OT New New Random Thread...

[cheernerd5678]

I guess I just don't know how parents can justify spending that money on a car and not expect the child to at least make small monthly payments on it. I don't think it really prepares kids for the real world and how they won't have their parents to foot the bill on everything they buy.

My parents got us a car when my sister turned 16. It was used but still a car that we don't pay for. I'll drive it until I go to college (sharing for a few months after my brother turns 16), then it'll be my brother's, and so on. I fully understand that I'm lucky to have a car, not everyone can afford that, and that it won't always be this way. I think most of my friends with cars understand it too and are careful with their car. Lots of people I know have gotten a (used, rarely do people get new ones) car and wrecked/gotten into an accident and were responsible for paying for the repairs or buying themselves a new car. I think if you raised your kids right, it's fine. I personally wouldn't buy a brand new car for a 16 year old but if you have that money to throw around, go for it I guess? If you can afford buying a brand new car for the kid, they've probably had a more than comfortable childhood and if they're going to be the adult who still expects mom and dad to pay for things, the damage is probably already done.

 

[Julia Cole]

I understand wanting to have a car that you don't have to worry about if you'll make it school on time because the engine likes to suddenly stop working. This girl I know just turned 16 and was posting pictures of her range rover. While she had her permit she totaled not one but two of her parents cars. I just don't know if it would be such a good idea getting an expensive first car.

 

[emma_tuttle]

We don't drive here. We sold our car because it was racking up too many parking tickets because we never drove it anywhere!

We're moving next year, so my younger one will probably have her license as soon as she's old enough - and be begging for a car. We'll be back in the suburban life, so I'll have a car too. I'm kinda bummed about that part of moving - I despise driving, so I'm sad to move away from my beloved train!

The 20 year old's dorm, job, and classes are all in downtown Chicago. I don't even know what she'd do with a car!

That's true. Everything is just so spread out around here. The closest university is 30 minutes, the nearest Walmart 15-20 minutes, closest mall 30 minutes (but it's not even a good mall so really 40-45 minutes to a good mall), Starbucks is 25-30 minutes. Heck even my school is 10 minutes.

 

[caitlyn_the_camille]

A girl at my school got a brand new Toyota FJ Cruiser 2 months after turning 15. (Yes, 15.) That is literally the norm where I live (for everyone except my family, because my parents are rule followers. I have an April birthday and was one of the last in my class to get a car). Another girl got a 2013 Dodge Challenger with custom racing stripes and drove it around about 6 months before she got her license. A friend of mine got a brand new Camaro (with a custom pink Chevy symbol) on her 16th birthday, and has since already traded it in for a Dodge Charger. Freshmen drive to school in their brand new mustangs and just park across the street, because you have to have a license to get a parking tag. My boyfriend got his first truck at 14. (Granted it was actually his grandpa's old truck, and he got it when he got his first job working for him as an oilfield hand, as is the case for a lot of boys at my school. But still.) I promise I'm not exaggerating. I didn't even learn to drive until I was almost 16! It's madness.
ETA: my car is used, (as it should be; I don't think I could take the pressure of a new car) and I'm responsible for taking care of it. If I so much as leave cash in my cup holders my mom tells me I need to clean it. And I love every minute of it :D

 

[cheernerd5678]

A girl at my school got a brand new Toyota FJ Cruiser 2 months after turning 15. (Yes, 15.) That is literally the norm where I live (for everyone except my family, because my parents are rule followers. I have an April birthday and was one of the last in my class to get a car). Another girl got a 2013 Dodge Challenger with custom racing stripes and drove it around about 6 months before she got her license. A friend of mine got a brand new Camaro (with a custom pink Chevy symbol) on her 16th birthday, and has since already traded it in for a Dodge Charger. Freshmen drive to school in their brand new mustangs and just park across the street, because you have to have a license to get a parking tag. My boyfriend got his first truck at 14. (Granted it was actually his grandpa's old truck, and he got it when he got his first job working for him as an oilfield hand, as is the case for a lot of boys at my school. But still.) I promise I'm not exaggerating. I didn't even learn to drive until I was almost 16! It's madness.
ETA: my car is used, (as it should be; I don't think I could take the pressure of a new car) and I'm responsible for taking care of it. If I so much as leave cash in my cup holders my mom tells me I need to clean it. And I love every minute of it :D

It's become a thing to buy your kids cars when they're 14 or 15 because "they'll be driving soon" :confused: I really don't believe that your freshman needs a brand new car that's going to sit in the garage for a year. But "they need practice in the car they'll actually drive" :rolleyes:

 

[Daniellerae]

I need more book suggestions, something emotional but not like the popular young adult romances.


