Opinions Needed

[Tiger Six]

Ok, long story short, oldest chld turns 15 about the time I get back from Iraq.  He has already started driving on a VERY limited basis and will be taking Driver's Ed next semester. 

We want to go ahead and get him a car/truck, so he can get used to driving whatever he will drive when he turns 16.  Our options are:

a)  Give him my car, which is a 2007 Honda Civic, and I buy myself a new one.

b)  Find him a small used truck and buy it.

c)  Buy my nephew's truck (full size 2003 Chevy 4WD) at a very good price.

I am leaning toward c.  We know the history of the vehicle and will be getting a great deal. 

Is it advisable to give a kid this type of vehicle?  He is pretty mature, but if he is anything like his dad, he will do something stupid in a vehicle like that. 

Opine.   

[AUTailgatingRules]

Ok, long story short, oldest chld turns 15 about the time I get back from Iraq.  He has already started driving on a VERY limited basis and will be taking Driver's Ed next semester. 

We want to go ahead and get him a car/truck, so he can get used to driving whatever he will drive when he turns 16.  Our options are:

a)  Give him my car, which is a 2007 Honda Civic, and I buy myself a new one.

b)  Find him a small used truck and buy it.

c)  Buy my nephew's truck (full size 2003 Chevy 4WD) at a very good price.

I am leaning toward c.  We know the history of the vehicle and will be getting a great deal. 

Is it advisable to give a kid this type of vehicle?  He is pretty mature, but if he is anything like his dad, he will do something stupid in a vehicle like that. 

Opine.   

I've always thought that right now if I was in the same position I would do the following:

I would buy him one of those KIA small suv's.  It comes with a 100,000 mile warranty and should get him all the way through high school and college.  Then he can go get his own car after graduation.  My parents got me a fairly unreliable cheap car in high school and then had to get me a cheap new one for college (Dodge Colt).  If they had gotten me a decent new one in high school it would have ended up being cheaper in the long run.

[wesfau2]

Ok, long story short, oldest chld turns 15 about the time I get back from Iraq.  He has already started driving on a VERY limited basis and will be taking Driver's Ed next semester. 

We want to go ahead and get him a car/truck, so he can get used to driving whatever he will drive when he turns 16.  Our options are:

a)  Give him my car, which is a 2007 Honda Civic, and I buy myself a new one.

b)  Find him a small used truck and buy it.

c)  Buy my nephew's truck (full size 2003 Chevy 4WD) at a very good price.

I am leaning toward c.  We know the history of the vehicle and will be getting a great deal. 

Is it advisable to give a kid this type of vehicle?  He is pretty mature, but if he is anything like his dad, he will do something stupid in a vehicle like that. 

Opine.   

(b) is the correct answer.

Think back to when you were 16 and invincible.  What would you have done with a full sized 4wd?  He will do more...much more.

[Tiger Six]

(b) is the correct answer.

Think back to when you were 16 and invincible.  What would you have done with a full sized 4wd?  He will do more...much more.

That seems to be the popular theory. 

Let's see, 16...

That was about the time automobiles were invented.

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

(b) is the correct answer.

Think back to when you were 16 and invincible.  What would you have done with a full sized 4wd?  He will do more...much more.

Agree with the Destin Lawyer.  A graduation gift might be an upgrade if he behaves.  

[Ogre]

I'd be selfish and go for (a).  The Civic will last him through high school and should last him through college if well maintained.  

Plus, a Civic gets you all kind of street cred.  Just ask jumbo or Thrilla.  

You've been serving the country, therefore you deserve a new vehicle.

[Kaos]

We gave my daughter a brand new car when she turned 16.  Don't know that I would do that again.  

BTW, Dave Ramsey says you should buy something for cash and tell him to drive the wheels off it.  But make sure you get him something he won't be ashamed to pick up the lady in or he's driving YOUR new car on every date.

[Tarheel]

Ok, long story short, oldest chld turns 15 about the time I get back from Iraq.  He has already started driving on a VERY limited basis and will be taking Driver's Ed next semester. 

We want to go ahead and get him a car/truck, so he can get used to driving whatever he will drive when he turns 16.  Our options are:

a)  Give him my car, which is a 2007 Honda Civic, and I buy myself a new one.

b)  Find him a small used truck and buy it.

c)  Buy my nephew's truck (full size 2003 Chevy 4WD) at a very good price.

I am leaning toward c.  We know the history of the vehicle and will be getting a great deal. 

Is it advisable to give a kid this type of vehicle?  He is pretty mature, but if he is anything like his dad, he will do something stupid in a vehicle like that. 

Opine.   

I'd suggest d.) Give him your car (it's sensible, safe, fuel-efficient, will last a while) then buy your nephew's truck for yourself.

[chinook]

i know this wasn't an option listed but what about making him purchase a portion of the vehicle?

that was the agreement i had with my parents some 20 years ago.  i would like to say it gave me pride and responsibility.  

[AUTailgatingRules]

How about you just let Obama buy him the car.  Maybe even the gas too.

[ssgaufan]

I would go with a.  My wife and I are planning this out now for my oldest two kids.  My truck will be paid off when he turns 16 so it becomes his, and her vehicle will be paid off when my oldest daughter turns 16 so it becomes hers.  Then we both get a new ride.   :thumbsup:

[Tarheel]

I'd suggest d.) Give him your car (it's sensible, safe, fuel-efficient, will last a while) then buy your nephew's truck for yourself.

In hindsight that may not be the best reward for your hard work overseas but with The Obama's regime arising it might be best to keep your debts down.

[Pell City Tiger]

I'd be selfish and go for (a).  The Civic will last him through high school and should last him through college if well maintained. 

Plus, a Civic gets you all kind of street cred.  Just ask jumbo or Thrilla. 

You've been serving the country, therefore you deserve a new vehicle.

My vote as well.

[Jumbo]

I'd be selfish and go for (a).  The Civic will last him through high school and should last him through college if well maintained.  

Plus, a Civic gets you all kind of street cred.  Just ask jumbo or Thrilla.  

You've been serving the country, therefore you deserve a new vehicle.

When I pull up in the Civic I get respect, go with A!

[Saniflush]

Give him the Civic. 

Get yourself a new pimp sled.

***Side Note***  His driving has gotten much better since I started working with him on weekends.

[Buzz Killington]

I would go with C.  Mainly because bigger = safer in most cases.  Just make sure you threaten him with his life if he uses the 4WD and it is not snowing...

[JohnDeere]

I would definetly go with a used car.....when something breaks on it, let him learn how to fix it or learn how to come up with funds to get it fixed.

[wesfau2]

***Side Note***  His driving has gotten much better since I started working with him on weekends.

"Sometimes when I get up in the morning, Big Earn is already here!"

[Saniflush]

"Sometimes when I get up in the morning, Big Earn is already here!"

"Jonathan, run a fly pattern all the way to the goal line. Tennessee! Kentucky! Find the meat! Uh, deeper, Jonathan."

[Tiger Six]

***Side Note***  His driving has gotten much better since I started working with him on weekends.

You're a giver.