P. Diddy got his son a $360,000 car for his 16th birthday! How much would you spend on a car for your child?

First, I would never spend that much money on a car..... It's still a box with four wheels, no matter what the hood ornament looks like. Second, I would never buy that extravagant a gift for my child. I have come up with my own "first car" solution.

When my son turns 15, I'm going to buy him a car, one that he would like, but needs a bit of work. He has the entire year to fix it up, and make it his own. When he turns 16, it's his.

Why would I do this? I'm hoping that the hard work and money he puts into it, is a deterrent to prevent him from driving recklessly or abusing the privilege. I hope that he takes pride in the accomplishment and takes more care when on the road with it.

I also want him to see that anything worth having, is worth the work it takes to have it. LOL, I wouldn't say this much work though....hehe.

Things like this always make me twitch a little bit because I view cars like that as badges of accomplishment. Why not give the kid an S550 until he gets out into the real world? I guess if Diddy wants his son to partake in his success though, that's his prerogative.

I read about Drake, the rapper, actually getting his own Rolls Royce Phantom with his own funds. S mom said he shouldn't have bought it until he was more successful and wouldn't let him park it in front of her house.

I don't think the cost of the car should matter, so much as safety and making sure the kid appreciates what he's got. A kid should appreciate a $200 car just as much as a $300,000 car, because it was a gift given out of love. A 16-year-old also needs a car with a lot of safety features, and to be taught the huge responsibility it is to drive several thousand pounds of steel and glass down the roadway.

Personally, I will be asking my kids to work towards the cost of their car, gas, and insurance, if they want to drive. I think they'll understand the responsibility more. My gut reaction is that the kid is being spoiled just because his dad invited cameras to the party ("we're so great, peasants at home should watch!"), but at least he donated one of his birthday presents to charity.

EmOh wow, I guess I should have refreshed my page (opened a few hours ago) and scrolled down, before asking a question similar to yours. LOL. So I guess I will just answer your question.

I think that a first car for a new driver should never be that expensive, no matter how much money you have in the bank. The fact remains that if the young boy is not careful driving, not even his brand new, expensive toy can prevent him from having an accident or save his life. Also, young drivers have increased accident rates, simply due to lack of driving experience and showing off their new (or used) cars.

Car ownership just evokes a sense of pride in the teen that may want him to show off his first car (along with his driving skills) to all his friends. And who would not want to flash a brand-new, $360,000 Mercedes to his friends? The truth is that chances of Diddy’s son driving somewhat more irresponsibly in this flashy new (and possibly fast) car are slightly heightened.

Young stars or children of celebrities have many times in the past suffered the consequences of irresponsible or careless driving and chances are that many will continue to do so in the future, not undue to the fast and attractive cars they can afford.

I think it is asking for trouble. The odds of a child wrecking their first car are so high, which is why they have just licensed drivers pay such a high premium. There is so much that he could do as a parent to teach responsibility for the things you get.

This 16 year old will know nothing about hard work and saving for something you really want. I am feeling judgmental and I say it is ridiculous. I think the child should earn it and not be handed a car.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.