To buy son used car or motorcycle?

[TOP]

*Your guardian angel was working overtime with you, Tim. Glad you’re ok…if you still ride, please be careful!! *

Thanks, I stay low key, working the yard with a 4 wheeler now, but fell off that doing donuts last winter. I don’t know, can’t seem to help it.lol Tim

 

[whatevergirl]

*Update;

We discussed things last night, and my son understands our reasons against getting him a bike…he said…how about when I’m 19? lol Gotta give him credit for persistence.

I think we are going to have him drive the older car until he gets used to driving more…(when he has his license) and then we’ll get a newer car for the family. That will be 3 cars, I pray our insurance doesn’t soar through the roof. Only collision on the older car, so it might not be that bad. *

 

[AHapka]

*I**My dh said he’d do it for him, as a gift – and put one of those obnoxious mufflers on it too. I said…whaaaaaa??? ** *

Make sure that those mufflers are legal in your state.

They are illegal in Wisconsin, and I’ll admit that when I was with the Sheriff’s Department we used to use that as probable cause to pull over cars a lot to see if any more serious criminal activity was going on (drugs, etc.). Also called “fishing.”

Not accusing your son, of course, but it might increase the number of traffic stops that he otherwise would not have.

 

[whatevergirl]

Make sure that those mufflers are legal in your state.

They are illegal in Wisconsin, and I’ll admit that when I was with the Sheriff’s Department we used to use that as probable cause to pull over cars a lot to see if any more serious criminal activity was going on (drugs, etc.). Also called “fishing.”

Not accusing your son, of course, but it might increase the number of traffic stops that he otherwise would not have.

My son will look like a thug driving the car then, you’re saying? haha Yes, they are legal. Anything goes in Florida, don’tcha know? I say that with sadness…In PA, there were yearly car inspections, while they were a pain to do, it kept cars in better shape…people took care of their cars more. You will see teens driving a car with the muffler dragging on the ground down here.

 

[kage_ar]

*kage–what can I do, my husband gave the okay about the spoiler already? In all seriousness, how do I not appear like I’m making my husband look like he’s going back on a promise? My husband is usually the logical buyer in the family, so his thoughts are…if he wants it, he doesn’t ever ask for a whole lot, why not get it for him, if it makes him happy? I find them to be silly looking. *

Talk to your husband, he says to the son “I made a mistake. Your mom and I are not going to spend hundreds of dollars putting a modification on OUR car that is dangerous (those large spoilers block the field of vision). How about we donate that money to someone who is out of work and cannot afford car insurance right now?”

 

[whatevergirl]

Talk to your husband, he says to the son “I made a mistake. Your mom and I are not going to spend hundreds of dollars putting a modification on OUR car that is dangerous (those large spoilers block the field of vision). How about we donate that money to someone who is out of work and cannot afford car insurance right now?”

*Thanks kage, I think that’ll work. Our son is pretty laid back, so hopefully he won’t think we backed out on promising something. I don’t think my dh realizes how pricey those can be, and really not all that practical. *

 

[stringbeanduck]

I’m gonna be bold and say one of the dumbest things a parent can do is buy their kid a brand new car. All it takes is second er two of not paying attention and that’s like 17 grand down the toilet. Used cars are best since they can be more easily replaced. My uncles a mortician and gets a lot of young bikers in who get really torn up. Helmets are good and all, but that helmet’s not going to do a darn thing for the neck down. With a car, you have all that metal between you and whatever you hit to absorb some of impact, with a bike all you got is the skin on your bones. Now I’m not saying motorcycles over all are dangerous, but combine the lack of protection between the biker with what he hits, and the inexperience of new driver… Not good if you ask me. Good condition, 100,000 miles or so on a used car would be the safest and cheapest method. Unless you got lots of money and kids to spend.

 

[Viki63]

I’m with the anti-motorcycle crowd. Google “Statistical chance of motorcycle accidents.”

We have a tradition in our family, if anyone wants a car they buy it for themselves, with their own money, when they have a job to earn it and to pay for insurance and upkeep. Works for me, and teaches responsibility.

 

[Imryl]

Just say no to motorcycles!

 

[TigerKitty]

No bikes! Maybe when he’s older and on his own…teen guys have too much of that “invincible” feeling - a guy in my high school class flipped over his bike and lost all his front teeth (lucky that’s all) when someone in a car turned left in front of him. He has all implants now.

Voting no on the spoiler and no on the loud muffler!

If your son is itching to do some work on cars, get him an older car that runs but needs a little “spiffing up”. Some of the cars from the 60s/70s are so heavy, they are like tanks. Or, go for a car that is newer but has some cosmetic issues - that way, you can get one with air bags.

PS - Small pick up trucks are “masculine” enough for a teen guy - less stuff to modify on them, too - and VERY useful - especially for hauling stuff to/from college (think ahead!)

PPS - It is possible to drive a stick and use a cell phone - but not recommended : )

 

[ThunderDawg09]

I personally hate motorcycles, no offense to anyone , b/c I know a lot of people love them…I think that they are so dangerous…anyway, ,I think giving him a used car is a good idea, and he can pay you back…just don’t give him a “fast car”…boys, and men for that matter seem to have a tendency to love speed…by fast car, i guess like a corvette or a mustang…Good luck, I don’t have to think about my son driving for at least another 6 years…let me know how many years it takes off your life so I know what to be prepared for…LOL

She can get him a Mustang or Camaro…Just besure to get one with a slower engine (i.e V6 or 4cyl) and not a V8 lol. Then he just has a fast looking car lol.

 

[takers]

I would recommend that you and your husband buy a third car for the two of you that you allow your son to use for your convenience. But it’s YOUR car not his. I found amongst my friends that those of us who drove cars from our parents for their convenience, and then worked up enough money to buy our own cars, took much better car of the car and our driving ability than those who had cars bought outright for them. It makes sense. If you earn something you treat it better than something just given to you.