Buying A Car For A Teenager?

Question

How much would you spend if you decided that your teen deserved and/or needed a car (school, work, ect.)? The maximum, minimum prices?

Thanks xoxo

Answer 1

That answer depends on the income and ability to pay of the parent.   The parent should pay only what they can comfortably afford, and if they have more than one kid, they should consider if they could or would be willing to do it a second or third time.

Answer 2

about 10,000 if they are just learning to drive but no more than 20,000 if they are experienced.

Answer 3

When I was 16 my parents bought me a $600 beater. When I was 17, they bought a new car for themselves and let me drive one of their old ones, which was still pretty nice. When I was 19 that they leased me a new car. After the lease was up obviously it was time for me to take care of that on my own :-)

Anyhow my opinion is that you could get a beater (as long as it runs decently) for less than $1000, or if your kid is responsible enough and truly "deserving" (ie - no trouble, good grades, etc), you could get a brand new car for them if money wasn't an issue. Although age may be a factor, too. I am not sure I would get a brand new driver a brand new car. But maybe for high school graduation (again, if the kid was responsible and graduated with a high GPA etc).

Oh and I agree with the person who said have the kid save money and then match that amount. That is a good idea for teaching responsibility and making sure what they have is appreciated. They are more likely to take better care of it, if it was their money going into it, too.

Answer 4

if its a new car, go for about 10,000-15,000. mazda has great cars for first-timers

Answer 5

I wouldn't spend more than three grand. Teenagers are scientifically proven to be terrible drivers. Likely you will get in some sort of fender bender so there's no need to spend a huge amount of money on something that will get damaged.

Answer 6

I would get a good, used, 5-7 year old car like a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla in a basic trim level.  That way, it's not a heap, but it doesn't scream "daddy's Money".  your job is to make sure it's mechanically sound and in good shape.  Don't go for anything that's fast or holds a lot of people.  If your teen wants to pimp it up, he/she can upgrade the stereo.

Answer 7

My kids will be paying for their own cars.  

1. We won't be able to afford to make such a big purchase for our children.

2. Even if we can afford it, it's not necessary, and the kids need to learn the value of money.

3. If a child pays for his/her own car they respect it more and hopefully will be more responsible for it.

I can't believe how many parents shell out thousands of dollars on their kids.  I am actually glad that my mom didn't as it taught me so much.

Answer 8

Honestly, I'd spend as much as I had to to get my child into a good car. Just because they are just starting to drive doesn't mean that they should be driving an old clunker. If anything it should be opposite. They need up to date front, side, passenger, and overhead airbags in case anything happens. OnStar or some other such service is also a good thing to have because in case something happens you know there will be help on the way.

I think gas is an important thing too. I didn't have to pay for my gas when I lived with my parents, but I know that many parents will expect their child to do this, so find a car that has good gas mileage and accepts 85 octane. My first car was a Land Rover Freelander--it only took premium gas and even though I wasn't paying for the gas I still cringed when I went to fill up every time.

Another expense to consider is auto insurance. Boys cost more on auto insurance than girls, so that's one thing to think about. Also some cars cost more than others. For example the Honda Accord or Toyota Prius are both nice, safe cars, but they cost a lot for insurance because the primary drivers of these vehicles are teens, and teens tend to get into more accidents. If you can manage to swing the money, then go ahead and buy a car like this, but just be forewarned. You should be able to find a list of the typical insurance price for different vehicles online.

I got my car when I turned 16 as a birthday present (It was a few years old, and my dad had bought it used for himself, but hey, a car is a car!). After about 2 years the brakes started to go out, and after getting them repaired ($5000) later, my dad decided to get me a Christmas/ early college graduation present. We traded in the Freelander for the safest car we could find, A Honda CR-V. The great things about Honda is that they are safe, sturdy, good looking, and they retain their value better than many other cars (which is good for in a few years when you get a new one and want to trade up).

If when my daughter gets to the driving age and we think that she deserves a car, then we will probably spend no less than $1400 because its hard to find a reliable, safe car cheaper than that. But I'm not going to buy her a BMW or a Volvo or anything like that. If she decides that she does want a car like that, instead of a simple Honda or Toyota or something, then we will probably make a deal with her, that we will pay some of the price f the car, she will pay the rest---But we won't let her work while she's in school, at that point in time, her job is school, nothing else.

Sorry I was so long-winded. Best of luck. I know this won't work for everyone, but it's what worked for me when I was younger, and I'm hoping it will work for my daughter as well.

Answer 9

If you have a Responsible,Respectful Kid who gets and keeps good grades,shows responsibility in their actions and choice of friends and is trustworthy...then I would spend as much as I could afford....but he/she should be made to pay for the upkeep (as mentioned,it teaches responsibility)

Answer 10

I would say you should buy them a used car, I am assuming that they have a pretty low salary, so excuse my ignorance if I am wrong. But since you probably have a higher salary, I think you should buy a used car for them. I would suggest a used toyota corolla for $6,000

You can tell them to pay for costs like gasoline and all the repairs and maintanance needed, and those are all of their responsibilities.

That will teach them that having a car is a responsibility while also not making them pay for the car, because it is probably hard for teenagers to afford that much money with most of their salary. They could use it for going into a good university

Answer 11

my first car was nearly £500, but it was a piece of junk spend a little extra and look around for a good deal x

Answer 12

3000-5000$ for a big, reliable and cheap to run car. I'm thinking something japanese or a volvo. VWs are always too expensive.

They ARE going to scratch this car. They are VERY likely to have a crash.

Don't buy a new or pretty car. It's a waste. First the teenager needs to learn how to drive.

Answer 13

My family bought a car for 10k when I was right after I turned 15, with the understanding that it would end up being mine. It was used, and got good gas mileage, and the whole family used it. If the car is more expensive, it should be more versatile.

