by Caitlyn Jones

Created on: April 01, 2009

I look outside in my parent's driveway and see my '89 Dodge Omni sitting there. Sanded down to the metal, the paint, scoop, and spoiler sit in my back seat. In the kitchen lays the new hatch lifts that I need to install so I can stop carrying around a board to prop open my trunk. The battery's dead so it won't even start. But when she does, she glides as if I'm riding on air. And the stereo's pretty good too. But best of all, she's mine.

I'm 17 and I have had my license for almost eight months now. My first car is still not done, but I have one. I payed a total of $50 for my baby, and what better deal. Yes, I have had to replace just about everything; from spark plugs to brake lines to fuel lines. The paint was peeling and there were many spots that were rusted through. But I put the money into it to fix her up, and although she may not be done, there is a pride I have over the fact that I did not run to mommy and daddy to help me get my freedom. I did that on my own.

One day, driving down the road, my reliable piece of crap car may fall right off the wheels and crumble into a million pieces from all of the rust, but it doesn't matter. I'm working on her, with blood, sweat, and tears (all are quite literal). I don't have enough money to take her to a shop so I'm relying on what little I know and what help I can get from others to fix her up.

I do not believe that parents should buy a teen's first car. It is like a coming of age in my opinion. For their entire life, the teen has had mommy and daddy (step, guardian, etc, whatever word fits their familial situation) buy their clothes, make their dinner, make sure they had what they needed to survive. A car represents growing up and freedom. In order for this to really sink in, I believe the teen needs to dive into the real world and fork over the cash for the vehicle. Yes, this requires getting a job and saving up the money; not going out and spending it on movies and video games. Thus, another lesson is learned in the process. The teen learns what hard work is and how to manage money.

By the parent buying the car, these life lessons can be postponed or even lost all together. I also believe that, when the car is a gift, they do not take care of it as well as they should. If they had to put the money in it, and know what it takes to have it, the teen will be more prone to keep the car in good shape and be more cautious. When they have to pay the bill, the teen will not want to dent, let alone wreck their car.

When the car is not given to them, the teen also learns to not take things for granted. They worked for that car, and can understand how hard it is to get one. This will humble them when they see someone taking the bus because they cannot afford a vehicle of their own. They also learn that you don't need the nicest or best thing out there. Yes, as I said above, I have a crappy car. But it's mine and it gets me where I have to go. Some of my classmates are not so lucky to have a car. They have to rely on others or try and hitch a ride with someone else whenever they need to get somewhere.

All in all, when parents buy the car, the teen loses life lessons. So, as a teen, I am telling all parents: make your teen buy their own car! It's for their own good, and you'll thank me in the end.

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