Debate: Would you buy your kid a newish BMW?

[TAZ007]

At the end of the day, all of us parents are going to make these choices based on what we got at that age. This is what we know! Additionally, we know that our teenagers will not understand any long term impacts; other than the immediate gratification/ rejection that is presented. Only us parents know what is best for our children. Every other observer be damned. They can have their opinion, but those are like @33holes, everyone has one and they all stink.

[br2wdc]

No question, I loved mine, really versatile car with hatch and front wheel drive, good gas mileage and could really handle

Originally Posted by Gregrobin

Scirocco - I had one of these, good memories.

[dmanb2b]

lmao...all these "no" answers saying let them pay for it and earn it, but I bet the majority think it's OK to pay for your kid's college education but not a BMW as a first vehicle. It's a car ...not like OP said an M vehicle or something. How about a 3 year old base model 320i vs a Hyundai sonata fully loaded?

Do what you wish if you can afford it. Just manage it appropriately. If they fuck up, you cut them off and don't coddle them telling them that everything is going to be OK when they do screw up, because they will, regardless of what car you do or do not buy them. There are plenty of not so financially fortunate people in this world going through "hard knocks" and yet we don't see the world being filled with love, respect or people learning how to earn their way, just ready for more government handouts, telling them it will be ok.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by dmanb2b

I bet the majority think it's OK to pay for your kid's college education but not a BMW as a first vehicle.

That's probably true, and probably makes sense. One could argue luxury vs. necessity, or return on investment. Wanting to give your kid an education doesn't make you a hypocrite if you don't want to also give them a BMW.

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by tracer bullet

That's probably true, and probably makes sense. One could argue luxury vs. necessity, or return on investment. Wanting to give your kid an education doesn't make you a hypocrite if you don't want to also give them a BMW.

I do agree with that, but I also I don't think a college education is a necessity, nor do I think that as a parent I would expect to see any return of those funds. Let's face it, when we pay for school we are gifting our children with an opportunity. They are both gifts, one just has the potential of being way more useful than the other. Wanting to give your kid an BMW doesn't make you a hypocrite if you don't want to also give them a college education.

[FCX5]

Originally Posted by IndyRed128i

Curious peoples opinions?

I think an i3 is a good option if you can find the last model.

[LeHeatles]

No way. You gotta start with a beater car, can get a nice car later on.

[BMW_Jake]

Ultimately up to the parent's discretion.

[BMWinAZ]

Totally depends on the kid and the family's resources (money, car knowledge etc). But really mostly depends on the kid's preferences and interests. They will be motivated to take care of the car and strive to be a good driver if that is the car they want, if it's the car their parents want, then the child could care less.

I (liking cars and BMWs particularly) bought a very nice, clean , manual Mini Clubman as an extra car when my son was about 16 1/2. Well, that turned out to be the best way to keep a teenager off the road! He was scared of the MT and never progressed from some forced practice in empty parking lots. I realized that he is not very careful with his possessions and was scared that he would scratch and dent the nice, shiny Mini and therefore never really forced the issue. The Mini became mine and my wife's third car. The child used us as a taxi service and stayed off the roads till he was 19. At which point we had learned our lesson and ASKED him what he wanted. He picked a Toyota Tacoma. I found one on Facebook Marketplace that was as old as my son but in good mechanical condition, clean on the inside, but definitely used on the outside to put up with a novice driver who was not into keeping vehicles nice and shiny. My son learned to drive in three months and actually is a slow and safe driver. The truck fits his needs, personality and driving style to a T.

[zamray]

If I have the money ….. why not?😀

[vara411]

Good God absolutely not. We have enough entitled adults running around as it is.

[pupo_cro]

Maybe some old model with potential, so he/she can spend all pocket money on upgrades

[justion92]

Can drive the family car until can buy one for themselves. It's kind of expensive to properly take care of a car, a lot more if it's older

[Skoidat69]

My kids will either get tuition at the best private school that I can afford or I buy them a car.. that's what I got.. I wasn't a good student and a bit of trouble maker so I went to local catholic HS where the nuns were still violent on occasion

[dís_f30]

Just for the sake of getting them a car, no. If they're into cars and working on them, then yes.