When Iturned sixteen and asked my old man for a car. He said son I would really like to have a car but you've got to be able to pay for it yourself. Do the kid a favour and put him to work earning the car ! Giving him a hand out is teaching him its too easy to ask.
Just my five cents worth.

I currently drive an S type and I have had a few problems with it but nothing major. My only child, a son, is graduating from high school this June and I would like to suprise him with another car this time a Jaguar X-type but I would like to know if you think a 17 year old would look appropriate in a Jaguar. My wife and I have been looking at cars and we're hooked on the x-type or a boxster.

I am 57 and my life long ambition of having a Jaguar came true in December 2001, a new baby blue 2.5. The following is to be read with along with a Pagannini Violin Concerto playing in the background. I am now a successful, SELF made, so-called Professional. Sir you do you son a great DISSERVICE by buying him a car. Kids now have a MAJOR entitlement mentality.....you OWE him/her the chance to having his own pride of ownership by getting something based on his OWN ability. Let him EARN it, believe me, in the long run he will be eternally grateful! You will teach him what its like to be independent. The question is, what can he do on his own??? Test, put him out the front door of his house with NO money. Can he make it on his OWN?.....most kids couldn't! I have a young one myself who I dearly love but no one owes them a living! For what is worth (and probably not much): I grew up in an orphanage and learned the value of hard worth and the pride and joy of the results. Trust me on this one thing: the car (any car) will mean MUCH, MUCH more if THEY bought it. What "you" do for your kids is your business....perhaps "you" were raised with the proverbial "silver spoon".
Well I just wanted to get this off of my chest. Let the arrows (responses)fly. In the words of Bill O'Reilly: "folks, what say you"?