How picky are you when it comes to cars for your son and daughter?

[oosik]

I got real good at running and wore out a fair share of shoe leather when I was in high school and all the way thru college. I graduated from college in 1965 and my dad bought me my first car - brand new 1965 VW. I remember it cost $1895. That car got me & my wife to my first job - in Alaska - all the way up the Alcan.

Omega Woods - Well, I DON'T resemble that cartoon. Mine would be me standing there trying to figure out how to open the door and getting smacked in the face, by the door, when somebody was coming outside. :laughing:

 

[bspeedy]

Interesting reading for me on the different perspectives. My boys are 6 and 8, so I have a few years. I bought my own at 16 and paid my own fuel, insurance, did my own repairs, etc. I think having skin in the game is critical. Easy come, easy go applies to cars as well as anything else.

My wife and her 10 siblings had a car provided but paid 100% of their own college. She thinks we should get the kids a vehicle when it is time, I think it is on them. Likely will be a compromise. Maybe match their money so they can get something nice with other costs borne by them. Driving with the oil light on will be it's own teacher. I will not bail out a kid who does that.

Thanks to everyone for their input and experiences.

 

[ultrarunner]

Growing up around the car business... it was not unusual to see a young person that was working come in to buy a nice car... problem was cars generally depreciate and the payment continues.

We were a little different in that the boss didn't like to see young people get into years of debt for a car...

1 year for a used car and up to 3 on a new one... meant you would never be upside down by owing more than it was worth.

Had lots of repeat family business... and people remember buying their first car and being cautioned about going into debt at a young age for a new car because it is a used car the moment it left the lot.

On a separate note... I wish I could go back in time and buy a few of those used car trades back in the 70's when muscle car values hit rock bottom during the time of gas lines.

Indy Pace car Camaro Convertible, 64 T-Bird Convertible, Roadrunners, Cuda's, GTO Convertible... etc.

There is a theme going as I really liked convertibles!

 

[polkwrangler]

yes kids now expect only the best for them they want the newer truck costing over 20 000 plus they want the 600.00 cell phone also,but most kids now don't know what hard work is or how to save money

 

[jlgurr]

In 2005 my two eldest were the lucky recipients of a $700 1985 Volvo Sedan with 100,000+ miles. Cheap insurance, dependable, and sold after they upgraded on their own dime, for $600. They both now drive newer vehicles than I do and I'm not broke. Wish I'd kept that car for the youngest one now but hindsight is always 20/20.

 

[ultrarunner]

Overtime the cost of ownership can be extremely with an older depreciated vehicle.

In fact, I have never sold a vehicle for less than I paid for it... even after keeping it 20 or more years.

I realize rust is prevalent in some areas of the county which would negate this.

At one time there was a never ending stream of customers wanting a reliable $1000 car and then it went $2000... mostly for their new student driver and now not so much.

 

[MossRoad]

You guys have to remember that when those of us who are now in our mid 50's bought our first 10 year old used cars around age 18, that was a 1970'ish era car. Today, an 18 year old kid buying a 10 year old used car is purchasing a 2006! The safety advancements between 1970-2006 are astronomical. Crumple zones and mandatory seat belt use alone has probably saved more lives than is possible to count. Add the air bags and anti-lock brakes and there's no arguably good reason to put a modern kid in a tin can for a daily driver. None. Now for a weekend cruiser, or something like that, sure, that would be great. But not a daily driver.

 

[ultrarunner]

Aside from the my first Car the Model A which was 46 years older than me... my next car was a 57 Ford which was only 20 years older than me... now the daily driver I had for school and after graduation for 20 years is the 72 Valiant and it was only 8 years old at the time but seemed to be a lot older and only cost $800

All these years later and I still own them all... hopelessly stuck in the past!

Just officially took title of a 2005 Land Rover as a gift from my brother and I gifted him my 96 F150 pickup all legal
like with title and insurance...

I've literally driven thousands of cars from my time working at the Dealership... the Rover is the best overall vehicle I have ever driven... but they are known to be expensive to keep and this one was built when Rover was owned by BMW...

 

[clemsonfor]

I was given a 1985 ford tempo when I was around 16. That car was about 12 years old at the time. I drove it till I was about 20, had my moms hand me down 1981 Mercedes 300d for a short time and then I bought a 1990 ford ranger that I still have to this day, although I need to sell it. I bought all my insurance and gas, except for 2 years in college I stopped a job to focus on school and my mom paid insurance then.

That said I would not buy a new vehicle, maybe 15 years old for them as I drive a 01 Highlanger now and my wife drives an 04 sequoia. There perfectly safe and very serviceable. I would have no problem putting a young driver in one as far as safety or reliability is concerned.

 

[ultrarunner]

One of my co-workers just bought a new car... to replace her bought new 2001 Tahoe... never off road, no snow and she was meticulous with maintenance... I offered to buy it and she said it sounds good... this morning she said they are giving it to their nephew in New Mexico who is flying out to California to pick it up...

154k miles and not a scratch on it... 2wd and I offered her 3k which was $800 more than the trade in the Dealer offered... it had the bigger V8 and ran sweet.

There are some really nice older cars... especially if you know the history.