Boys first vehicle…..

[omicron1792]

My kids did also.
They bought their own vehicles.

Awesome. Good for you. Sounds like you’re very proud of it.

 

[missjordan]

I am anti beater for a kids first car. I had a beater for my first car and it was horrifically unsafe. Had the death wobble when you would put it on the highway and the brakes were not reliable either at higher speeds. I can’t believe i didn’t die or get into an accident in that thing to be honest.

I would buy something reliable and safe at the age of vehicle you think is appropriate. And it’s hard if you’re not mechanically inclined when cars are older and have high mileage. Get a car fax to verify a used cars history is correct and hopefully everything works out.


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[Theringworm]

I have 4 kids, oldest now is 21, youngest soon to be 12. In 2019 I bought an 07 Lexus IS250 for $12k. It had 63,000 miles on it. The two reasons I bought it were, the price, and the fact that they are extremely reliable. Brother had the same year with 300k miles on it. I called it the “learner”. The intention is that it would last long enough so that all 4 of my kids could use it to drive while in high school. If it did break down, it did so at home and we could easily get it fixed and make accommodations while getting repaired. So far, so good. Only have replaced a timing belt and a water pump. Despite my 17 yo currently doing his best to kill it, it’s looking promising that my plan will work.

The deal I made with them was this. Learn to drive in this car. Try to respect it, take care of it etc. If it does however get dinged or damaged it’s not the end of the world I likely won’t destroy you as I would if driving a new car. I do not think any 16 yo should ever be given a brand new car. When you go to college I will buy you a new vehicle of my choosing, considering your input though, make you the co-signer on it but I will own 100% of it. If you maintain good grades and don’t screw off and get in your trouble, I’ll sign over the title to you when you graduate. If you don’t make good grades, or get in trouble I immediately take possession of the vehicle. I figured what better gift to give than what would then be a 4 year old car by the time they graduate with many good reliable years to follow. The peace of mind that they are in a new reliable vehicle far away from home helps the Mrs., and I sleep at night.

Everyone is in a different situation though, so each and everyone’s situation are all drastically different, financially, geographically, etc. No right or wrong here. But I would never give a 16 yo a brand new vehicle, even if money was no object. The law of averages says the odds of them wrecking it is not in their favor.

One caveat to all of this. With inflation, it does cost more to make repairs on older vehicles, and therefore it’s more to insure than many new vehicles. I wasn’t expecting that, but it’s a fact at least where we live.

 

[intunegp]

Can't even wrap my head around buying a $30,000 truck for a 15 year old and thinking you weren't spoiling him because some other kids at his school might have nicer newer cars. To me that's the same mindset as the guy worth $3 billion feeling poor when he hangs out with his friend that's worth $20 billion.

Maybe you've got it so that $30k is a drop out of your bucket and it will satisfy you to see your kid riding pretty in a super nice truck, but personally I can't imagine how much I'd have to be worth to consider buying my teenager such a nice/expensive vehicle. Just doesn't seem like there's any reason for it.

A lot of conversation in this thread makes it seem like the two options are unsafe, falling apart beater or brand new. There's plenty of options in between.

 

[mt terry d]

Awesome. Good for you. Sounds like you’re very proud of it.

No. It's just part of their job in becoming responsible adults.

 

[The_Jim]

I think it really depends on your kid. If he’s into hick shit it’s probably a bad idea - he’s eventually going to want to test that 4x4

I got a Ford escort and was really hard on that. I bought myself a truck a year later and was much nicer to that - but I still managed to run into a tree “mudding” in a park in the puddle of town.

 

[Felix40]

A lot of conversation in this thread makes it seem like the two options are unsafe, falling apart beater or brand new. There's plenty of options in between.

This is very true. The first post from the OP says a “$10k beater”. There’s a ton of vehicles in the $7-10k range that I wouldn’t consider beaters. I paid $13k for my wife’s car and $15k for my truck and they are both the nicest, newest vehicles we have ever owned. For my kid, I would probably be shopping in that $5k range. It would be good for him to learn how to fix minor stuff and build some character.

Just search “4x4” on marketplace and filter to manual transmission. Theres some sweet older vehicles out there.

 

[ORJoe]

Why does he need a truck to help you out with chores when you have a truck?

 

[98XJRC]

First car I bought was a 94 Ford Probe. I totaled the thing a week and a half after I got my drivers license. I then got a 92 Toyota Paseo with a 5 speed manual. I beat the piss out of that car and all 92 hp that 4 cyl had.

What I'm saying is I understand the desire to have a vehicle that doesn't have reliability issues, however being aware that no matter who the kid is they will either wreck or mechanically destroy their first couple of vehicles. I'm not saying there aren't exceptions to the standard, but odds are against you. If your set on a truck finding an older high mileage vehicle would serve better until he's proven that he can drive properly and also take care of the vehicle.

 

[omicron1792]

No. It's just part of their job in becoming responsible adults.

