Anonymous wrote:I just bought my 4 year old a car, 2012 Volvo station wagon . Should last to be a nice old clunker for him

+1 Nice thinking! We just bought a volvo wagon, too, and I told our 3yo that he could help pick the color, since he'd eventually be driving it.

Make them work and buy it themselves. You are setting them up for failure by giving them a car.

We didn't and we won't. No need for a car for either of our teenage boys.

1988 Volvo DL Station Wagon. Weighs a ton, can take a hit and has been the bumper car for all three (3) kids. No A/C - and can't go over 55 mph. It's been perfect. It's the best motivation to get a job and buy your own car.

Anonymous wrote:I just bought my 4 year old a car, 2012 Volvo station wagon . Should last to be a nice old clunker for him

Good luck with that. Our plan was to have our DD drive our old Volvo wagon when she turned 16 but at about 9 years old the thing was so expensive to maintain we gave up and bought DD a 3 year old used car.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's not a safe car.

why not? your grandma probably drove ur mom in that car haha

Those are the types of cars where people's faces get ripped off their skulls by the steering wheel. Get air bags and shoulder belts.

And a car that handles.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's not a safe car.

why not? your grandma probably drove ur mom in that car haha

Those are the types of cars where people's faces get ripped off their skulls by the steering wheel. Get air bags and shoulder belts.

Anonymous wrote:Looking at the best ratings at IIHS website, I would suggest the following, ranked from coolest to least cool:

1. VW Golf
2. Mazda3
3. Subaru Impreza*
4. Honda Civic

*Has the benefit of AWD traction.

I'd suggest larger cars, like an accord instead of a civic. Insurance is actually often higher on compact cars, specifically because teens drive them and have more accidents.

Anonymous wrote:That's not a safe car.

why not? your grandma probably drove ur mom in that car haha

Looking at the best ratings at IIHS website, I would suggest the following, ranked from coolest to least cool:

1. VW Golf
2. Mazda3
3. Subaru Impreza*
4. Honda Civic

*Has the benefit of AWD traction.

Anonymous wrote:your child will be safe in this:

That's not a safe car.

your child will be safe in this:

Anonymous wrote:These are lame opinions. I would get them what they want with restrictions and them knowing if they are not appropriate, assuming you can very comfortably afford it. We have a mustang and I would absolutely buy one for a child. We had a friend crash his and he walked away (adult, pure accident, good driver). With that said, I would probably get me a new car and give the kid our older one (or to use, not their) and wait till they are graduating college or near graduation (or need one for school) as that will last them through their first job without having a car note.

I get so tired of the I know XXX who crashed a car at 16. I used my parents and I was much more responsible than they were. I drove it my senior year (they shared a car to work) and I did all the oil changes and maintenance as they would forget. I never abused it and it was never an issue. I shared it with my mom evenings and weekends. I know far more responsible kids than not.

My logic is that my parents got me one my senior year (they had always said they would not buy a car but grandparents chipped in) and I had the car for 12 years till they bribed me to get a new one (it was in perfect physical condition, but starting to have problems and I needed it for work. I was attached to it because of my grandparents). I was extremely responsible with it and still take very good care of our cars (as does my husband). It is the example you set. It was so nice to come out of school and not worry about any type of debt (instead they helped me open up a roth ira).

You are tired of other people's anecdotes yet you offer your own.

Since our own cars cost less than 20K new, DH and I will let our teen drive one of these on loan and prove that he can drive them safely. Then we will buy him his own, safe, car. Under 20K.

These are lame opinions. I would get them what they want with restrictions and them knowing if they are not appropriate, assuming you can very comfortably afford it. We have a mustang and I would absolutely buy one for a child. We had a friend crash his and he walked away (adult, pure accident, good driver). With that said, I would probably get me a new car and give the kid our older one (or to use, not their) and wait till they are graduating college or near graduation (or need one for school) as that will last them through their first job without having a car note.

I get so tired of the I know XXX who crashed a car at 16. I used my parents and I was much more responsible than they were. I drove it my senior year (they shared a car to work) and I did all the oil changes and maintenance as they would forget. I never abused it and it was never an issue. I shared it with my mom evenings and weekends. I know far more responsible kids than not.

My logic is that my parents got me one my senior year (they had always said they would not buy a car but grandparents chipped in) and I had the car for 12 years till they bribed me to get a new one (it was in perfect physical condition, but starting to have problems and I needed it for work. I was attached to it because of my grandparents). I was extremely responsible with it and still take very good care of our cars (as does my husband). It is the example you set. It was so nice to come out of school and not worry about any type of debt (instead they helped me open up a roth ira).