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.