I disagree. Plenty of time for them to work for money. I’ll let them stay kids for a bit longer. More time teaching them to hunt.

Of note, I started working at 12 pressure washing and at 14 at a car dealership. I bought my own car for 3000. Was the most unsafe ride a kid could have. We are all a product of our experiences.

 

[Marshfly]

There are different opinions, of course.

I don't regret buying my children safe and reliable vehicles. I started with a beater myself, but I could afford to buy them solid economy cars. Those cars took them through college.

One of my daughter's car got totaled when she was hit on the interstate. Totally the other persons fault, but she spun several times and was hit on all sides. The other hit a deer. Neither suffered significant injuries, but both were pretty scared after. The airbags deployed.

The cars don't have to be expensive, but safe and reliable are very important if you can afford them. I never had to worry about their cars breaking down.

Totally agree with all of this living in a similar place as you.

A lot of guys posting in this thread live in southern areas without snow. I won't say what I just bought my kid for his first car because my finances are not your finances. But it's got a ton of airbags, full time 4wd, is an suv so he can see over and around stuff in traffic, and nice enough that he can be proud of it. Happens to be 12 years old.

Having him in a safe vehicle was number 1. That meant full time 4wd or awd, good visibility, and large enough that if he got in a wreck with something like my F350 he'd at least have a chance. It took a little bit more than crap car money to get that.

 

[displacedtexan]

I am anti beater for a kids first car. I had a beater for my first car and it was horrifically unsafe. Had the death wobble when you would put it on the highway and the brakes were not reliable either at higher speeds. I can’t believe i didn’t die or get into an accident in that thing to be honest.

I would buy something reliable and safe at the age of vehicle you think is appropriate. And it’s hard if you’re not mechanically inclined when cars are older and have high mileage. Get a car fax to verify a used cars history is correct and hopefully everything works out.


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I sold a truck that had been totaled twice with a clean Carfax. At least one other wreck, several blown turbos, a couple sets of head gaskets... I beat on that truck like it owed me money, but the body and interior were real clean.

I'm general I think a kids first vehicle should be in between a beater and something nice.

Anything can be hot rodded and driven crazy.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Really depends on the kid IMO. If its going to get thrashed on like only a 16 year old can do.... Might as well start out with a beater rig, as it will be turned into one in no time.

A guy can round up a fairly decent toyota or 3/4-1 ton pickup for $7k-$10k without having to look to hard. I sure wouldnt spend more than that on a kids first car.

 

[McCrapper]

My kids will be getting our hand me down vehicles in the next 6-7 years. Oldest son will get either the 2020 Tundra or wifes 2013 Land Cruiser both will have 200k plus by then, wife will get a new car. Daughter will probably end up with my 2024 F-350 Tremor, with 300k miles on it. I'm not putting my kids in economy cars so they can take the worse end of an accident.

 

[Ucsdryder]

My kids will be getting our hand me down vehicles in the next 6-7 years. Oldest son will get either the 2020 Tundra or wifes 2013 Land Cruiser both will have 200k plus by then, wife will get a new car. Daughter will probably end up with my 2024 F-350 Tremor, with 300k miles on it. I'm not putting my kids in economy cars so they can take the worse end of an accident.

That’s one way to look at it. Or you could consider the fact that the stopping distance on an f350 is 162 feet and a corolla (economy car mentioned) is 119 feet. Also, new drivers who are inexperienced are much more likely to over correct if a dog runs in front of them. That f350 is a rollover magnet in the wrong hands. Let’s face it, the chances of a 16 year old getting in an accident that’s self induced is MUCH higher, plenty of statistics to back that up. Putting them in a vehicle they can’t handle is just making it worse.

It’s like the stupid caliber debates on here. Just because it will work, doesn’t make it the best choice. No need to go from 1 extreme to the other, f350 to economy. Find a happy balance.

Edit to add… what happens when she drives that f350 up someone’s ass?

 

[McCrapper]

That’s one way to look at it. Or you could consider the fact that the stopping distance on an f350 is 162 feet and a corolla (economy car mentioned) is 119 feet. Also, new drivers who are inexperienced are much more likely to over correct if a dog runs in front of them. That f350 is a rollover magnet in the wrong hands. Let’s face it, the chances of a 16 year old getting in an accident that’s self induced is MUCH higher, plenty of statistics to back that up. Putting them in a vehicle they can’t handle is just making it worse.

It’s like the stupid caliber debates on here. Just because it will work, doesn’t make it the best choice. No need to go from 1 extreme to the other, f350 to economy. Find a happy balance.

Edit to add… what happens when she drives that f350 up someone’s ass?

If all they have driven are larger vehicles then they will learn when to stop and how to adjust accordingly. Allowing your kids to drive trailers, spin a little bit in the rain, tool around the ranch in the mud, and let them experience real world driving scenarios with proper supervision makes a difference. I've probably hit 20 plus deer in my life, its an epidemic where I live. She will get the chance to learn about overcorrecting.

