When I did finally get my drivers license my parents let me borrow their car, they had two, when I needed it and that worked out quite nicely. I think I’m more likely to do this than anything else.

I think that kids that have their cars purchased and paid for them don’t understand the full cost of owning a car. 10 or 20 years ago it was cheaper to have and drive a car, now that cost is becoming very significant.

Have you considered the increased costs of owning a car in helping guide your sons decision to have a car?

My parents bought me my first vehicle. It was a non-operational, 600$ 1984 Mazda Truck. It was older than I was. Although they bought it, I put in the money to have it repaired to working condition, paid the insurance, the gas, and all other associated costs (including the 5 consecutive Sundays that it broke down and I had to have it repaired. By the 5th Sunday, I had roadside assistance on speed dial.)

All of my friends had cars, all purchased by their parents, but they were all either hand-me-downs or clunkers that were really cheap and terrible. I guess it depends on the necessity. Living in Toronto now, I wouldn’t buy my future kids a car because public transit is probably better than driving here. I don’t think a car is a good “reward” or “gift” but rather something that should be looked at as an appliance to life, in some situations necessary, in others, not so much.