Let your kids drive?

[JohnsD90]

I agree with that. I can't stand those kids who basically get everything handed to them and don't appreciate it.

I just get sick and tired of seeing Orange County type kids that have never even loaded a dishwasher much less wash a dish by hand and they get to drive a 3 year old BMW that Daddy bought for them becuase they are so cuuuute! .

2 things, you really get tired of seeing the hot girls driving around in there brand new Bimmers that daddy bought them, the only problem i forsee is if daddy didnt buy them a convertable? I see your thinkin with the wrong head

And you know you would take a new car for free if your father gave you one.

 

[bak3rme]

all i can tell you is...my dad DRILLED me when it came to me learning how to drive. I even got slapped in the face while driving one time. I feel that through all that toughness...I came out a safer better driver.

 

[brian2sun]

2 things, you really get tired of seeing the hot girls driving around in there brand new Bimmers that daddy bought them, the only problem i forsee is if daddy didnt buy them a convertable? I see your thinkin with the wrong head

And you know you would take a new car for free if your father gave you one.

My dad wouldn't give me a new car. That's the point, we aren't that type of people. My dad would make me work for a glass of milk.

Hot chicks in bimmers aren't a bad thing. But when I'm dealing with their lady parts, whoever bought their car isn't a concern anymore. I still think their rich *****es though.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Hot chicks in bimmers aren't a bad thing. But when I'm dealing with their lady parts, whoever bought their car isn't a concern anymore. I still think their rich *****es though.

:lmao:

I bought my 4Runner myself after saving money and getting insurance money. The insurance money, though, was from my old 1987 Mercedes that my dad did give me. He didn't need it, and well I worked hard for it. I did get another, though, as a gift. Even though most would say I fall into the spoiled kid stereotype, there's a reason I spend money on the 4Runner that I bought, and care for it like a child, rather than spend money on the new Mercedes.

The Mercedes just sits and sits. Haven't driven it in weeks aside from moving it. As grateful as anyone can be, the 4Runner is more "mine."

BTW, my kids, when I have them, won't be touching my 4Runner when they get their licenses If I still have it.

Mercedes and BMW's aren't horrible choices for kids if you have the money, mainly for the safety reasons. I do believe though, most kids who have one don't deserve one... especially for their level of knowledge regarding the vehicle. I believe I do not fit into that category since I work on it, pay for it, and work for Mercedes-Benz.

/rant

 

[Gumballf355]

Buy your daughter a honda accord. Cheap, good gas mileage, no learning curve and easy to fixwhen she crashes.

 

[Burt]

No vehicle is teen proof. It would probably do her more good to learn on an older, somewhat unstable vehicle vs. newer vehicle with all the safety nannies. Its important to teach her to respect a vehicle and all its limits and not to fear it. It does boil down to whether or not you think she is a good mature driver. Most importantly teach her to put down the cell phone when behind the wheel and speak up when riding passenger with others who are not driving safe.

I have no children of my own, but this is the way I would approach it.

 

[DaveS]

What about all the devices you can get to monitor their driving/ put limits on speed etc - anyone using anything like that - iirc Ford had something like it

 

[Pikeman]

I agree with Brian in that they need to work through grades or job to to earn and keep their car. I was in sports year round as well as Marching band, Orchestra. I still had a job from age 15. My parents also had me and my siblings paying a portion of the utilities to teeach us fiscal responsibility. I can also say that my first vehicle was a 125cc Enduro motorcycle. My parents rule was that if I wanted a car then I had to have a 3.5 or better. Since I only had a 3.0 and was working they let me get a Motorcycle but restricted it in size(read speed). Dad said "On a motorcycle you can only kill yourself, in a car you can take some friends and others with you when you crash"

OP- Back on topic, I think your 1st Gen Runner is a good learning platform as it will sharpen her driving skills without having all the electronic cheaters. It is also not the most powerfull so will help keep her at a more controlled speed level. The only caviat would be if it was on 35's+ with super flexy suspension. I would maybe suggest 31" or 32" tires while in her possesion. This will help with the stability issues.

