DH and I were in the living room...

[RitaZ.]

talking about negotiating the price of a new vehicle. The older we get, the less we want to part with our money.

Anyway, we heard a car beeping out front. DH looked out the front window and saw a new Toyota FJ Cruiser in our driveway. It was one of DS's friends. I asked DS if his friend drives his parents' car. DS said, "No, it's his." DS (17) and his friends are seniors. I didn't have a $20K+ car at that age! In fact, DH and I didn't have any cars at that age. My father bought me my first car for $900.

After DS left, DH looked at me and said, while he was pointing out the window toward the FJ, "What the he@@? I'm a hard-working professional and here I'm hesitating over buying a new vehicle and this kid is driving that!" I had to burst out laughing!!! He then said, "I think we are overthinking this decision." Yeah, we probably are!

[momrek06]

DH & I have been in the OC one year now.....yup, it is like living at the AUTO SHOW around here. The kiddos drive everything from Mercedes, Lexus, BMW, Maserti....YUP, even Maserti's!!! Amazing.

[RitaZ.]

Originally Posted by momrek06

DH & I have been in the OC one year now.....yup, it is like living at the AUTO SHOW around here. The kiddos drive everything from Mercedes, Lexus, BMW,YUP, even Maserti's!!! Amazing.

We have that here, too. I'm always shocked though.

[Just Jan]

Originally Posted by RitaZ.

talking about negotiating the price of a new vehicle. The older we get, the less we want to part with our money.

Anyway, we heard a car beeping out front. DH looked out the front window and saw a new Toyota FJ Cruiser in our driveway. It was one of DS's friends. I asked DS if his friend drives his parents' car. DS said, "No, it's his." DS (17) and his friends are seniors. I didn't have a $20K+ car at that age! In fact, DH and I didn't have any cars at that age. My father bought me my first car for $900.

After DS left, DH looked at me and said, while he was pointing out the window toward the FJ, "What the he@@? I'm a hard-working professional and here I'm hesitating over buying a new vehicle and this kid is driving that!" I had to burst out laughing!!! He then said, "I think we are overthinking this decision." Yeah, we probably are!

This made me giggle. Much to my kids chagrin I will only pay for basic cable on the TV st approx $13.00
I am thinking of buying a Toyota Corolla, so thAT PROCESS SHOULD TAKE AWHILE

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

DD's first car, which we bought and must repair, is costing us $250 plus repairs that DH and his dad can do. Fortunately the biggest expense so far is a timing chain. Oh, and it wasn't for her 16th birthday. She only got her permit six months ago at 17.5. She just turned 18 this month and will go for her license next week. The car was more of a graduation present from us.

[The Mystery Machine]

We buy used. DH and I agreed that we will get a NEW car when we are in our 50's....maybe.

[ma2jr]

Originally Posted by RitaZ.

The older we get, the less we want to part with our money.

Ditto

[mumom95]

I used to teach at a private school in southern California, and I couldn't believe the number of students that got $35,000+ cars for their 16th birthday.

My thing about that is, what do these kids have to look forward to. Getting a car at 16 is exciting, even if it's an old, used, not in the best shape type car. As long as it moves and you can say it's yours, that's all most 16 year olds need to get excited over. Then, when you graduate from college and get your first real job, you buy your first new car. It's not necessarily a $35,000+ car, but it's new and it's the first car you bought, and that's exciting. Then, when you are in your late 20's, early 30's and little more established in your career, that's when you get the more expensive new car.

Each one is a step up, and each one is exciting. If you start out with the $35,000+ car at 16, it's going to take a yacht or private plane in your late twenties to get you excited.

[hrh_disney_queen]

Originally Posted by RitaZ.

talking about negotiating the price of a new vehicle. The older we get, the less we want to part with our money.

Anyway, we heard a car beeping out front. DH looked out the front window and saw a new Toyota FJ Cruiser in our driveway. It was one of DS's friends. I asked DS if his friend drives his parents' car. DS said, "No, it's his." DS (17) and his friends are seniors. I didn't have a $20K+ car at that age! In fact, DH and I didn't have any cars at that age. My father bought me my first car for $900.

After DS left, DH looked at me and said, while he was pointing out the window toward the FJ, "What the he@@? I'm a hard-working professional and here I'm hesitating over buying a new vehicle and this kid is driving that!" I had to burst out laughing!!! He then said, "I think we are overthinking this decision." Yeah, we probably are!

That car/SUV cost a lot more than $20! My used one cost a lot more than $20K. My parents bought me a $1500 Gran Torino for me when I graduated from high school, not before.

[manning]

I have owned only 4 cars all bought brand new. They were bought in 1963, 1969, 1977, 1993.

That is one reason I have a comfortable retirement. I know one person who is retired and is struggling. I asked him why. He listed off the cars he bought. It was almost every two years.

They say the most expensive thing you buy is your home. The second are cars.

Those kids are well on their way to a disappointment.

[RitaZ.]

Originally Posted by mumom95

I used to teach at a private school in southern California, and I couldn't believe the number of students that got $35,000+ cars for their 16th birthday.

My thing about that is, what do these kids have to look forward to. Getting a car at 16 is exciting, even if it's an old, used, not in the best shape type car. As long as it moves and you can say it's yours, that's all most 16 year olds need to get excited over. Then, when you graduate from college and get your first real job, you buy your first new car. It's not necessarily a $35,000+ car, but it's new and it's the first car you bought, and that's exciting. Then, when you are in your late 20's, early 30's and little more established in your career, that's when you get the more expensive new car.

Each one is a step up, and each one is exciting. If you start out with the $35,000+ car at 16, it's going to take a yacht or private plane in your late twenties to get you excited.

It's going to be a real shock for some when they realize that salaries don't go as far as we'd like.

[mumom95]

Originally Posted by RitaZ.

It's going to be a real shock for some when they realize that salaries don't go as far as we'd like.

They'll just go into debt for what they want. Or mommy and daddy will continue to support them through adulthood.