How to convince my mom to let me take a car to college?

Question

OK I'm 18, and I'll be going to college 2 hours away from home. So I need a car because I want to come home at least once a month or so cause it's only 2 hours away. But my mom doesn't want to get me a car, because where my college is, San Diego, there's a lot of trolleys/buses/trains/etc. and I can get around easily. But the the thing is, I absolutely HATE waiting for the bus and it doesn't take you EXACTLY where you need to be. My mom says waiting for the bus will teach me to "be patient." I've been taking the bus since I was in 6th grade and it's only taught me how to get angry! Some reasons I've given her:

1) I want to come home once a month

2) visit friends in nearby cities/colleges

3) What if I buy something bulky or buy a lot of things, am I supposed to carry that with me on the bus?

4) my brother bought me a GPS for my birthday so that I wouldn't get lost in San Diego, and now there's no point having the GPS

5) I want to take road trips outside of San Diego

6) I want to be able to drive up to see my boyfriend every couple weekends (I can't really use this reason for my mom LOL she'll freak out hahahaha)

But i need some more reasons. My mom still isn't convinced. She wants to see how I survive without a car for a month or so but I'm already telling her i'm positive i'm gonna need a car. I need some really good reasons!!! Thanks!

Answer 1

Well as some people are already pointing out... you could get a job and buy your own car... but if you're like me you're too lazy to do that!

Given all those reasons, and your mom's insistence on making you live a few months without the car to see how it goes, it sort of sounds like she's already come to a conclusion or maybe she can't afford the car/insurance for you but just won't admit it.

But maybe that doesn't help... How badly do you want the car?

You could try applying for a job at a location where public transit just isn't available... so for you to work you would have to have a car. Or, if not work, maybe sign up for some sort of gym or other activity that is in a difficult-to-get-to location... again need for the car. Reasons 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 are all selfish, non-necessary reasons for a car (I totally understand, my list is a LOT longer, hehe). You need reasons that are beneficial to your family, beneficial to your growth as a person, or beneficial to other people. Like I already said, a hard-to-reach job or activity is a good reason. If you happen to live in a house/dorm with other people, and it turns out you're the only one with a car, having the car suddenly becomes valuable to the whole group (not just you).

I don't really know much about your college, but say if there's campuses at opposite ends of town, take 1-2 courses at the other campus, then... well... for the sake of having a car, claim that there is no bus/transit schedule that will let you get to/from class at that other campus on time (or maybe it will be truthful... whichever).

I don't know how I could possibly live without my car... I hope you can convince your parents! Good luck.

Answer 2

Well your 18 so you can legally do whatever you want. plus it helps a ton when you need to get to places for school that you cant by any other transportaion. Just say you will be fully responsible for any maintnace that needs to be done and pay for gas.

Answer 3

I felt the same way you did, coming from a suburban area with really bad public transportation.  But in big cities like San Diego, where the public transport is good, it's not necessary.  If you're going to UCSD or SDSU, most freshmen there, especially those living in the dorms, don't have cars, and at some schools like UCLA you aren't even allowed to bring a car to campus unless you're commuting.  

So yeah, not to play devil's advocate or anything, but I strongly suggest you try it out for a while and see how it goes.  Most freshmen in urban colleges in California don't bring cars.  Cars cost a lot of money as well.  Waiting for a quarter or a semester isn't going to kill you.  

Answer 4

Did you tell her your 18, going to college, and old enough to make your own choices?

Answer 5

Not sure your going to be able to convince Mom to see your side of things. My guess is she already knows you will be using it to go see the boyfriend (parents are really a lot smarter than we think) and that's the reason she won't let you have one.  However...since you are 18, and legally an adult, whose to stop you from saving up a little coin and buying yourself a car???  Just a suggestion.

Answer 6

Buy your own car and then you won't have to ask/beg your mom's permission to take the car.  

If you can't afford one, you have to live with her decision...

Answer 7

Tell her that riding public transportation greatly increases your chances of being a rape victim.