You are suggesting I'm buying the truck for her to keep her safe, I'm not. I'm teaching her how to drive on a much larger vehicle, that's it. She will learn all the ends and outs on what it takes to operate it safely and have many hours behind the wheel before she is 16. Then just like all parents we will hope for the best. It is also 10 years from now so many things could change.

To answer your last question, what happens when any modern cars crash? The larger one wins.

 

[loganwayne]

My first vechicle was my papaws trash truck. 91 ranger same age as I was but in mint condition. I wanted a 4wd truck for going skiing and getting in the woods. Parents told me to get a job and buy one... so I did. They gave my sister a car and she wrecked it and they gave her another, and another.

I paid my way though college, have a house family and little debit to my name.... she hasn't had a real job yet. Couple 100k in school debit and been divorced and running from debit collectors.

Not saying this is the case for everyone but having to work for things teaches alot more respect for money and their things then giving it to them.

 

[eric1115]

I have to go on a mini rant here.

If you put your kid in a full size (especially ¾ or 1 ton) "for their safety" you are a selfish asshole (or maybe more diplomatically, you are contributing to the problems you are recognizing and trying to solve for). It results in a world where everyone with means puts their kid it the biggest worst handling turd of a truck they can, and the rest of us are SOL.

Putting the demographic most likely to run into someone else into a vehicle that stops slower, steers worse, and blocks visibility for others, specifically because it's big and heavy and going to win in a collision (ie crush whatever is being driven by the poor sap they ran into) is borderline immoral. You're dramatically increasing the chance that they'll crash into someone, and dramatically increasing the chance that when they do it kills the person on the other end.

The last thing a kid needs when learning to drive is a sense of invincibility.

Rant over.
To the OP, I'm definitely in the "buy something older and learn to work on it" camp, but I do get the desire for something newer and more reliable. I think you'll help your kid build skills, confidence, and resilience if you allow them to learn to figure out how to fix things that break, and first car is the perfect vehicle for that skill set.

Nobody's born with the knowledge to fix things, and there has never ever been a better time to learn how to fix stuff. Dryer needs a new heating element? Car has a bad alternator? Toilet has a leaky flapper? Chainsaw keeps bogging down? YouTube for the diagnosis and repair process and Google for the parts.

I think we as a culture shield our kids from adversity too much. Struggle and adversity builds resilience and security. The kids who were given the easiest time and the nicest stuff early on rarely turn out to be the most thankful, kind, and healthy balance of confident/humble/secure people in my experience.

I didn't intend for the second half of that to be another rant, but it kind of turned out that way. Now, rant over.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I have to go on a mini rant here.

If you put your kid in a full size (especially ¾ or 1 ton) "for their safety" you are a selfish asshole (or maybe more diplomatically, you are contributing to the problems you are recognizing and trying to solve for). It results in a world where everyone with means puts their kid it the biggest worst handling turd of a truck they can, and the rest of us are SOL.

Putting the demographic most likely to run into someone else into a vehicle that stops slower, steers worse, and blocks visibility for others, specifically because it's big and heavy and going to win in a collision (ie crush whatever is being driven by the poor sap they ran into) is borderline immoral. You're dramatically increasing the chance that they'll crash into someone, and dramatically increasing the chance that when they do it kills the person on the other end.

The last thing a kid needs when learning to drive is a sense of invincibility.

Rant over.
To the OP, I'm definitely in the "buy something older and learn to work on it" camp, but I do get the desire for something newer and more reliable. I think you'll help your kid build skills, confidence, and resilience if you allow them to learn to figure out how to fix things that break, and first car is the perfect vehicle for that skill set.

Nobody's born with the knowledge to fix things, and there has never ever been a better time to learn how to fix stuff. Dryer needs a new heating element? Car has a bad alternator? Toilet has a leaky flapper? Chainsaw keeps bogging down? YouTube for the diagnosis and repair process and Google for the parts.

I think we as a culture shield our kids from adversity too much. Struggle and adversity builds resilience and security. The kids who were given the easiest time and the nicest stuff early on rarely turn out to be the most thankful, kind, and healthy balance of confident/humble/secure people in my experience.

I didn't intend for the second half of that to be another rant, but it kind of turned out that way. Now, rant over.

You wrote what we all thought…. Well said.

 

[HuntHarder]

I'll fall into the camp of get him the nicer pickup you talked about. When I turned 16, my parents gave me 10k to buy whatever I wanted. I chose a 95 Toyota Tacoma 4x4. It Would have been roughly 5 years old when I purchased it. Lots of great times, hunting and fishing were spent in that pickup.

I had to pay insurance, fuel and upkeep. Some think 10k gift at 16 doesn't teach kids anything, maybe I'm an outlier. I am one of the more financial savvy guys in my circle. On track to retire early, with good savings. My kids are still young, but in 7 years I will have to make the same decision you are faced with. I am sure I will do something similar to what my parents did.