How to talk my 17 year old son out of buying a camaro

[ViviTheMage]

As long as he pays for the insurance hike, why bust his balls about it? Sounds like he's been planning for it properly, as any adult would.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Match the amount he's got saved up if he buys something less hick-y

:thumbsup:

 

[BoomerD]

While I agree that a "high-performance muscle car" wouldn't be a good first car for a teenager, not all Camaros fit that description. Most are just "sporty-looking" cars that have mediocre performance.
The base model came with a 3.4l V-6 and manual transmission. Sure, it's not a grandma car...but it definitely isn't a high-performance model like the Z-28 with the 5.7l V-8 either...The other thing to consider...is it a hardtop or convertible. I'd be more concerned if it was a convertible.
As for him not wanting a Honda...I can't blame him there. I wouldn't want a Honda either.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Why would you pay the bill if he has health insurance?

deductibles and co-pays.

 

[Theb]

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

While I agree that a "high-performance muscle car" wouldn't be a good first car for a teenager, not all Camaros fit that description. Most are just "sporty-looking" cars that have mediocre performance.
The base model came with a 3.4l V-6 and manual transmission. Sure, it's not a grandma car...but it definitely isn't a high-performance model like the Z-28 with the 5.7l V-8 either...The other thing to consider...is it a hardtop or convertible. I'd be more concerned if it was a convertible.
As for him not wanting a Honda...I can't blame him there. I wouldn't want a Honda either.

The boy has obviously watched Transformers. Everyone wants a Bumble Bee. I prefer the cop Nissan Skyline GTR though

 

[JulesMaximus]

deductibles and co-pays.

Right, I don't know what I was thinking. Shitty American health insurance FTMFL!!!

 

[sixone]

Right, I don't know what I was thinking. Shitty American health insurance FTMFL!!!

Shitty American health insurance doesn't cover injuries suffered in a car accident. Those are covered by the car insurance policy only.

 

[BoomerD]

Shitty American health insurance doesn't cover injuries suffered in a car accident. Those are covered by the car insurance policy only.

Not necessarily. State law may govern the issue.

We were in an accident about 12 years ago. Our health insurance covered all the costs, then were later repaid by the auto insurance. Had the costs exceeded our policy limits for medical coverage, the health insurance would have covered that.

 

[foghorn67]

Shitty American health insurance doesn't cover injuries suffered in a car accident. Those are covered by the car insurance policy only.

Wrong.

 

[OutHouse]

Once he turns 18, you can't stop him from buying it anyway.

If he is still living at home and dependent upon his mom and dad for food, clothing, shelter they very much do have a say in the matter.

he wants his total freedom move out.

 

[CVSiN]

my first vehicle was a 1987 Honda Hurricane ( CBR600) at 17.

after that had Camaros Trans Ams Corvettes and tons of Mustang 5.0s..

I'm still here.. let him get what he wants..

 

[OutHouse]

Why would you pay the bill if he has health insurance?

where does it say his son has his own health insurance?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Man up and do what you gotta do.

 

[gevorg]

Tell him you'll buy him a brand new Camaro in 3 years if he buys that Honda Civic now and shows you a good driving history until then.

 

[JulesMaximus]

my first vehicle was a 1987 Honda Hurricane ( CBR600) at 17.

after that had Camaros Trans Ams Corvettes and tons of Mustang 5.0s..

I'm still here.. let him get what he wants..

Fact: It isn't a good choice for a novice. The OP is just trying to convey that to his son and get him to make a smart decision.

 

[piasabird]

When buying used cars I usually look at how safe the car is, how easy it is to drive, and then about the maintenance and the Air Quality Control repairs. Some vehicles are almost impossible to get to pass the EPA inspections. The stupid air quality EPA inspections are one of my issues with the government. It is all a racket designed to punish used car buyers.

 

[sixone]

If he is still living at home and dependent upon his mom and dad for food, clothing, shelter they very much do have a say in the matter.

he wants his total freedom move out.

I didn't say that they have no say. I said they can't stop him from buying the car.

 

[yllus]

If my son makes/saves his own money I'd be inclined to let buy what he wants. My father did (I had a Boss 302 Mustang at your son's age.)

Whew, Fern! How did you end up being such a square with a great beginning like that?

 

[Fritzo]

Tell him my story.

I was like him. When I was 17, I bought an '84 Mustang GT. It was only 4 years old at the time, and it was sweet: T-Tops, 55K miles, 5 speed, 5.0 Litre...quite the chick grabber.

However, my parents insisted that if I were to get that car, I would pay everything on it. I financed the car (dad co-signed). It was $160/month, and my insurance was $168/month.

It got about 12MPG, so gas was expensive. Tires cost $400 a set (they were Metric tires that had to be shipped from Canada...that would be about $900 in today's money). Ford made the engine block out of steel and the valve covers out of aluminium, meaning they expanded differently and you couldn't keep valve cover gaskets on it. The manual transmission had to be replaced at 70K miles @ $1200.

In short, I spent 5 years of the best years of my life doing nothing but working so I could support a car. My friends were having parties, getting laid, going to football games, and having the times of their lives, and I was working every available hour to make my car and insurance payment.

Your son needs to get the cheapest car he can get so he can enjoy life and save money. Then, when he gets out of college, he'll be able to get a kick-ass car and actually have time to enjoy it.

I tell the kids at work this all the time. They seldom listen, then 3 years later come back and say "That was great advice, I should have listened."

 

[Bacstar]

You can do what my parents did when I came home after buying my buddy's older brother's motorcycle. They gave me the ultimatum (mainly my mom) "You keep that...Then you need to go find some other place to live." I was 16 at the time. Went for a long ride, thought about it for a day, and got "most" of my money back when I finally decided to return it. Then a few months later, my parents surprised me with a car they approved of. Didn't have a choice then, and I was happy I didn't have to spend any of my own money.

 

[69Mach1]

I got the Mach 1 when I was 18, and though I've had several tickets, none of them were while I was driving it. I had LOTS of police interest whenever and wherever I drove it, and it makes you paranoid about doing anything too outrageous. I was much more likely to do stupid things while in my jeep or one of my motorcycles.

 

[TridenT]

So he wants a POS car? Whatever...

Also, how much is insurance? I was looking at $200+/month for insurance on my own (For a honda civic).

 

[rh71]

Guys, saying the kid is an adult and can make his own decisions is all well and good, and pretty much true. But, if you were a parent, would you want your son/daughter buying a car that would likely get them killed?

/looks across the street at the busted up Camaro that was recently in an end-over-end accident (yes the kid has left it in their driveway for months now)...

Hell no. "Son, if you buy that thing you're not living here anymore. I hope you saved enough to buy more than just a car. Good luck."

 

[airdata]

Show him projected gasoline prices and let him know he'll be paying for all of his gas.