How to Get Your Parents to Buy You a Car

Asking your parents to buy you a car is a good way to get a vehicle when you cannot afford the cost on your own. Parents usually have more disposable income than their children. Money, however, may not be the only concern your parents have regarding this issue; so, be aware that asking them to buy you a car requires a multifaceted approach.

Instructions

1

Obtain a driver's license, if you don't already have one. This will show your parents you can responsibly use the vehicle you want them to purchase. Preferably ask a parent to help you practice for the test; this will allow your parents to become more comfortable with the idea of you behind the wheel.

2

Offer to help pay for the vehicle. If necessary, get a job. Even if your weekend job only pays a fraction of the cost of the car, contributing to payments will show your parents that you personally have invested in the purchase and recognize how much it is worth.

3

Brush up on teenage driving facts by consulting an authoritative source, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Teen Drivers page, which discusses the increased risks involved and ways to mitigate them. You can demonstrate to your parents that you are knowledgeable about adolescent driving dangers and that you yourself will become a cautious, sensible teenage driver.

4

Find ways that an added vehicle can benefit your family as a whole. Maybe you have a younger sibling, for example, who needs to be picked up from soccer practice or a grandma who could use a ride to the doctor's office. Offer to drive them on a regular basis. This will show your parents that buying you a car will reap benefits for everyone and not just you.

5

Research the kind of car you want. Consider your parents' budget and how much they will be able to spend. Look for car dealers around your area and learn which ones have the best prices. If you are hoping your parents will buy you a used car, learn how to select a good used car.

6

Demonstrate personal responsibility in other aspects of your life. Make sure your grades are good, come home before curfew, walk the dog, clean off the table after dinner, etc; this will show your parents you are a responsible young adult they can trust.

7

Be upfront about your goal. Parents are not stupid and will recognize a calculated change in behavior when they see one; trying to hide your aspiration will make them wary about trusting you.