 

[SCRunner12]

Just make sure the 1st gen is maintenanced properly and you have good AAA. I used them a good amount with my 1st gen.

 

[JohnsD90]

What about all the devices you can get to monitor their driving/ put limits on speed etc - anyone using anything like that - iirc Ford had something like it

I would rip that sh!t straight out of the car if my parents did that to me. What the hell happened to a little privacy?

 

[Dous]

I would rip that sh!t straight out of the car if my parents did that to me. What the hell happened to a little privacy?

If you were my son and did that I would beat your ass.

Oh ahah, only a joke.

 

[JohnsD90]

If you were my son and did that I would beat your ass.

Try me.

 

[Hepar]

I am a firm believer that the first car has to be earned somehow.

I went to a middle class high school where most kids were given a car at 16. We had a few kids in our class who were definitely in the upper class level. One in particular was given a brand new Acura as her first car. She treated it like trash and it was basically trash within a year. So, they bought her a Lexus to replace it. I don't think it was her fault. I mean if I was raised in an environment where anytime I broke any of my toys, a new on would appear, I would have no clue about how to treat things either.

Another kid from an upper class family was one of my best friends. His parents did the exact same thing as mine. They would match what we brought to the table. We both worked the same job, took the bus and earned our money. He treated his first car like gold just like me.

We also need to do a good job at teaching our kids HOW to drive. Not just the basics. I knew the basics long before my parents taught me (due to late night sneak the car out missions) but when they taught me, they took me to a huge parking lot and had me drive in reverse for a LONG time before we even practices going forward.

The other thing that I think helped me was my parents paid for my insurance up to my first ticket. After the first, I was responsible for the difference. After the 2nd, I was responsible for it all (and yes, by my senior year I was paying for my insurance, so maybe it didn't help a whole lot)

In the end though there's really no substituting experience and maturity. I drove like an idiot for much of my teenage years, thinking that I knew how to drive.

 

[CXS]

I'd let my kids drive mine but they're adults. I agree with making your kids earn the right to drive and pay their way. Both mine learned to drive on an '87 Tercel wagon, not exactly a cool car. It was a 5 speed because we wanted them to be able to drive any car they got in to. We taught them to be responsible and knew they'd face a situation involving alcohol and they understood that if they were faced with a driver who was drinking thst they were expected to take the wheel and get everyone home safely.

When they saved enough to buy a car they paid for the insurance increase on my policy and had to pay for their gas and learn how to maintain the car. My son screwed up and got his license suspended. He had to pay for advanced driver training - Master Drive - before he drove my car or under my insurance. He hasn't had a ticket in the ten years since then.

I'm pleased to say that at 30 and 26 years old that they have thanked us for teaching them to earn and respect what they get and that nobody will be giving them anything, anytime.

IMHO giving a kid a car, paying their insurance and maintaining their car doesn't teach a kid a thing and is a real disservice to them.

 

[Supertrooper4]

It seems like most people nowadays buy or give their children cars when they turn 16. What happened to making your kids get an afterschool job or work around the house to make their own money to buy their own 1st car? That's how it was in my famlily and there's no doubt in my mind, it made me appreciate my 1st car (and every car after that) a lot more.

A lot of people match whatever money their kid has made also so they can get a little nicer ride, but having them work and pay for at least some if not all of their 1st car teaches them a type of responsibility that they will probably never learn otherwise. Teenagers will always value things more and take care of them better when they have to work a little to get it. Just my $.02.

My parents bought my bro the 4Runner, and he gave it to me. All my parents pay for is insurance, not saying thats not alot, but i pay for the gas and everything i do to my rig.....Built not Bought, ha and i have to pay for tickets and stuff.

 

[scanny]

I would rip that sh!t straight out of the car if my parents did that to me. What the hell happened to a little privacy?

Privacy comes when you pay your own money for the car, insurance, tickets etc.