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It amaze me that there are so many parents willing (and able) to put their teenage drivers in brand new vehicles. My daughter came home this week in slight shock that the girl barely passing several classes in her senior class in high school was just given a new Ford Mustang GT.
I have noticed for some time the growing disparity in vehicles in the parking lots at the local high school. The student parking section has nicer vehicles than the teacher section. Thoughts?
A brand new Elantra or something is worlds away from a brand new Mustang GT. Not only in price but I would not put an inexperienced driver in a high power RWD vehicle.
If people have the means to put their kids in a nice new ride and they want to...so what.
Yeah I would put a teen in something like a new Kia Soul if it wouldn't be a strain on the family budget. But a Mustang GT in the hands of a newly minted driver is a recipe for disaster. But it's not really a new phenomenon. Even back in my high school days there was always a kid or two who had a new Mustang it was even forever enshrined in a featured page in the yearbook on student rides.
Never give a new driver a brand new car. A used car doesn't mean a bad car. Get a car already with a few parking lot dings or scratches. A modern compact sedan is a good choice since they're much safer than in the past. Avoid giving in to what the kid "wants" and steer him/her towards a safer and more reliable car. If you're paying for the car, you get a way in what the kid gets.
I always helped my kids find good condition older cars. Young people are poor drivers at best, let them learn to drive on a reliable older car.
Now that they are older they appreciate the luxury cars they now bought and paid for them selves.
Location: Danbury CT covering all of Fairfield County
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I basicially took over my parents 1.5 year old Jeep Cherokee when I was in high school. They didn't want to worry about breaking down and getting home in the snow.
This question has been asked by parents for decades. When I was in high school, my parents were shocked at some of new Corollas and Rabbits some of my classmates had.
That said, id probably but something in the Versa, Rio, Elantra range. Not a Mustang.
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