How nice (or not) of a car do/would you buy your children?
 

I was talking about an old LS400 being a good first car then I started to wonder what you all here do with your kids.

I don't have kids, if I did I would buy them nice but not brand new cars. Maybe a truck/SUV for safety. An older Tahoe or something?

One friend of mine bought her son this pretty sick new Camry with the red seatbelts and trim etc., then others give their kids old trucks and beaters.

My parents weren't big on spoiling us but they did buy me my first car, I was lucky.

Depends on your financial situation, how you feel about giving your kids a car, and if your own parents did the same for you (this is a big one, most people will be of the opinion that my parents didnt help me, why should I help you?). First car? Doesn't need anything better than a generally reliable point A to B car like a Corolla/Civic, older Camry/Accord, Elantra/Rio, etc.

In these days I'd be considering something lightly used like a Corolla, Civic or Elantra class commuter.

I can recollect my first days of driving and friends experiences. Many of them managed to total them within 2 years due to showing off and like. Girls didn't do much better though the severity seemed less. They'd bump into things with some frequency while not having a good sense of car space/perception. Any of my friends with wealthy parents that bought 3 series BMW's were the most likely to be car shopping in the year, to much car for an inexperienced driver. Same applied for my guy friends that bought late 60's and 70's muscle cars. Was a good start at learning to wrench though.

I will buy my kids new cars (or a new car, with twins gotta think about that) to get the latest safety features and construction but not a luxury car.

This girl I used to know her first car was an MR2. She said her dad bought that car specifically because it only seats two, so theoretically less trouble. Less people = less trouble.

That’s smart. But I’d still want my kids driving something big and safe. LS430/460 would be a great first car. Or a used BOF SUV.

Make them buy their own car on their dime.

Agree, for a peace of mind, its best to buy an inexpensive but new car. My daughter's first car was a Suzuki GV that we bought for her new. But if I had a son, I wouldn't get him any car, a man has to take care of himself, lol.

Why treat son and daughter differently? They are both members of the family.

Buying a car for your child has a self serving aspect too. Life is much easier when they can get places on their own.

Agreed

They'll both want cars I'm guessing. I'm married to a twin, and they might as well have their own universe with the jokes and the non-stop texting how close they are. They are the definition of "those twins". But they both had separate cars driving age.

I agree, at least to a certain extent. My daughter dances and one of the older girls has a new Land Rover Evoque and I asked my daughter if that was her car and she said it was. I told my daughter, don’t expect that when you turn 16. She asked why and I said she had to earn something like that herself. I’ll get my kids something to get them from A to B but it will be used and safe but they are going to to have to work since they think money grows on trees.

I think that an Impreza is a great car for a kid. Nice, safe, and slow.

My parents bought me a nice car that I didn't pay for. However, I had a job at age 15 and worked all through high school. Looking back IDK HTF I did that, wake up at 6:45AM school until 3:30, then drove straight to work at 4p until 10:30 or 11.

Because if they are oversheltered and spoiled they often grow up to be annoying soyboys.

I think maybe a 2012-13ish Tahoe is something I'd put my kid in if I had one. Big, safe, and heavy.

I'd hand my LX570 down if I had a kid.