To think that it's ridiculous, to buy a 17 year old a brand new car?

[ILiveAtTheBeach]

That's exactly what my DD's best friends parents have done. A brand spanking new car, for her 17th birthday. A 65 plate. She can't even drive yet (obvs). She is still at school, so I guess when she does pass, that all costs associated with the car (fuel/insurance/road tax) will be paid for by the parents??!!

Thank goodness, my DD also thinks it's crazy. But I'm sure some parents in the friendship group, will now feel slightly pressured to buy their kids a car.

I mean, I could maybe understand getting your kids a car for say £1-2k, but I think even that would be extremely generous.

I had to buy my own first car and pay for all costs that went with that. It was old and cheap. And I was working FT.

They are not particularly well off (if their house is anything to go buy).

Dh was talking about doing it for dd with a 0% finance deal the insurance was only £99! No brainer.

People can spend their money how they like.

I certainly wouldn't do something like this, but my personal moral/economic/common sense lens is totally irrelevant to other people who don't share my view, circumstances, values.

Equally feeling 'pressurized' comes from within. No one forces you to feel pressure, you put that on yourself. Move on OP, it's none of your business.

I just think buying a 17 year old a brand new car from the off is a bit indulgent. It's not good for young people to be handed too much on a plate

Yes, it is a bit indulgent. But if you can afford it, why does it matter. I just fail to see how this is worthy of judging. I really don't get it.

Who says a new car at 17 ever ruined anyone? Why do people always assume that kids whose parents can afford to buy them things, and do so, are just spoilt shits with no respect.

Imagine if someone made sweeping assumptions about people from low social groups.

The inverted snobbery here is intolerable.

In my chavtastic town, it is quite the norm for parents to buy their kids a brand new car - usually complete with personalised numberplates - when they pass their driving test

It's spending priorities isn't it?

My teens don't have the latest gaming computers, they don't expect things as a whole, but I will spend if I can on things that keep them alive eg cycle helmets. and yep, new car if I could ( fortunately DS who has had a few driving lessons hasn't got off his bum and booked more so isn't going to be driving soon, and eldest hasn't bothered either, thought the offer is there - she doesn't need to drive at the moment, and till recently was too dreamy to do so!)

'I just fail to see how this is worthy of judging. I really don't get it.'

This is MN. Having opinions about things that don't really matter or don't really effect us is the whole point.

You're taking it too personally.

I got a brand new car when I passed my test at 17 (although it was a three year finance deal so it went back after that and at uni I didn't need a car). I also got a new car once I had a job, oh and a wedding from my parents too. I am incredibly grateful to them for all the help they have given me and DH and the DCs and fully understand the value of money. We are just lucky to have parents that have the means and the inclination to help us out, it doesn't mean that we don't understand the value of things. We live within our means, save regularly and say thank you a lot.

But Helen how is a brand new car more likely to keep your kid alive than a 3 year old car that is considered to be in fine order?

You're taking it too personally

I was never bought a new car so am not taking it personally.

I'm amazed at people's view of the world, when it comes to money.

I teach in a well off area. Most get new cars on their 17th birthday. I didn't own my own (second hand) car at 31. Previously I walked to used the bus.

Oh well Bamboo, never mine - to quote you from earlier

Suck it up princess!

Well then why mention what you're planning to buy your (much younger than 17 year old) children unless you've taken personal offence at the OP?

'I just fail to see how this is worthy of judging. I really don't get it.'

Are you new here?

you beat me to it sirchenjin

If you add up how much the insurance for a very young driver will cost over the first few years, the car doesn't sound so expensive after all.

YANBU. But at least all these brand news cars are keeping the motor industry alive and well.

I think there's nothing wrong with helping them to buy their first car by way of a loan that they then pay back, but instant gratification? It's a no from me, regardless of whether we had a few thousand kicking around.

It can make more sense. I learnt in my 30's and a small brand new safe car was about the same pric as a three year old on due to a special offer. No MOT to worry about and more reliable than a used mode it made great sense.

When my children are old enough I hope to get them decent safe small cars, I'd not risk an old banger as statistically they are likely to have an accident and should be in a decent safe model.

Noah - it was just too tempting

When my DS is older we'll be buying him the best car we can afford, probably brand new or less than 3 years old. There are some great deals around, some with insurance thrown in. I won't have him drive some shitty old rustbucket that will crumple in an accident.

It's none of your business OP, and neither is the state of their house their house.

Blimey damnbamboo I most certainly did not make a Sneery comment about their house. I said they weren't obviously well off. Actually their house is quite nice and around the same value as mine. It's not a big detached number, where you might expect there to be lots of cash swanning about. If it had been, I wouldn't have been so surprised. So, from what you are saying, you would never make an assumption about someones finances, based on their home? So if Person A lived in a terraced council house and Person B lived in a Mansion, you would not get any clue from that, what their finances might look like? Really? That's just thick. You are very aggressive and rude. It's not needed.

I bought my 17 year old a brand new car. Delivered on her 17th birthday. Neither of our cars could be insured for anyone under 21 so there was no option to use ours and I wasn't downgrading for her to learn in (wasn't economic or viable as I need my car for business)

Insured in her name from day 1. She built up her no claims before she even passed her test. 3.5 years later- car still going fine. 2 bumps- someone hit her run a car park and she ht someone and cracked their light. Both reported to insurance but no claim made (£200 in total damage). she is now 20 and her car insurance in her own name is about £400 and I expect it to drop in spring when renewed.

Best move ever.

It's pissing money up the wall. I agree with you OP but I also think brand new cars are s stupid waste of money full stop.

Oh and DamnBamboo, please, for the love of god, stop typing myself when you mean me.

Eh? So I'm critical of the fact that the OP is making a horrid judgement of this family and say so. And I'm told tough!

Exactly, that's it. Tough - I get it. But I can post and say express my views. I don't give a shit if people disagree with me. I really don't. But i will challenge horrid stereotypes as I see fit.

The OP thought this was thread worthy and has received responses accordingly. I haven't started a thread saying 'ooh isn't mumsnet too judgy' and then moaned about being called on it.

OP is judging nastily, people (in a not nice house apparently) for spending money on a new car!

I find it odd that nobody thinks her comments about these people's house is distasteful and yet I'm singled out, for highlighting it.

I might buy my younger ones a new car, I might not! Affordability aside, it's down to need! BTW mitzy I also have a teenager too - 17. No car yet.

For all those people saying that they would buy their 17yr olds a new car, can I ask whether you would be buying them cash or hire purchase?