Would you buy your 16 year old a new car?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are so many car safety features now available -- backup cameras, collision warning systems, automatic braking systems among others -- that any parent would be remiss if they bought a car for their child without these technologies.

This is strange to me. So you're saying that someone who was 16 in say, 2012, and whose parents bought them a new car was completely unsafe? Crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many car safety features now available -- backup cameras, collision warning systems, automatic braking systems among others -- that any parent would be remiss if they bought a car for their child without these technologies.

This is strange to me. So you're saying that someone who was 16 in say, 2012, and whose parents bought them a new car was completely unsafe? Crazy.

No. But going forward, if you can afford a car with say, a backup camera, I think that's worth it. YMMV.

[Anonymous]

Heck no. Used.

[Anonymous]

My new car with new safety equipment is in charge and it's scary. I want an old car back when I make sure I'm safe long with everybody around me and not the car. The car telling me to break is distracting and annoying.The breaks push back instead of stopping. I have no idea who is driving this car but it's not me.

[Anonymous]

I got a 1983 chevy mini blazer when I learned to drive, in 1994. On its 3rd engine. Wow that truck was beat. The 2.8L V6 was in no rush to get you a speeding ticket.

These kids today.....

signed,
The Youngest Gen-Xer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm planning to give my son a very used, but safe and reliable Accord. No, it doesn't have all the latest safety features, but it's plenty safe. I understand wanting the latest safety technology for your kid, but it's almost a guarantee that these kids will get into fender benders within their first year, and yet I have friends who are buying their kids brand new years, and expensive ones at that. Why not buy a slightly used car and save some money? I know I sound like a curmudgeon, but I don't think kids should be driving new BMWs, etc.

I don't think 16 year olds should have their own car, period. They should have to ask their parent's permission each and every time the family car is available for their use. You are so sanctimonious that a child shouldn't have an expensive car yet you are buying your 16 year old a giant killing machine. You aren't even making him pay for the killing machine or the insurance to cover it when he crashes into another car, pole or human. You have a spoiled child if you ask me.

[Anonymous]

I know this sounds crazy, but my parents wanted me to have a dream car for my first car. They both remembered their first cars fondly (my middle class inlaws remember theirs too and DH remembers his too). So I got a brand new car on my 16th birthday. And I didn't wreck it and had it until I was 23 and traded it in for a larger car. I still think it's crazy, but it's something I'll always remember about my parents. They had the money, but weren't extremely wealthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm planning to give my son a very used, but safe and reliable Accord. No, it doesn't have all the latest safety features, but it's plenty safe. I understand wanting the latest safety technology for your kid, but it's almost a guarantee that these kids will get into fender benders within their first year, and yet I have friends who are buying their kids brand new years, and expensive ones at that. Why not buy a slightly used car and save some money? I know I sound like a curmudgeon, but I don't think kids should be driving new BMWs, etc.

I don't think 16 year olds should have their own car, period. They should have to ask their parent's permission each and every time the family car is available for their use. You are so sanctimonious that a child shouldn't have an expensive car yet you are buying your 16 year old a giant killing machine. You aren't even making him pay for the killing machine or the insurance to cover it when he crashes into another car, pole or human. You have a spoiled child if you ask me.

You seem very overwrought at the prospect of a duly licensed driver operating a motor vehicle on the public highway.

Could you please explain why a youth-owned vehicle is a killing machine but a parental vehicle somehow is not?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm planning to give my son a very used, but safe and reliable Accord. No, it doesn't have all the latest safety features, but it's plenty safe. I understand wanting the latest safety technology for your kid, but it's almost a guarantee that these kids will get into fender benders within their first year, and yet I have friends who are buying their kids brand new years, and expensive ones at that. Why not buy a slightly used car and save some money? I know I sound like a curmudgeon, but I don't think kids should be driving new BMWs, etc.

I don't think 16 year olds should have their own car, period. They should have to ask their parent's permission each and every time the family car is available for their use. You are so sanctimonious that a child shouldn't have an expensive car yet you are buying your 16 year old a giant killing machine. You aren't even making him pay for the killing machine or the insurance to cover it when he crashes into another car, pole or human. You have a spoiled child if you ask me.

You seem very overwrought at the prospect of a duly licensed driver operating a motor vehicle on the public highway.

Could you please explain why a youth-owned vehicle is a killing machine but a parental vehicle somehow is not?

No one is “overwrought.” Your perception is quite askew.
Cars are killing machines in the hands of teens whether parent or teen owned.

[Anonymous]

We let DD pick out a new car at 15 1/2 when she got her temps. She drove every including long road trips to soccer tournaments. By the time she was 16 and had her license, we were confident she knew how to drive and knew how her car handled.

She graduated high school with an associates degree and was easily able to double major in college. She received academic and soccer scholarships. She's graduating this month and will be moving out of state for her dream job in January. That car really spoiled her and ruined her work ethic. lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got a 1983 chevy mini blazer when I learned to drive, in 1994. On its 3rd engine. Wow that truck was beat. The 2.8L V6 was in no rush to get you a speeding ticket.

These kids today.....

signed,
The Youngest Gen-Xer

That sounds safe. Parents those days...

[Anonymous]

No new car for our child. We have a lot of money but don’t want to spoil our child. She will really appreciate a new car that she works for. Kids around here get too much - ours included - and are robbed of some of the simple pleasures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm planning to give my son a very used, but safe and reliable Accord. No, it doesn't have all the latest safety features, but it's plenty safe. I understand wanting the latest safety technology for your kid, but it's almost a guarantee that these kids will get into fender benders within their first year, and yet I have friends who are buying their kids brand new years, and expensive ones at that. Why not buy a slightly used car and save some money? I know I sound like a curmudgeon, but I don't think kids should be driving new BMWs, etc.

I don't think 16 year olds should have their own car, period. They should have to ask their parent's permission each and every time the family car is available for their use. You are so sanctimonious that a child shouldn't have an expensive car yet you are buying your 16 year old a giant killing machine. You aren't even making him pay for the killing machine or the insurance to cover it when he crashes into another car, pole or human. You have a spoiled child if you ask me.

Wow. You must be fun at parties.

My plan is this. Kid gets dad's old Jeep. Dad gets new Jeep. Everyone wins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's amazing that cars that were heralded for their safety just a few years ago (Subaru, Volvo, etc) are now "unsafe", because they don't have automatic braking, lane assist, crash avoidance and all the other crap that allows people to pay even LESS attention to driving.

What a bunch of BS.

Exactly. Teach a kid to drive right and to rely on her skills. Preferably in a manual.

[Anonymous]

Kids need to buy their own car. I'll go guarantor if they're responsible kids. That's it.

If they aren't hard working and responsible enough to get their own car, this will be a good incentive.