Carver

So, we're going to talk first cars eh? Mine was a 15 year old Plymouth in tan of course. I'm pretty sure all first cars had to be tan in those days. My dad gave it to me but it wasn't much of a sacrifice on his part. He owned a wrecking yard and this was just parts fodder that got diverted to me for it's last days as a running automobile.

We lived on a long sloping hill and at night I would park the Plymouth head out so I could push it out of the driveway and get a rolling start, hop in, turn the key on and pop the clutch to get it running for the day. If it was a cold day it might not start by the time I got to the bottom so I had to trudge back up the hill and beg a ride to school.

I had many firsts in that car and the second most memorable was driving to my job as a stockboy at the local five and dime, parking MY car and going to work to earn the money for gas and the incredible amounts of oil that car burned. I was an ecosystem! I began to see the future, I was no longer a child. I had become a functioning member of society!

That first car really is a big deal.

silkiechic

Speaking from experience, nothing wrong with getting a nice car when you're 17 and it won't throw everyone off the deep end or make them think they don't have to work hard.

Dad bought me my red sc300 back in 2004, gave me a gas card, insured it and I still baby and maintain the thing as I did the first day I had it if not better.

I kept my grades up and graduated with a single A- short of a 4.0. Then got into a nice bioengineering program at U of Washington that I was able to finish on time in 4 years with departmental distinction and *** lade. Now on to a full ride Molecular and Cellular PhD program with a 3.94 and am very close to having a second manuscript published near the end of my 3rd year.

It's been 7 years with the car, no accidents, no speeding tickets, no mishaps with the vehicle. Granted, I did do an awesome donut in the driveway the first winter with the car, but my dad was sitting in the car with me. LOL

As stated earlier, the only thing getting a nice car first is that it does make you not want anything less, and for me at least, keeps me working hard so I can make sure I can hopefully afford not to have anything less!

Congrats to your daughter and I'm happy for her new toy! I remember what it was like, and it was frickin' sweet!!!

lex_rx

My first car was a 10 year old Toyota camry when I was 27 years old! Now MDS who will be driving soon will probably take the 2004 RX from me and I will most likely end up driving another 10 year old camry. Déjà vu.

Of course, he would have to maintain a 95% average. That should be a good deal, right?

phlfly

Of course it's nothing wrong to give your child a good and expensive car. (cars from 10,000 and up)
But I think it should not happening during high school time. I think it's too early, in my opinion kids should not be driving at 16 y.o. There is no reason for this. Bus is best transportation to and from school. If child is working, parents can spend 30 min of their time to drop or pick up from work.
It's not a secret in the same HS, some kids from wealthy family and some from poor. So kids should be equal at least in HS. It's sound like socialist crap, but kids see that, they are just kids, a lot questions raise in their undeveloped brain.

silkiechic

It would be nice if kids were equal in HS, but I'm pretty everyone knows long before then that there are poor/rich kids. Why hide a reality they must grow up into?

Depending on which group they roll with and how mature they are should determine if they get a car or not. If they aren't ready, they aren't ready. If they are, let them have at it and loose it if they show otherwise. Shoot, my little brother is now 23 and my parents have STILL not gotten him a car... and he has not taken initiative to do anything for himself. Dad's little girl here was more mature then than he is now and that has been reflected in the freedoms we have been able to have.

Looks like the OP determined their daughter was ready and deserving of a shiny new car!

RX330inFL

It is also neat that with today's tech you can put an app on the kids phone to prevent them from texting or calling while they are in motion and you can check the NAV to see where they were at on their trip. Big Brother tools for parents.

The first car the folks helped me get was a new Subaru 4x4 Wagon. No AC, 4 speed stick, AM/FM mono radio. Was a cheap box on wheels and slow. But it got me through big snows in PA, was easy on gas, and stored all the gear I needed when traveling off to college. Being in the Army Reserves allowed me to park it on campus at State College. When in HS the folks did not have to be bothered about taking me to practices or places I wanted to go which were no short distances. Am sure they appreciated the break from those trips as well.

BrianEddin

great car. she will love it.