Answer 14

Well you know if you think he derserves a car I say splurge and masybe go to the max of 3000 , and the min. of 1500. That can buy an okay used car.

Hope this helps...

Answer 15

I think that would all depend on how much you want to indulge in spending on your child's first car. When I was 16 my dad bought me my first car. I ended up getting hit by a drunk driver a month later and was car-less again. He bought me a 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme SL. He paid $3,000 for it. I'm 20 now and have bought 2 cars since then and one car with my husband. We only have one car now but are actually looking for a second at the moment for me to use to drive to work. We currently own a 2006 Hyundai Sonata which we got without the help of our parents. The first car I bought after I was 18 was a 2004 Suzuki Verona, bad car. We gave it up after a few months for the Sonata because we found out it was a lemon. We had the car in the shop after a few weeks of owning it. Then we bought a 2000 Volvo S80 T6 for me and sold it to my husbands best friend because he got a divorce and his wife took their car. Anyway! I think that around $3,000 to maybe $5,000 should be a fair price. Keep in mind that the car just needs to be good enough to get from point A to point B. I learned responsibility on my own and practically didn't have a car as a teenager. Only for a month of my teenage hood anyway. I moved out when I was 18 and bought all the rest of the cars I have owned without any help from anybody. :) So like I said before, it really just depends on how much you want to go out and spend on them. Most of the time teens wreck their first cars anyway, whether it is their fault or not, so buying one cheap car to get them started is the best way to go. I hope this helps!

Answer 16

I'd ask them to save money and then I'd double it for them.

It teaches them responsiblity and saves some of your money.

It also gives them room to be more independent as they'll get to pick their own car out. (They made half the money)

Answer 17

not more than 600-1300...used car...who cares what it looks like...buy it and make them support the upkeep, it will teach them responsibility.

i recieved a hand me down 84 honda as 1st car in 1999 and let me tell you it wasnt the hottest car but it got me where i was going and i treated it like gold.

Answer 18

I would only give my kid a car if they needed it. I would only spend enough so that the car is cheap, not terribly good looking but must be very safe to drive. I'd pay out more for safety and wouldn't worry about the price when it comes to that. I can't give prices because I live on an island in the Caribbean and wouldn't be much help there.

Now, answer my question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 19

This all depends on the amount of money available in the household, or what the teen him/herself can raise, or has in the bank to spend, doesn't it?

Overall, most teens would do better without a car, as it's like a dependent, a "big" baby to take care of.  Feed it, clean it, insure it, and protect it.  Takes valuable time and money away from other priorities of being a teen.

Your enemies may try to vandalize it, and it's a target for thief, is it's too pricey.

The average teenager will have to  spend a minimum of about $100 just for car insurance, and that's if the car sets in the driveway, never going anywhere else.

Wouldn't it make sense to rent a car for weekends, or even use the metro, or phone for a cab, if you cannot borrow the family car?

AND, If your parents won't  let you borrow the family car, how can you be trusted with your own car?

Unless you need it to get to work, a car is a "pricey" luxury for a teenager, and often leads to either their early death, injury, or dropping out of school due to stress of caring for the car, when they should have been caring for their education.

But, to answer your question, buy a scooter for transportation, that will be less than $600.

IF you just got to have a car, keep it under $3,000, so you won't have to by comprehensive insurance, and would only need liability insurance.  This will cut your insurance payments by about 1/3rd.

Answer 20

My first car was 16,000 big mistake. I ended up wrecking it, running over curbs, it got keyed by enemies, egged, and a lot more. I would look into something that is dependable, good on gas, not more then 5,000. Also look into something like an older honda, toyota. For now get them something inexpensive. Be sure you take it to a mechanic before its purchased. Also this is there training bike and once they get good at it they can look it a big bike(nicer car). Maybe a good present for graduation. A good way to start college.

Answer 21

I would spend around 5000 on the vehicle if I could afford it.  Anything more and it sends the wrong message.  Most jobs are not going to recoup that much in a year for a part time worker any ways.

Answer 22

Well, what can you afford to pay, I don't know your budget. If money is no object, buy him whatever he wants. If you're tight on cash, get the best car you can afford.

Answer 23

That depends on the financial situation of the parents, obviously.  My parents could barely afford to buy their own car so I never got one.  My husband and I are much better off than my own parents so we plan to buy our teenagers a car for their 16th birthday.  We'll spend about $3000-$4000.  We can afford to do it, our kids are hard workers and they don't get a lot of "stuff" in their everyday lives.  We know we have done a good job of instilling work ethic into them so we are excited to give them such a big, unexpected gift!

Answer 24

I would spend $1000-3000 on the car BUT my son would have to have a job to put his own gas in the car and pay for at least 1/2 the insurance and rules put into place.. I know people that think kids should be kids and not have to work until they are done with school but that leaves them too much party time and doesn't teach them any kind of responsibility.

Answer 25

well im not a mother but..i would figure just around $3000-$5000..whatever you can afford..i know that may be a little steep for a first car,but you dont want something cheap that is already banged up and you would also want something safe because it is a real possiblilty that they will get into a crash!! remember no small cars!!!!!!

be safe and good luck

Answer 26

For a teen's first car, I would spend between $2,000 & $4,000.  You can get a very reliable, safe car in this price range.  We have very good, smart taste in cars, and my husband has had a wonderful Q45 Infinity, of which he bought for $3,000!  Above all, you need to look for safety and good price.  As long as a car is taken well care of, then milage should not be a huge factor.    If your teen shows responsibility by the end of their Senior Year in High School and through their Freshman year in College, then you can probably go on to get something a little newer with lower miles.  Don't by a "Lemon", do your research!  Good luck and be sure to stress to your kids to drive safe with responsibility!