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

How I Live Now. Technically it's "young adult" but it's so good it doesn't matter. I've read it like 3 times. And the movie just got put on Netflix.

 

[emma_tuttle]

It's become a thing to buy your kids cars when they're 14 or 15 because "they'll be driving soon" :confused: I really don't believe that your freshman needs a brand new car that's going to sit in the garage for a year. But "they need practice in the car they'll actually drive" :rolleyes:

Okay, I got my first car at 14. My grandmother's husband offered it because it was getting more difficult to get in and out of it. Also, he sold it for way cheaper than it should have been sold for because he loves us. Anyway, I never even ended up getting to drive it because my idiot brother totaled it less than a month before my 15th birthday.

 

[Aussiekat]

@Just-a-Mom I'm doing my dream job. BUT, if I won the lottery and was set for life, I'd also want to become a professional philanthropist. I'm not even sure if that's a job, but I'd find a way to make it one if it wasn't.

No way! That's what I've always wanted to be since I was about 15!!


The Fierce Board App! || iPhone || Android

 

[FierceIsTheName]

I cant believe i've been on the fierceboard for 2 years.... its not very long compared to some people but im surprised y'all have put up with me for this long:rolleyes:

 

[omgitssydthekid]

In Kansas, you get your permit at 14, restricted license at 15, and your intermediate license at 16. I grew up in Missouri so I'm not sure what is so different between the restricted and intermediate license. I think the restricted allows you to drive to and from work, school, and obviously home but I'm not 100% on that.

 

[rrhhiannon]

Did any of those friends pay partial upfront or pay back their parents as they started working?

Only one pays, and it only for her gas and insurance. A few sold their car and bought another used one out right though.

 

[rrhhiannon]

Once I finish my Criminology degree, I want to apply at CSIS. The position depends on what they have open at the time, but I'm most interested in the Law/Security or the Intelligence Collection/Analysis branches.

I'm doing crim too!

 

[CheerBank]

I understand wanting to have a car that you don't have to worry about if you'll make it school on time because the engine likes to suddenly stop working. This girl I know just turned 16 and was posting pictures of her range rover. While she had her permit she totaled not one but two of her parents cars. I just don't know if it would be such a good idea getting an expensive first car.

We bought former-cp a used small SUV before she passed her road test - she practiced on it, became comfortable with it, and immediately began using it to go to and from work when she got her junior license. Now that she is 17, she will be able to drive to and from school this year as well. Where we live, public transportation is very difficult and walking to most places is just not an option. Staying after school for clubs and other activities is not easy unless you have a parent who can pick you up or friends to drive you home, and getting from school to work without a car is really not possible. Driving your own car comes with great responsibilty regardless of the age or make of that car, and when parents do not instill that in their new drivers I worry.

Would former-cp have liked a new car of choice? Of course lol! While I personally agree with you about not buying young new drivers expensive first cars, that is a judgement call made by each family and I really feel no need to question it. Do what is right for you and yours.

 

[AllstarObsession]

I understand wanting to have a car that you don't have to worry about if you'll make it school on time because the engine likes to suddenly stop working. This girl I know just turned 16 and was posting pictures of her range rover. While she had her permit she totaled not one but two of her parents cars. I just don't know if it would be such a good idea getting an expensive first car.

My senior year, I had this junker that liked to stall if I had to stop at all. I only had to drive about a mile to school, but I would end up stalling around three times. It was so so so frustrating.

My mom bought me a 99 corrolla for college, and when I got it, it only had 30,000 miles on it. Its so nice not having to worry.

 

[Twinklestars]

My senior year, I had this junker that liked to stall if I had to stop at all. I only had to drive about a mile to school, but I would end up stalling around three times. It was so so so frustrating.

My mom bought me a 99 corrolla for college, and when I got it, it only had 30,000 miles on it. Its so nice not having to worry.

I am thinking it is better to have a new, newer, decent vehicle that runs well than one that is going to stall, breakdown, leave my kids stranded. It becomes a safety issue.