How to convince parents to let me (not them) purchase a car

Question

Ok, I have read so many questions here about 16 year old spoiled kids trying to get their parents to buy them a brand new bmw or mercedes, and i would like to just start off by saying this isnt one of those questions.

Now that I have put that out there, here is my problem. I am 16, have about $7000 saved up already and have a job. There are 4 people in my family, 3 (including me) can drive. We have 3 cars, 2 of which are 13mpg SUV's. I currently drive one of those gas guzzlers, and I have been lucky up to this point by not having to pay for gas, but I suspect with prices rising I will be expected to have to pay for it.

Because of this, I would like to be able to trade in the SUV i drive now, and with my money purchase a more fuel efficient car, that I would enjoy more than this SUV. I won't lie, I also want a slightly faster car, but that is not the main reason why. My dad recently told me that i wasn't going to buy a car until college, even though it is my money. But that does not seem fair since it is my hard earned money. Now I know the world isn't fair by any means, but I think I should be able to do what I want with my money. I know that there are other cost to be considered like insurance, repairs, etc. but I just want to know how I can first get my parents to let me purchase some kind of car with my money, not theirs.

Answer 1

here's a tip - by 2010, gas prices are expected to reach 6 bucks a gallon. your parents will have a miserable time trying to pay for gas. not to mention, cars like the honda civic and toyota corolla are getting very popular because of their high mpg, which means the value for those cars will rise. if your parents wait till college, prices for fuel efficient cars will be a lot higher (civic and corolla will be more expensive). so i'd recommend buying one now, while prices are still pretty cheap. also, tell them you when u buy this fuel efficient car you can allow them to use it for driving like to the supermarket or whatev. just tell them that as a family, you guys should use the smaller car. instead of using the SUVs

this way,

INSURANCE will be less for your parents cars, since they will be driving in it less. when you get a quote, they ask how many miles you drive per year, and that affects the price (when you drive less, you have less chance of an accident, therefore its less expensive.

MAINTENANCE will be less for your parents cars, since they'll be driving them less, there's less chance for something to break down. also, by buying a fuelefficient honda or toyota, those are very reliable and cheap to maintain.

therefore, by buying another small fuel efficient car, you'll save money on gas, insurance, and maintanence. plus, some insurance companies are now giving bonuses for ppl driving cars w 30mpg.

also, as an example, my parents drive SUV'S with avg. 16 mpg. honda civic can avg 36 mpg. with price of gas being about 4.75, we'd save about 3,500 dollars a year JUST ON GAS by using the civic.

im also a 16 yr old boy trying to persuade my parents to get a car, and i told them all of this, and it worked! if this doesnt work on ur parents, then iono what will...

Answer 2

Hi! i am going to have to side with your father on this one. Sorry.

FYI, there are some arguments on waiting with selling/trading those gas guzzlers. The other, more important point is :"I won't lie, I also want a slightly faster car" - please look up whatever statistics you can find on teenagers and fast cars (with and WITHOUT alcohol involved). Save your money for later. Lucky for you, your father sounds like a very decent, caring parent. God bless you both; actually all 4 of you.

Answer 3

Well, if you plan to trade in Dad's SUV, then he will have his say in all this. Plus, you are a minor, so doesn't help your case. I know it's your money, but whenever you need parent's help, you gotta play by their rules.

Answer 4

Sorry, but Dad rules.  Yes, it is your money, but you won't be able to get a very good car for only $7,000.  Your maintenance costs alone will eat up any gas money you would be saving.

You are complaining about it being a gas guzzler, yet you don't pay for the gas... You can also look at how you are driving, since that contributes alot to how much gas you consume.  

Sorry, but I'm with your parents on this one.  They would have to insure another vehicle if you bought one, and that will cost alot more than what they spend for gas.  Plus, in two years when you do go off to school, it will need to be replaced (or getting close) anyway.

Answer 5

Just some good info for you.  You must be 18 to buy a car.  You must be 18 to enter into a legal binding contract.