Of course not. They can buy it themselves or go without. And I would not be paying their rent either.

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a car? Give them yours and get the new one for yourself.

I like this.

Of course.

Anonymous wrote:No. They are working so can decide if they want to buy a very used car or lease a small sedan. Neither choice is some sort of evil awful thing when you are a young person starting off. Dh and I did both scenarios (me very used, he leased) and now buy newer used cars cash. Don't let perfect wisdom of middle aged folks prevent your child from gaining autonomy on their own terms.

I work in the auto industry and also buy lightly used CPO vehicles for cash.

I would not.

This is a person well into their 20s, approaching 30. This is a person with no student debt. A HCOL area is one with public transportation.

If I were looking to lighten my kids' load with resources I could easily spare, I would give each of them an equal financial gift, to use as best fits their needs. They can decide if they want to spend it on a car, or on an apartment closer to work or to public transportation, or save it for a down payment, or blow it on labubus.

A person in their mid-20s should not have their parents making these decisions for them. Back off.

They can lease or take out a loan. Throw
Them 3-5k for a down payment if you want to help.

"you don't want them to buy an older car within their financial range"

This is wild.

No. They are working so can decide if they want to buy a very used car or lease a small sedan. Neither choice is some sort of evil awful thing when you are a young person starting off. Dh and I did both scenarios (me very used, he leased) and now buy newer used cars cash. Don't let perfect wisdom of middle aged folks prevent your child from gaining autonomy on their own terms.

Do you have a car? Give them yours and get the new one for yourself.

I only have one kid so my answer is I’d probably chip in something if I thought they really needed the car.

Do you have a car you could give them?

There’s a number of different issues you need to sort through separately—

1) is this really a safety thing or a personal comfort thing (how much does the kid really need your help)?
2) is this something you can afford (is it harming your retirement or postponing a vacation or neither)?
3) how do you feel about financially helping ACs in general (I don’t mind it but some on this board do)?
4) how do you/your kids feel about you helping this child and not (at the moment?) helping the other kids?

Your concern shouldn't be to save them from a bad decision. And that's what it sounds like. Keep financial help equal, relatively. Not based on: you worry more about one or think one will make a bad decision without you involved.

I would give what you can for a down payment and let them chip in or finance the rest but only for an affordable car like a Toyota, nothing luxury.

They can get a car loan like everyone else

What if you bought them a car when they learned driving but after 10 years but it stopped working and needs to be replaced as repairs would be too costly.

They finished college and grad school, which you paid for, they have a decent government job but live in HCOL area and can't afford to buy a new car. Would you help them buy a new car? You also paid half of their rent for first two years but they are fully independent now.

You are UMC, have job, home and 401k and savings but about to retire in a couple of years and spouse was low pay and part time with gaps so mostly dependent. Two other kids got done with education couple of years ago and working full time at entry level corporate jobs but in LCOL areas so have some savings.

They aren't asking for help but you don't want them to buy an older car within their financial range due to their daily commute. Would it be wise to pay full or partial payment of a new or newer car?