A slightly different perspective (archive)

I agree with the majority of posts that your
son might be better off with a more modest
car. That being said, he's in high school
right now, and my guess is that the focus
on his next four years is college, not making
himself into a self-made man. I have a healthy
respect for people that have pulled themselves
up on their in this economy, but I think your
sons time would be better spent studying than
working at minimum wage to finance a cheap car.

My suggestion would be to get him a decent
and SAFE car. In addition to issues of maturity,
consider the very real possibility that your
son will get into a car accident. What car
would you like him to be driving?

The Subaru 2.5RS is a good compromise car on
these points. It is a nice car, and your son
will enjoy it. But it isn't a luxury car,
and if we wants something really amazing
he'll have to earn it himself. These cars
are also bullet proof--the awd makes them
safe in poor weather conditions, and they
crash test as well as or better than every
other car of their size on the market.

The idea that your son must work his way up
from zero isn't reasonable--not without
understanding the exact psychology of the boy.
Some kids need a swift kick and learn how to
swim by being thrown in water. For others its
a recipe for certain disaster.

My parents have helped me in a more moderate
way (leased me a VW after graduation) and I
think they are pleased with my overall development. I'm
about a year away from my doctorate, and good
to my friends, and will earn the money for
my second car (just sold a sizeable consulting
contract). Don't make the car decision into more
than it is....

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