Does everyone buy their kid a car at or around 16?

[Anonymous]

Nope. My kids had to buy their own first car. We always told them to buy used, so they wouldn't waste money. My son (oldest) bought a used car from his friend's dad who was ready to upgrade, and then DS sold his car to DD when he didn't need it anymore but she did need one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Got both my DS and DD Tesla model 3 each when they turned 17 years old.

Pretty risky to get teens a high performance car like that.

[Anonymous]

When I got my permit at 15.7, I also got the 1981 VW Rabbit my parents bought in 1982. I used that car for 4 years until I traded it in for a Nissan.

Hated it at the time, but it was a great first car.

Other techniques I have heard: go halfsies with the kid on a car. However much they can put up, match that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I got my permit at 15.7, I also got the 1981 VW Rabbit my parents bought in 1982. I used that car for 4 years until I traded it in for a Nissan.

Hated it at the time, but it was a great first car.

Other techniques I have heard: go halfsies with the kid on a car. However much they can put up, match that.

Yes! This is our plan.

[Anonymous]

We bought a third car when our oldest when he turned 16. He had actually earned and saved enough money to buy his own car, but, we wanted him driving a safe, used, small SUV versus the used sports car that he had his eye on. Also, my car, my rules. My middle child will take it over when he leaves for college. With 3 busy, active kids, it’s a real help for my husband and I to have a third driver. It was worth the cost of a safe, used vehicle to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This doesn’t seem like a rite of passage tied to a specific age to me. It’s more about what the family needs to function.

This is where I land on this issue. There were five of us kids in our family, so we didn't get cars, of course. It used to be sort of a rite of passage years ago for upper middle class families in the suburbs to get their kids a car. That bit of consumerism has faded in recent years.

Here in the DC area I see it happen but, like the PP says, it's less common and is driven by family logistics.

A hand me down CRV would be perfect

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Got both my DS and DD Tesla model 3 each when they turned 17 years old.

Pretty risky to get teens a high performance car like that.

Telsa is the safest car there is for teenagers, with advanced technology and self-driving assistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Got both my DS and DD Tesla model 3 each when they turned 17 years old.

Pretty risky to get teens a high performance car like that.

Telsa is the safest car there is for teenagers, with advanced technology and self-driving assistance.

Too much power for a young driver who has no idea how to drive a car with that that kind of power safely. All the safety BS features don’t overcome bad judgement, and your kids (and everyone else’s) have loads of bad judgement.

[Anonymous]

No. Kid gets my old Jeep. I get fancy new one. Win-Win.

[Anonymous]

No cars for my teens. We live in a W school cluster in Montgomery County. Not everyone has the same values, and we believe driving is a priviledge you earn, not a right. When they earn enough to buy a car and pay for insurance, they are welcome to do so. Until then, they are welcome to drive my 8 year old minivan when I am not using it (yes, I work FT).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get her a crv

You mean the boring, slow driver, I’m on my way to the garden center super cautiously, sad old lady car of DC? No thanks!

LOL
When I look at the driver of a CRV, it’s 90% women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Got both my DS and DD Tesla model 3 each when they turned 17 years old.

Pretty risky to get teens a high performance car like that.

Telsa is the safest car there is for teenagers, with advanced technology and self-driving assistance.

Too much power for a young driver who has no idea how to drive a car with that that kind of power safely. All the safety BS features don’t overcome bad judgement, and your kids (and everyone else’s) have loads of bad judgement.

You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.

[Anonymous]

No. I’m waiting until senior year. And it will be an old car. I don’t want her to be spoiled.

[Anonymous]

We live near a metro station, shops, parks, and their school. (Upper NW DC) They don't need a car. Plus, they haven't shown much interest in getting a license.

[Anonymous]

Got the kids a Jeep. Two years between them so when the older goes to college the younger will be getting his license. After that, it will be the second car to leave at the summer house.