Serious Post for Once...

[Z28RockStar]

OK fine Steve. . . I see your point and agree totally, however I'm just more fond of 18yr old FEMALE Camaro owners, no matter who the hell bought it!

lolololololol srry haha couldn't help it!

[BlueDragonVT]

First let me state that we absolutely should not tolerate name calling and rude, childish behavior from our members. I believe the C5 community is better than that, and that we can all manage to treat each other with decency and respect.

That being said, do I believe that a 16 year old kid should have a 400 HP beast as their first car? NO I DO NOT. This has nothing to do with whether or not they earned it, deserve it, worked for it, etc., and everything to do with experience and responsibility behind the wheel. Would I have loved to have this car when I was in high school? Hell yes! Today, though, I can tell you that I am glad my parents gave me a 12 year old beat up pick-up as my first car. I know how I drove that thing, and if I had been in an SS, I probably wouldn't be alive today. In fact, I lost two friends in high school in car accidents. One was show boating and acting a fool, the other was in the passenger seat of a friends mustang when they tried to jump a hump in the road, went into oncoming traffic, and the passenger died on impact.

I'm not saying this to lessen anyone's enjoyment of their car, like I said, I know I would have been thrilled to be driving one at that age. I'm 29 in case anyone is wondering. I'm saying it in the hopes that some of our younger drivers read this, and keep it in mind when they are behind the wheel. I hope you love your cars, take care of them, and still have them when they are old enough to be called classics. I hope I never read about any of you getting in an accident and hurting yourself or someone else. Basically, I'm just saying be proud and enjoy your car, but do it responsibly. I just worry that a sixteen year old won't realize just how much car they are getting into.

[ssump29]

Originally Posted by metallicide

This is true to a certain point, at a young age people tend to be alot crazier behind the wheel, myself included. Not all younger people are like this but considering when high school lets out i have people swirving to the other side of the road tryin to impress their friends......dumb. Again not everyone will be like this.

That's why I said maturity resides in the individual because I have friends that are in thier 30s that act just as you described still to this day, so time and age has done nothing for them. I was a kid back in high school that was driving a 400hp car that didn't show out just because my friends wanted me to.

It's like that at a certain age early on right around 10 years old you either know better and do better or you know better and still act a fool. No amount of time well ever change that until the individual learns to control themselves. Bad judgement is bad judgement and age isn't the factor, its the excuse!!

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

Actually, I've known a quite a few people like that. I was one, but my money went to college, not a car.

Back in 1979-1981 I cleaned boat bottoms for 20 bucks an hour, I worked night shift at Wendy's for minimum wage, I worked for my father building houses at 7 bucks an hour, and I picked strawberries and cucumbers in the summer for a pittance. This, on top of playing Football and being involved in filming game tape for the basketball team.

I also had multiple paper routes in the morning and had been doing that sort of thing since I was 12.

I had about $10,000 saved up before I hit 16...but it didn't go to a car. I did buy my Charger for 1000 dollars though my 2nd year in college. $10,000 then is probably worth a LOT more then.

As someone else said, not every 16 year old kid is a punk that has no idea how to work hard. Many are, but you can't just assume every one is.

Originally Posted by DevilsReject97

The difference here is that you don't have any idea what the actual situation is.

To start, I paid under $32k for my 2011 1SS....let's assume he got a player deal on a 2010 2SS for around $32k....which isn't impossible...

Now let's say he's worked the last 2 summers and saved up all his money in between from gifts and what not....he could have saved up....$4000?

That makes the car around 28k to finance....payments somewhere in the 450-500 range....insurance is most likely under his parents....so it's gonna be cheaper than on his own....but he's paying let's say $200..

I made $700 a month working for 6 months at a computer store when I was 16 in HS....I worked every day after school and all weekend long to get 25 hours.

It can be done, and if the car matters to the kid more than video games or other crap, he'll get it done...

I managed to come up with 4k in HS to buy a 65 Impala SS.....so yeah.... call me a little annoyed...

