Your Teenager's Automobile

[chell]

No, I don't think you should pay everything for her. She needs to be responsible for part so that she will learn some lessons and feel like she is doing something for herself.

 

[Jungle Skipper]

I got a job when I was 14 years old and started saving money, when I turned 16 and got my license I paid cash for my car...paid for the insurance too...most of the time i paid my own gas, unless I was running errands for mom and dad and then they helped out.

Jungle Josh

 

[Aisling]

I think it depends where you live to decide about paying for a teen's car expenses. Here in NYC, I pay $800 a month for car insurance, for 3 cars. DS could never afford that. He received the car as a gift from gerandpa, used, and pays his own gas. He pays for basic maintenance, I pay for repairs.

He's a full-time college student, works part-time, and has never had an accident with the car. Insurance in NYC is outrageous.

I wish I could teach him responsibility by having to pay all his car expenses, but it's impossible, unless he gets a full-time job on top of being a full-time student.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i just bought myself a new car yesterday...im making the payments and my parents are going to pay the insurance...i pay for most of the gas, while my parents give me 50 a month twoards gas bc i commute to school

 

[skiwee1]

We just bought DS, now 16, a mustang. We pay for everything. I would rather have him concentrate on school then a minimum wage job.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

When I was 16 my parents bought a "3rd car." It wasn't my car and they were very clear about that. I could use it only with permission. And if for some reason either of the other 2 cars weren't operating my parents would drive the 3rd car. They paid ins, and gas. as long as I contributed to family errands. My mom had returned to college for a teaching degree at the time, so that meant picking up my little bros from school and running my also teenage sister around. If I had got any tickets or in an accident I would have had to pay the amount the ins. increased as a result of my actions. I did work an afterschool job, but my money went to things like prom, dance classes, church trips and college savings.

 

[LisaSt]

My first 2 cars were bought for me by my mother when I was 18 and 20 then she gave me a great b day gift when I was 23 she paid off my motorcycle loan for the bike I bought myself. I didn't have to pay for any tickets or for gas or for insurance on my first 2 cars and only paid for my payments on the bike untill she paid it off and had to put gas in it she paid the insurance. I have a wonderfull mother.

 

[mudnuri]

When I first got my license- I used either my mom or my dads car. being that I was the youngest- I didnt have to run my siblings around etc..

while using my their cars- I did not pay for anything, except sometimes gas.

When I was a senior- I bought a brand new car. I was working fri/sat/sun waitressing, and had saved up a huge $$...my dad co-signed for me, but I had to pay EVERYTHING that came with that car.

From that point on, I have had a brand new car every 2/3 years and have paid for it all.

DH's parents bought him/brothers cars, paid for insurance, gas etc... however they all worked in the family business making way less than comparable help, so it worked out.

Our kids are about 8 years from this, so we'll see what happens, though I do like the idea stated above, making a payment or paying for upkeep, either way its a wash..I think they'll end up wth fairly new cars...though, they'll pay for gas

Brandy

 

[CyranoJones]

Our daughter drives one of our old vehicles. She is in college and is 1900 miles away. We pay for insurance, will pay for any repairs that are necessary. She changes the oil and does other minor adjustments herself (that's my girl, LOL!!). She works part-time and could not afford the cost of insurance. I prefer that she concentrate on school and still be able to have some fun and am more than happy to help her out.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

When my oldest son turns 16 he will probably get his Father's old car or we'll help buy him a newer used vehicle. He started a savings account when he was pretty small and I'm sure he'll be required to pay for some things himself.

I'll definately help though. He doesn't have school bus service to his school and it will be a huge relief to me when he's able to drive himself and his brother to school.

 

[Cindy B]

My parents paid for the car. I paid insurance, gas, repairs, etc.

I had to work.

 

[Kirby]

We bought our 16 year old son a truck this summer. He gets a $10 a week gas allowance. If he goes over, he pays for it. We pay insurance costs but if he causes it to go up due to tickets or an accident, he will pay for the added expense. And if he has a second accident, all insurance costs are his alone to pay for. We've also told him that this will be the only vehicle that he will get from us. He worked over the summer and plans to get another job once marching season (football) is over. He will help pay for maintenance.

We never thought we would actually furnish our children with a vehicle. But since our son is a good kid and makes good grades, we decided to go ahead. He knows that if his grades fall, driving privileges are affected. We plan on doing the same with our daughter in three years.

 

[Towncrier]

We purchased my MIL's 1994 Saturn so that 16yo DS James could drive himself and our DD Sarah to high school. Last semester the school system suspended busing to the high school, so we thought that it would be prudent to provide the two of them transportation to/from school. Of course, right after we bought the car, the school levy passed and they reinstated busing.

We bought the car, pay for his insurance, and put gasoline in the tank. He doesn't have a job so I don't see how we could expect him to pay for anything. Our approach is that as long as he keeps his grades up, we'll provide the car.

I like the concept of a gasoline "allowance". I may have to discuss that with my wife.

 

[Patch'sD]

Two sons are driving. Purchased both cars for them and pay insurance. Gas is up to them, However son number II plays sports in School and is difficult to work with Practice and School work. Will work one day a week for expenses. Both cars are older. Son number one has 1994 Lebarron Convertable, While Son is away in College will work on it Body Work and such to bring it back to like new condition. This eventuallywill become my weekend car as I always wanted a convertable. For the second son, I was able to get a 1993 4dr Subaru Impreza with low mileage very cheap. After new tires, rims, paint, Killer Stereo, rear wing, and Clear Tail lights turned it into impressive non-performance ricer. Once he goes off to college he can do what he wants with it. He has been offered $5,000 for a car that cost about $ 2000 to set up.

 

[tar heel]

My son drives a 1993 Oldsmobile previously owned by a 93-year-old man. We bought it in anticipation of his driving. We're paying for insurance and repairs. Once he gets his license (he has permit now), he will pay for gas. I like Kirby's idea that any insurance increases he causes (tickets, accidents), he will pay for.

It's not a cool car, but it runs well and has only 57,000 miles on it. He goes to the type of high school where there are new SUVs and even a Hummer in the student parking lot. We will not be buying him a better car, however, and I won't co-sign for him to buy one. His primary job is school, and I'm not going to put him in a situation where he is REQUIRED to work regardless of whether he is able to handle both it and school successfully. He has a great part-time job for a kid -- two shifts (usually) a weekend at a 24-screen movie theater with free movies, popcorn and drinks as a benefit. That's enough for spending/ entertainment $, but it would be hard to pay a car payment with it. He also is able to keep up with school, play a sport and work.

We will probably buy a CD player for the car for him for Christmas or his birthday.

 

[Crankyshank]

I paid for my first car with my savings and with a small inheritance. I paid for insurance and gas.

My brother bought his first car with his inheritance and his savings. parents paid for insurance for that car and his second car. he now pays for insurance on his 3rd car (a Yukon Denali he paid cash for). He used to pay for gas until he went to college and my grandparents gave him their gas card, which 4 yrs after graduation he still uses

My parents bought my sister's first car from my brother. they pay for insurance. she pays for gas.