Did your parent(s) help you financially when purchasing your first car/vehicle?

[MIGrandma]

My parents did not buy me a car when I was in high school. I had use of the "family car" occasionally. Then I got married right after graduation, in 1975 so then my DH's car also became my car. We bought him a pick-up truck in 1976, so then I had sole use of the car.

We bought an older Ford Taurus for our DS to use in high school after he got his driver's license. His girlfriend (whom he ended up marrying) ended up buying it from us a couple years later.

We bought a 1978 Dodge Coronet for our DD to use in high school, and she used it for 2 years in college as well. Yes, it was a big ol' boat of a car, but served her well for at least 4 years. We had bought it from an elderly woman's estate after she passed away, and we knew it had good care. And we sold it later for more than what we'd paid for it so it was a good investment.

Both of our kids bought their own cars when they could afford them. They did pay for their own gas when they were using the cars we provided to them. We paid the insurance though.

 

[ead79]

When I was 17, it was time for my mom to get a new car, so I got her 10 year old car then. I drove it for 2 years, then my dad leased me a new car. My parents did pay for both the lease and the insurance while I was in college. Once I graduated, they gave me a year to get settled, then I assumed the payments when we bought the car off of the lease (I paid the insurance from right when I graduated I think). We actually still own that car (DH drives it now). Gotta love those Hondas--those suckers last!

 

[ckay87]

I grew up out in the boonies and, after 16 years of driving me hundreds and hundreds of miles for activities and friends, my parents could not buy me a car fast enough. I swear, my dad woke up on my 16th birthday and said "lets start learning to drive." Got my license asap at which time, I was given a piece of junk Plymouth Horizon. Mom and dad said "here, take this and just go!"

Learned a lot from that little car....learned how important an alternator is and what happens when a fuel pump goes bad. Learned that you should always go to the bathroom before getting in the car because you never know where you'll be stranded. Learned to keep sneakers, coats, and flashlights in the car because you never know how far you'll have to walk. Learned that no price is too high for a AAA membership.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Nope. Didn't even help me get a license. Gave a car to my my brother.

 

[Buckalew11]

My grandparents bought me my first car (a used Toyota Corolla) and I paid them back w/o interest. It was a wonderful thing for them to do for me.

 

[claudia]

I bought a 1971 Pinto in 1973 for about $1100.00 (money I saved from working). My dad did shop with me to find a car and my parents put me on their insurance and didn't charge me.

 

[puffkin]

I grew up out in the boonies and, after 16 years of driving me hundreds and hundreds of miles for activities and friends, my parents could not buy me a car fast enough. I swear, my dad woke up on my 16th birthday and said "lets start learning to drive." Got my license asap at which time, I was given a piece of junk Plymouth Horizon. Mom and dad said "here, take this and just go!"

LOL, that sounds like my parents. That is why they bought a third car but we pretty much had exclusive use of it. My parents were thrilled when we started driving and they didn't have to play taxi anymore. Living in the boonies means driving EVERYWHERE and a big reason I live in a subdivision now!

 

[3boymthr]

Actually I don't know if you could call it helping financially. Both DB and I were given our first car - free and clear. Of course, both of us got my parents old cars. He got a 1978 Dodge Pickup that DF was replacing with a 1984 Dodge Pickup. Mine was their old powder blue 1980 Chevy Chevette that my DM was replacing with a Brand New Buick. We got the cars when we left for college and needed a way to get back and forth.

 

[Rora]

My parents bought me a car for my 17th birthday. To be honest, I don't know why they did but I'm really really grateful for it!

 

[pjlla]

I voted for "other reply". When I was finishing my second year of college and DB was graduating from HS, my parents bought a small used car for us to share that summer. There was NO WAY that four people in one household working in three different towns all summer could have done it with just two cars.

We were both thrilled and SHOCKED! We were in NO WAY spoiled and NEVER expected such a gift.

When I went away for my third year of college and DB left for college, the car sat at home for a little while. Soon they let DB have it at school (not sure why him and not me.. no big deal though) and he would pick me up occasionally on his way to/from school for holidays and such.

Eventually they gave me the car outright, gave DB my Dad's 10 year old Volvo, so we each had a car.

They also gave me a low interest loan from the Bank of Mom and Dad when I was ready to buy my second car (which turned out to be a terrible lemon... long story).

I've even taken out auto loans from them more recently... they can charge lower interest rates than the banks, but they make more than if the $$ was just sitting in a regular savings account. It is a win/win for both of us!

DD is 14 and we will be buying her her first car (or I may give her my current car and get myself another one... not sure yet). Like PP have mentioned, we ALSO live in the boondocks and CANNOT WAIT until DD can drive herself!! Is she a bit spoiled? Sure, but the time it will save me will be worth it!.........P

 

[pigletgirl]

Yeah my parents bought my first car. I will be buying my next car with my own money.

 

[JessicaR]

My parents bought me my first 3-4 cars. They were old (the cars) and didn't have longevity. I totally appreciated each of them even if I did complain at the time. I bought me my first new car.

Our son is 16 and negotiations for a car have begun.

 

[nutterbutter2010]

My parents bought me a red Acura Integra when I was 17. I came home one day, and on my bed was a brochure for Acura, opened to my car. I didn't think anything of it since the Christmas before they had bought me all car stuff and NO CAR!!! HOW WRONG!!! All Christmas long I was looking around waiting for a car to be delivered, and NOTHING. LOL But on the bright side, I got it 6 months later.

 

[mrodgers]

I'm 37 years old and my in-laws just gave me a car

Ok, it has been handed down through the family where my wife's aunt had bought it new, and it is well on its way to 200,000 miles, but it is a Honda so still has plenty of life left on it. 35 mpg is awesome!

My parents gave me their old 83 Escort as a graduation gift. It was in rough shape, so basically they just inadvertantly gave me money for a down payment on another car. I did drive that 83 from the time I turned 16 until they gave it to me for graduation though.

I didn't learn my lesson though, and traded it for yet another Escort.

 

[HM]

My parents handed down their car to me. When I was ready to buy one a few years later, I was able to use it as a trade-in.

 

[TDC Nala]

yes, they helped me. I was in law school and I had no money to speak of.

 

[dislal]

No my parents didn't help me with a car or car ins. and I won't be helping my kids either. I think it taught me great responsibility.

I also had to pay them gas money when I worked (before I had a car) to be driven back and forth from my jobs.

 

[Mandychelle79]

I choose other

The first car I drove was an extra one my parents had, but it wasnt "my" car. When I totaled that one, it was replaced using the insurance money, and even though it was the only car I drove it wasn't "my" car. If that makes any sense. When that car died, my parents allowed me to use it as a trade in for the first car that was considered mine. My mom also co-signed on that loan and the loan I have now, but has never paid a penny towards the car payment or insurance.

 

[DisneyLover83]

My parents bought me a car when I turned 16. It was about 2 years old and they paid for everything except gas and if my grades fell below a certain point I was responsible for insurance also.

 

[Shmily1]

My first car was bought by my parents for $1500 and I paid them $50/ month for insurance and car payment.

On the other hand, I bought all of DS19 and DD18's cars. They are each on their second Mustang. Unless something happens to these, they will each buy their own next time after they are out of college. These were their dream cars (DS wanted a legend lime convertible and DD had hers special ordered) so I don't hear much about wanting to trade!! If they were bad kids, they would be doing for themselves, but they are really good so I don't mind.