Ok ladies....I have a situation I'd like to share with you and get your motherly opinions and advice on. Our youngest son is 19, he is the most responsible and trustworthy 19 year old that I have personally ever known, and has never given us any reason to doubt his word. For about a year now he has been obsessed with buying a Corvette. He knows he can't afford a brand new one and wants an '05. He works near full time hours and saves his money. Husband and I have been hoping that he would take at least a couple of years to save enough for the down payment but on Friday he announced to us that he now has enough money and is ready to start looking for one to buy. He will need one of us to co-sign the loan so essentially we are in control ultimately of whether or not he achieves this goal. He has his expenses all planned out so that he can afford both the car payment and full coverage insurance. Both husband and I feel that it seems unusual for a 19 year old to have a Corvette. It's not that we're afraid he's going to drive recklessly because that's not what he's about. We don't feel right telling him "no" just because we don't think a person his age should have such a car. It just doesn't seem right for some reason and I'd love to hear what others think!!
I guess maybe I'm looking for someone to tell me that it's ok? I dunno!
17 comments:
Hi Janet,
Boy, you have some son there he sounds so very responsible and watches his money that he earns, hmmmmm... I would let him get the car but I'd have restrictions about it since he is 17 and still living under your roof. He might not like it but when he is 29, 34 and 37 like my 3 son's are right now he will understand and that's what growing up is all about:)
Keep us posted about it:)
Rondell
Hi Rondell....thank you so much for your comment....he is 19 just to clarify....thanks again!
Janet
I realized that after I published it:) He seems to have a good head on his shoulders so I'd try not to worry to much although I know that is so hard to do.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Rondell
I definitely understand your concerns, Janet. Having a son myself who'll be 18 in a couple of months, that would be a hard decision to make. You seem to have confidence in his being responsible and trustworthy, so I think I would have to let him get the corvette. He sounds like he's thinking with his head and knows what he's getting into by budgeting for a car payment and insurance and he's a responsible driver. You mentioned that he's going to start looking for one - maybe it'll take him a while to find what he's looking for. And as far as him having a corvette at 19, there are kids at my son's high school that drive brand new sports cars not because they worked hard to earn it or are responsible kids, but because their parents have high salary jobs and bought it for them.
Good luck with whatever you decide - you know your son best!
Take care,
~Kris~
Well, I'd need a few more facts, but I do love to give out my opinion, especially when someone want to hear it! Is your son working, and if so can he afford payments. Is he going to school of some type? Then the big question -- how much is insurance for a Corvette owned and driven by a 19 year old?
Hi Janet ~~ If you & Don have the means to help him obtain the financing...I say go ahead. We did the very same thing for Tommy at that same age.....not a Corvette...but still a car we wouldn't have picked...he payed the loan off and we were happy to have helped. My MoM also did the same for me at that age.
Good Luck...I'm sure if you help him he will greatly appreciate it.
Hugs ~ Connie xox
Hi lakeffect, the answers to your questions were in my post except for the subject of school, he does not attend college but then no one in our family has....thanks for your time in responding!
Janet
Oh Boy - that's a hard one!! If he defaults on the loan, are you willing to put out the money? Your credit will be affected otherwise. Just because he announced he is ready doesn't mean he is. My hubby and I would say "show you are ready but saving the equivalent of your car payment and insurance each month for 6 months". That would show his level or commitment AND start a down payment!!
Hi Janet-- I'm on the side of letting him get the 'vette-- such a guy thing. He worked hard for it, and it seems like a good life lesson to see that you can get what you work hard for. He sounds totally responsible and as long as he drives it carefully....
Hope you and your have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
AHA - your change in wording does make a difference. If he already has the down payment saved, then he seems very motivated and responsible. That would make it much easier for me to say YES!!
Hi! I just stummbled across your blog and saw this post, and felt a need to comment! Hope you don't mind...
I have a son that is 28 so I speak from raising a son also. First, I have to say your son sounds like someone to be very proud of. With that being said, please keep in mind just because he is so head set on this corvette it doesn't mean it is the best car for his age. The biggest killer of teens is car accidents!! I feel a car like that and a 19 year old is a very bad mix, no matter how responsible they are ! Boys will be boys! At 19 they are not rational enough to make the best decisions. They will race, have other friends with them ect...
I can't even imagine what the insurance would be..
I would make the parental decision of keeping him safe and saying no to this car. I know that accidents can happen in any vehicle, but a high performance car is not something a 19 year old should have. Sorry, to be one poster who says no, but we have lost many in are family from car accidents and I felt I couldn't ignore your post and not say how I feel. 19 is just so young. Good luck with whatever you decide! Once again you sound like you have a great kid, but he has many years ahead of him to get a car like that!
