Disagreeing with husband

[dakcp2001]

I appreciate your post- I was starting to feel like an unfit mother....

haha I was reading all the responses and thinking "wow, all these people buying their kids new cars" thinking how easy kids have it these days. Back in my day we were lucky to have 4 wheels that rolled. My first car was a Caprice a huge tank that broke down everywhere. And kids have cell phones now, we didnt have those then. We just got stuck. lol.

 

[robinb]

Nova = no-va = no va = no go.

I would get your DD a new car that isn't older than she is. I'm shocked they gave you $1500 for it.

 

[golfgal]

We would not let our dd's drive around a car with no airbags, period.

Make sure the car you get has modern safety features, one being airbags!

You can pick a Pontiac Grand Prix's all day long for 3000.

My 19yodd has one and we will probably get another one for the soon to be 15yo. Yea they are cheap but you can see pretty well out of them, big windows.

This brings up another point, before you buy a car, run it buy your insurance agent to see how much it costs to insure. Some cars, like Grand Prix's and Grand Am's, cost more to insure then other cars in the same class. Grand Prix's and Grand Am's are one of the higher theft cars, thus they cost more to insure (something about being able to use parts from various model years on all models or something like that).

 

[antmaril]

It's time for a new car for your daughter. The 1988 Nova had it's day and now that's over. She needs to be driving a car with an airbag.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

haha I was reading all the responses and thinking "wow, all these people buying their kids new cars" thinking how easy kids have it these days. Back in my day we were lucky to have 4 wheels that rolled. My first car was a Caprice a huge tank that broke down everywhere. And kids have cell phones now, we didnt have those then. We just got stuck. lol.

We buy used cars. We have never bought a new car.

I expect my dd's to get their license at 16 and drive to school and work. I am done with being their driver. I am so close to being done, done.....

As far as the "airbag" issue I am harping on, we just have trucks, trucks, and more trucks to contend with and having that extra feature is critical to survival, literally.

So that may make a difference where you live.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This brings up another point, before you buy a car, run it buy your insurance agent to see how much it costs to insure. Some cars, like Grand Prix's and Grand Am's, cost more to insure then other cars in the same class. Grand Prix's and Grand Am's are one of the higher theft cars, thus they cost more to insure (something about being able to use parts from various model years on all models or something like that).

Well I know what parts those are! The window regulators. What a fricking PITB!

However they are easy to drive and the windows are maximum viewing for safety esp. for short people.

 

[Hannathy]

I'm very shocked you got $1500. for it also! I'd take it and run you aren't going to see that much for it anywhere else.

My other thought is-
What does your DD want to do? Shouldn't it be mainly her decision? I'm assuming she is over 18 and will be buying this car herself. You said she had an accident 2 yrs ago and I hope it wasn't immediately when she started driving so that makes her over 18. Since she will be buying,driving and maintaining it, it should be her choice (after input from you and Dad)

I would get something different only because with the age of the car things are going to start failing just due to age and you could start having to put money into it every time you turn around.

 

[SC Minnie]

Start asking around for another car. We bought DD16's car from a coworker. It's older but has less than 60,000 miles on it and we know the history.

I would have reservations letting her drive a car that had been in 3 accidents. Especially one that was such a hard it that it broke the drivers seat.

 

[tlbwriter]

haha I was reading all the responses and thinking "wow, all these people buying their kids new cars" thinking how easy kids have it these days.

You don't need a "new" car to have airbags - they've been standard in American cars since the 90s.

 

[minniebeth]

The only reason for insurance to total a car is because the repair costs more then the car is worth. It isn't an indication of the safety of the car going forward. Many cars with minimal structural damage are "totaled" these days because the airbags went off and they are SO expensive to replace, even though the structural damage may only be a dented bumper and everything else is fine.

This makes sense, and even though safety is #1, reinsuring it (where $$ comes into play) is an issue and may be good enough reason to just start new. These are the things we are also trying to learn about with an upcoming driver.

haha I was reading all the responses and thinking "wow, all these people buying their kids new cars" thinking how easy kids have it these days. Back in my day we were lucky to have 4 wheels that rolled. My first car was a Caprice a huge tank that broke down everywhere. And kids have cell phones now, we didnt have those then. We just got stuck. lol.

I posted "we've" started looking for cars for my DS, because he will be 16 this week, and will need help finding a good running car for the money, but it will be HIS money he is spending to buy and insure it! He's been saving for a long time and will be working to support the ongoing expenses. Although I have to say, there are many kids around here who's parents buy them cars (and nice ones too!) but that isn't us.

 

[robinb]

You don't need a "new" car to have airbags - they've been standard in American cars since the 90s.

Heck, an 80's Nova would be lucky to have a shoulder seat belt!

 

[Mermaid02]

She's 21 and in college- we pay her insurance and maintenance- So that does mean we have input IMO.

I have started asking around about cars- facebook etc.

 

[tlbwriter]

She's 21 and in college- we pay her insurance and maintenance- So that does mean we have input IMO.

In my opinion, they are not totally free from your input until they are totally free from your checkbook.

 

[Hannathy]

In my opinion, they are not totally free from your input until they are totally free from your checkbook.

Input yes but seriously at 21 it should be her decision if it is going to be in her name or if she is the one buying it.

that was what I was pointing out-what does she want to do?

 

[shortbun]

At some point, the car is stucturally not going to protect her. Why does her dad want to risk that? Accidents cause damage no one finds every time. If he insists on keeping the car, he should be the driver.

 

[Mermaid02]

Input yes but seriously at 21 it should be her decision if it is going to be in her name or if she is the one buying it.

that was what I was pointing out-what does she want to do?

She wants another car.

 

[Mermaid02]

At some point, the car is stucturally not going to protect her. Why does her dad want to risk that? Accidents cause damage no one finds every time. If he insists on keeping the car, he should be the driver.

He says I'm wrong and the car will be fine.

 

[disykat]

While I agree the accidents would make me nervous and it might be time to let it go, I'm coming on to defend the Nova.

The 80's Nova's were GREAT cars! They were Toyota Corollas, but cheaper. (Based on the distain, I think some people here might be thinking of the 60's Nova's?) I had one - I think it was an 84. When I sold it in 1996, I had people lining up to buy it because Consumer Reports had just come out with an article about how it was the best used car and if you could find one, buy it. I still see quite a few out on the street and if they aren't beat up, they don't stand out as junkers.

 

[Hannathy]

She wants another car.

Then there is the answer! She is the one buying it and paying for it she should get last word. Sorry Dad but the little girl is grown up and gets to make the decision.

Now If I was her I would tell Dad if I'm buying it then I pick HOWEVER if you are buying it and maintaining it and insuring it go ahead I'll happily drive it for a bit longer (and save all my money to buy a different car when I was out of school)

All of this depends on why it was totaled-if the frame was damaged then the decision is made and she needs a different car.

 

[lil mermaid]

Honestly OP, if I were you, I'd take the money and run. First off, $1,200 doesn't go very far at the body shop - if the accident was severe enough to break the drivers seat, the car must be severely damaged. I am no expert, but I'd be willing to be that the repairs are going to cost much more than the $3,000 that you say she will have for a new car.

That being said, I would really have a hard time letting my kid ride around in a car that old, regardless of how many miles are on it. A 80's Nova doesn't have the safety features a newer car has. A car without airbags? No way.