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A Teen Asks:
My
best friend is selling her Eclipse car for $3,500. There are things that
need to be fixed and replaced, but overall it is in good condition. I just
got my driver’s license and I want my parents to buy this car for me.
They do not think I am ready to own a car yet. What can I do to change
their minds?
Wheel-less in Wharton |
Christine is a 16
year-old high school junior.
She responds . . .
Understand that this very complicated
issue involves finances, legal aspects, and commitment (both yours and
your parents’) in addition to trust and “being ready.” Know
that this will be a long process of proving yourself and working through
the concerns with your parents. It won’t happen until all involved feel
comfortable.
Sit down and have a calm discussion with your parents. Be prepared
with the important information and details about the car. Have a list and
approximate costs to fix what is wrong with the vehicle. Call their
insurance provider and know what the insurance costs would be. Most
importantly, listen to their concerns and answer them honestly as best you
can. This is not a time to make pie-in-the-sky promises. Do not expect
that the issue will be resolved with this one talk.
The next conversation you need to have with your parents about car
ownership should address the financial responsibility issues. Together,
decide who will pay for insurance, gas, replacement parts, and also who
will pay for fixing the things that are not currently working on the car.
The major part of this talk must be your willingness to get an
after-school job to pay for some share of the expenses. Let your parents
know you are responsible and are willing to work for this privilege.
After you have a job, discuss reasonable payment plans. Try
suggesting that you pay half of your insurance, as well as all of your gas
and car repairs. Before you do this be sure your income will allow you to
afford all these expenses and still keep your school grades up.
Another important discussion that you
need to calmly have with your parents is the rules of the car, like your
curfew. Be reasonable and be prepared to settle for strict rules with the
promise of renegotiating as you prove yourself.
Finally,
remain patient and mature. Convincing your parents that you are adult
enough to own a car will not happen overnight. Don’t be afraid to let
time go by; your parents will need that space to see if you can come
through with all of your promises. Make sure you give them the time and
results they need.
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