Is giving a teen a car a privilege or so common that it’s not?

[Anonymous]

I can tell amongst our kids and their peers, getting their own car is as natural as breathing. It’s almost unfathomable to not get one. Is this sort of entitlement pretty normal? Anyone know the % of high school kids who get their own car?

[Anonymous]

My son who is now in college was not given a car.

My other son who is now a senior in high school was not given a car.

Neither has expressed any distress or resentment over it.

[Anonymous]

No, its not normal. If your kids expect it, then yes, they are entitled and you are rich.

I got a car in graduate school as i had a required internship.

Mine will get our old car if its still running when they start driving. Otherwise, they use ours.

[Anonymous]

For UMC kids, yes, it’s normall

[Anonymous]

I lived in the suburbs growing up, and even though we weren’t particularly wealthy, most kids at least got a beater car so parents didn’t have to drive them to sports and jobs and school.

We live in a more urban area now, and I think it’s less common here because kids can get most places without driving. Lots of HS kids don’t even get their licenses when they turn 16.

[Anonymous]

Lots of people I know choose to give their kids cars. My oldest bought his own. He’s a mechanic and was I to care way younger than we were ready to figure the car thing out. His boss helped him find and buy one.

We bought my second one a car - couldn’t get the hang of standard transmission so bought an automatic. After behavior we found unacceptable and incompatible with operating an automobile, we sold it. He’s on his own for that as far as we’re concerned. I do feel like the anomaly in our circle.

[Anonymous]

I don't have the money to buy my kid his own car. My mom bought me one when I was 16 but she bought it for $1 from my grandmother who was buying a new one. My car is only a few years old so I won't be buying another one for many years.

[Anonymous]

Well, they sure aren't driving our cars because they are too expensive. I might get them a very safe car that is around $25k, whatever that would be. With 495, all the confusing street signs (NO TURN ON RED 2pm-5pm Mon-Sat) it's terrifying to imagine a child learning to drive in the DC area. I can afford to pay for their UBERs until they go to college but I fear UBER drivers aren't much safer than a 16 year old driver

[Anonymous]

We didn’t give our kids their own car, but with DH and I and plus a teen driver in the family, we handed down our old car.

[Anonymous]

I didn't give either of my "of-age" kids a car. We could easily afford to. But I think they'll take better care of it if they have to buy it themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For UMC kids, yes, it’s normall

No, it isn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, they sure aren't driving our cars because they are too expensive. I might get them a very safe car that is around $25k, whatever that would be. With 495, all the confusing street signs (NO TURN ON RED 2pm-5pm Mon-Sat) it's terrifying to imagine a child learning to drive in the DC area. I can afford to pay for their UBERs until they go to college but I fear UBER drivers aren't much safer than a 16 year old driver

Just say I'm rich and selfish. No reason your kids can't drive your cars. You don't want them too, which is ok. $25K is a lot of money for a car.

[Anonymous]

They can't drive their parents' cars because their parents actually need to use them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, they sure aren't driving our cars because they are too expensive. I might get them a very safe car that is around $25k, whatever that would be. With 495, all the confusing street signs (NO TURN ON RED 2pm-5pm Mon-Sat) it's terrifying to imagine a child learning to drive in the DC area. I can afford to pay for their UBERs until they go to college but I fear UBER drivers aren't much safer than a 16 year old driver

Just say I'm rich and selfish. No reason your kids can't drive your cars. You don't want them too, which is ok. $25K is a lot of money for a car.

lol ok

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, they sure aren't driving our cars because they are too expensive. I might get them a very safe car that is around $25k, whatever that would be. With 495, all the confusing street signs (NO TURN ON RED 2pm-5pm Mon-Sat) it's terrifying to imagine a child learning to drive in the DC area. I can afford to pay for their UBERs until they go to college but I fear UBER drivers aren't much safer than a 16 year old driver

Just say I'm rich and selfish. No reason your kids can't drive your cars. You don't want them too, which is ok. $25K is a lot of money for a car.

lol ok

You are probably the same parent demanding financial and merit aid for school for your kids.