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Got a job at 14, bought a car at 15 in 2001. 1985 Ford Escort. Had a school permit because of after school activities. I lived on the south side of town and the high school was on the north west side of town. If I lived closer to the high school, I probably would have just walked.
 
Each of my three kids had a access to a car to drive in High School. The only stipulation was good grades and participation in school activities. Their insurance cost was based on a sliding scale determined by grades. The cars included a 1986 celebrity four door, 1998 dodge minivan, and a1998 Chevy Silvaroado. All mechanically sound but not something the kids wanted to be seen in.
 
In six years, my daughter is going to get a 2015 Honda Odyssey with whatever mileage my wife leaves it with.

My niece loved inheriting her mom's mini van. She just loved the practicality of it it could haul friends and stuff really easily. It served her all the way thru college, then rust and engine problems sent it to the scrap yard.
 
I am really going to date myself here. I had two cars at the same time. My first car was a 68 Dodge Charger $300. Then I purchased a 69 Mustang convertible $2000. Had to work my arse off.

Those were both sweet cars.
 
Lived a block away from school, so, no car for me. Did have access to my dads "used car lot" though.

First car that I bought was a '05? Chrysler Concorde, purple. Totaled it on the way back from college.
 
1976 Toyota Corrola 4 door with faux wood paneling that was rusted out. My friends all had nicer cars so I never had to drive.

My kid got a car at 14 1/2 for school permit.

We have kids in the neighborhood that are 16+ and havent even got their permit, odd ducks.
That seems to becoming a thing. Getting your permit then your license was a top priority when I was young.
 
1963 Chevy Impala from the grand parents- Bought first car 1976 Camero Soph year hs $1,200. (wrecked didn't know it until got title) Drove it for 5 years then let the rents sell it. In retrospect I should never should have let either car go. My sister had a 1970 pontiac sunbird it fell apart so my parents bought a 1970 beetle for 50 bucks she drove that for 2 years sold it for 50 bucks to gym teacher who drove it for a 3-4 more years.
 
Yes, shared a ‘67 4-door Chevy Impala with my sisters. It was a hand-me-down from our grandpa who lost his ability to drive, so he started driving a golf cart around town!
 
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My first was a'76 gold Pontiac station wagon. I only had that briefly because it was given to an older sibling that needed it. My main ride throughout high school and most of college was a '82 Oldsmobile Delta 88 aptly named Buella. She got passed down to me after going through two of my sisters. I'm glad that car couldn't talk.

I'll pass along my Camry to my daughter in a few years and get something more fun for myself. It should have around 110,000 miles on it, and will be a good reliable car for her. She'll have one of the cheapest cars in her school when the time comes. It's friggin crazy the types of cars some of these kids are driving in high school.
 
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My grandparents had a '89 Ford Escort they used to tow behind a motor home to Arizona in the winter. They got too old to make the trip, so they gave it to me as a 16th birthday present.

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Five-speed manual. It was fun. I am the only person under 40 I have ever heard of learning on a stick, not an auto.

Traded it and cash to my father for a Camry, and then he sold it. Still on the road in Boone County.
 
I did but initially I still was forced to ride the bus some days. Car was actually 2 year older than I was and was a boat with one of those big metal bumpers. It was a 12.5 mile drive to school and we literally lived in the furthest SE corner of our school district so riding the bus sucked because usually was 1 of the 1st ones on and last ones off. Eventually got a part time job after school that was a 30 minute drive from school (only 11 mile drive from home though) so car was necessity at that point.

Won't have to worry about buying a car for my oldest for at least 9 more years but guessing I will put some of the same restrictions my parents did on me about when they can use it. Definitely will not buy anything too new or fancy either, will be just a reliable used car as between the insurance and likelihood a teenager will get in a fender bender at some point not interested in spending more than what is practical. I never quite got why some of the others in HS had to drive newer vehicles or an expensive sports car or truck. I'm sure some had mom and dad helping pay the bills but really no point in having all those higher expenses at that age just for the sake of feeling you are cool. Save your money for other things you enjoy more or college.
 

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