Look, I respect the fact that it can be done. You two have shown that. I'm just saying I would bet you pinks that this is not the case in this situation based on what he said. Besides the fact, if it were me and someone doubted me, I would tell exactly how I got it done. I think it is really cool that kids today can get these awesome cars, it's just very unrealistic to think a 16 year old did it ALL on their own as he has indicated. You guys are the exception, not the rule.

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by Z28RockStar

OK fine Steve. . . I see your point and agree totally, however I'm just more fond of 18yr old FEMALE Camaro owners, no matter who the hell bought it!

lolololololol srry haha couldn't help it!

I think all of us male drivers feel that way

Though, at 47, I'd like to see more 18 year old female hitchikers that will do ANYTHING for a ride in the Camaro...

[Ghost1LE]

Steve, thank you for setting it straight. It's not fair to judge every young teen who has a Camaro. I'm one of them and I don't remember ever coming out and stating my age when I started a thread, not unless it mattered which it didn't.

I happen to make very good money doing what I do (Designing Websites, which me and my friend learned to do starting in 8th grade). I make more than enough for my car, and I spend a little bit on mods and my car payment and the rest is in a savings for college. I could afford a 2SS but I don't need it nor do I think it's necessary for my first car.

I'm very fortunate to have the car, and I take care of it and I don't think anyone should be judged for their age. There are plenty of adults who don't deserve this car as much as some teens.

[mikester0612]

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

Look, I respect the fact that it can be done. You two have shown that. I'm just saying I would bet you pinks that this is not the case in this situation based on what he said. Besides the fact, if it were me and someone doubted me, I would tell exactly how I got it done. I think it is really cool that kids today can get these awesome cars, it's just very unrealistic to think a 16 year old did it ALL on their own as he has indicated. You guys are the exception, not the rule.

How many times have I said that I am not doing it all on my own. I already cleared all this up.

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by mikester0612

Never said I make all the payments. I stated that my dad helps me on the payments that I can not pay. On top of that, nobody asked about insurance. I will be glad to say that my dad pays for my insurance. If he did not pay for it, I would not be able to afford this car and therefore would not have one.

Thank you!!! This does clarify your situation. I have no problem with your dad helping you out however how much. Enjoy your car.

[Mellish50]

I love this thread

A lot of good points made in regard to age, finances and maturity.
Its a lot easier these days IMO for people to plan for and save for a car such as a camaro.
Just be responsible and do not fall into the stereotype we young drivers are clustered in.
Me and my brother put aside a few hundred dollars every month since 06 to try and afford a camaro, even after 5 years of saving we still could only afford a v6.
People gotta lose the stigma, we are supposedly like a family based around these amazing cars. Stick together people! geez

[mikester0612]

Originally Posted by BackinBlackSS/RS

Thank you!!! This does clarify your situation. I have no problem with your dad helping you out however how much. Enjoy your car.

Thank you!

[snow_leopard]

look, i dont mean for this to come out the wrong way but oh well. at 16 years old noone, not even the prince of god damn england, should be driving a brand new car. this right here, is the reason society and its standards are going downhill. personal opinion.

but hey, your life. live it love it

[BackinBlackSS/RS]

Originally Posted by mikester0612

Thank you!

You are very welcome.

[ssump29]

Originally Posted by snow_leopard

look, i dont mean for this to come out the wrong way but oh well. at 16 years old noone, not even the prince of god damn england, should be driving a brand new car. this right here, is the reason society and its standards are going downhill. personal opinion.

but hey, your life. live it love it

You sir are a fool and jealous. Lose the old attitude of work like a hog to be able to feel proud. New day and age buddy and this is one thing that's changed. Oh yeah when my son turns 16 he will be getting a brand new car probably a BMW, LEXUS, Porsche or whatever else I feel he should have. Why cause I can do that and it's fine. He also will know the vaule of things and how and what he needs to do to be successful.

[Mellish50]

plus having a new car is probably easier on a kid financially, old crap brakes down a lot