I so totally agree. It is difficult to allow our children to make their own decisions and then live with it...let him grow up and help him if he stumbles. Dianntha
Janet,
My son is now 23 and we have an 84 vette that we let him drive when he was 18 and up. Now sayin' this our insurance was a crazyyyy amount BUT our son paid the insurance so he could drive it. He was responsible, working, and had a good head on his shoulders. He never put a scratch on 'er. I say IF your son is willin' to pay his way go for it. You know your son better than any of us and if he is responsible then I think it's a good thing to show him you have faith in him. My hubby and I didnt wanna let our son drive the vette but we did and it made our relationship with him even stronger. Off topic....I just read your reply about the candle ring and was on the way to buy one and saw they are gone =( lol shucksss.
Anyway hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving
Prim Huggs n Blessins
TJ
Good day Janet,
I have never left a comment on your blog before but I wanted to give my 2cents since you were asking...I do not know you or how you parent your children but ask a few questions of yourself...would you be willing to co-sign if it were any other car? Why is your son so enamored with a corvette? Here is why I suggest...my brother at age 22 got his first corvette, now at age 16 he purchased a 69 nova with NOS (fuel booster Nitrogen yada yada) he babied that thing to death and drove it everywhere, he was truly a responsible kid never drank or partied, his car was his life outside of school and work. My parents made a deal with each of us we finish a 4 year institution with a degree we would get a brand new car after graduation! Well he did it, but instead of new car my parents bought him the car of his choice a corvette (a few years older than a new one). My brother is now 38 father of 2 married and serves in the AF. He still has a corvette and his 69 Nova, as well as a couple of other cars, he does race on tracks, drags strips, and parking lot road races, as well as he has done the One lap of America 3 times(like the cannonball run movie) I believe. Now while his family worries for his safety I can tell you he worries about his babies, his cars! He may have to put new brakes and rotars or new tires ($500 each) after such feats but it is his hobby and he is meticulus about his cars, can't even put a pop in the pop holder must hold it and it had better have a lid screwed on tightly. I kid you not! His cars are his hobbies outside of his family he LOVES his cars and has never been in any accident. I realize he was 22 when getting his car, but he had a 69 Nova with the booster since he was 16 and dragged it before he graduated HS, with the proper safety gear, he has rebuilt that engine twice I believe. He loves his car. Just so you know i have a younger brother he walked away from his college with a brand new camaro....each one loves their cars. I know there is always the chance of an accident but in any car he will be in danger. I have a daughter his age and I worry about her she does not have a corvette, but wants a mustang, but she works, pays her bills, lives on her own and pays her own way thru college, I couldn't in a million years, say no to her, not with all the hard work and responsibility she has shown me since she was 15! If your son is truly as responsible and trustworthy as you say I am not sure why you even question his judgement, he is after all an adult and has earned the downpayment and seems very committed to this, but again we don't know everything, has he ever been in an accident? Does he take care of the vehicle he drives now? Again what is his drive for a corvette, to be cool or because he LOVES cars? Put it all in perspective....either way won't you worry no matter what or how he drives if your like me, it is still the rest of the crazy drivers out there that keep me worried about my one and only child. Even at 19 going on 30! LOL This really is your decision you are the one that will have to live with it, financially and the worries so even with my advice you still have to really make up your own decision. You sound much like I- wishing by the time they actually are ready to make the decision they will have changed their minds so as not to have to decide such a difficult decision. He sure sounds like he was committed from the start, would be hard for me to say no! But then again I can only think of my brothers and daughter and how they have been. PS just so you know my dad didn't have to buy me a car, I never finished a 4 year LOL! I wasn't so baited with the thought- I like cars, I come from a family who loves them, but not enough to go to school for 4 years or more! Good luck with your decision sorry you have to make one, tough being a parent and it never seems to get easier does it?
Hi Nicole!....Thank you for your comments, I appreciate that.
I think the reason why I posted the request for advice is because I am finding it difficult to say "no" and just want some back up, so thank you again!
Janet
Hey Janet. Before you go any further, you better check out how much insurance will be for your son on this car. Remember boys ensure at a higher rate than girls. I'm not so sure I would feel comfortable cosigning for a loan for him either. That puts you and your hubby at risk in the event he falls short on a payment from time to time. Yes it does happen not just to our kids but to us as adults as well. Our son is 22 and one of the worlds most responsible kids and he goes to college full time and holds down two jobs as well. I know my hubby and I would not cosign for him nor would we want him to have a Corvett but that is just us. Pray about it and ask God to lead you in your decision. It will work out.
Hugs,
AMY
HI JANET... YOUR SON DOES SOUND VERY RESPONSIBLE & HE HAS SHOWN THAT BY SAVING FOR THIS CAR AND ALSO BY HOLDING A JOB,,, A CAR IS SIMPLY A CAR, NO MATTER THE MAKE OR MODEL,,, AND IF THIS CAR IS HIS DREAM I SAY LET HIM FOLLOW HIS DREAM. HE CAN SHOP AND ALSO CHECK THE PRICE OF INSURANCE BOTH PRICES MAY SWAY HIM IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION... BEST OF LUCK AND FOLLOW YOUR HEART... XX B
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