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

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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I would never buy kids cars because not having a car teaches them quite a lot about life and goals and priorities. Then again we are also careful to live in areas where kids really don't need a car. [/quote]

Owning a car can also teach you a great deal about life.  I grew in small Midwest town, walkable to nothing.  A car was essential to the independence and freedom that are a natural part of growing up.  My first car cost $300 and was a 93 Ford Tempo (uninspiring Honda Civic competitor).  My grandparent's gave me the car shortly after I passed my written learner's permit exam.  It let me work a job before school.  It gave me plenty of natural consquences for neglecting regular maintence and it would have killed me if I decided that it was a good idea to drive recklessly.  It was not an inspiring vehicle, but I don't know that any material thing has ever meant as much to me since.  Keeping it on the road and insured was on me, though my father was generous enough to allow the use of his tools.  I'm not mechanically inclined, but I can change my own oil and brakes, which was considered important in a blue collar family.  I know how to use a jack and change a flat.  In short, the car taught me about budgeting, hard work, and the importance of taking care of things BEFORE they break.

Life is different here, but I'm not sure that not having a car teaches them about life, goals, or priorities.  To me, it  sounds like a kid is going to spend more time bumming rides with friends.  That puts your kid at a greater risk of somebody's else decision-making.  That could be minor, like missing out a preferred activity because Larlo wants to do something else.  Or major, like having a friend that decides it would be funny or cool to drive irresponsibly resulting in a serious collision.  Even just being stuck somewhere that they don't feel safe because thier ride doesn't want to leave.  Maybe it's not really a big deal here and now with Uber/Lyft, public transit, denser neighborhoods with sidewalks.

I don't think that giving nice things to a kid automatically means that they will be horrible, spoiled children.  However, I don't think there is any reason for a teenager to have such a nice vehicle, just because they want it and you can give it to them.  On the other hand, a thoroughly used car in this area might be a source of shame and irresponsible behavior because of that.
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