll lose maybe 8 grand.

Oh please ! That is DC Area typical and 99% of the kids do that just to get into college .

None of what OP wrote speaks to her daughter's true character.

If OP or anyone else wants to spend $40K or more for their kids stuff more power to them , but let's stop with the damaging thought process that people deserve things . This is exactly why we have 22 year olds that think they should be the company CEO because they graduated Harvard at the top of their class or 25 year olds living at home because they don't want to take the entry level job that pays $30 k because they deserve the $80K job because of their grades and hard work during their internship.

[Anonymous]

I would get her a used accord. No new loaded car. You should have to work for that.