Looking for opinions on Land Cruiser for a teenager (3 Viewers)

[Skiime]

Okay, I realize this is sort of a loaded question, or really just a way to justify to myself that I'm making the right choice.
So I think I've decided to move on to the dark side (well, not really dark side, since I'm still staying in the Toyota family), and have been kicking tires to get an LX 600 F-Sport in the next couple months or so. I would absolutely get a LC 300 if they brought them to the US, but that's not an option, and I really kind of hate the new LC, so the LX it is. Believe it or not, I actually think the F-Sport looks pretty sweet with the right wheels and tires...but that's beside the point. My real question is what to do with my 2013 LC. I really don't want to get rid of it, so my wife and I were discussing giving it to my son when he turns 16. I had originally considered letting him drive it before, but then I started thinking about how bad the gas mileage is (for a teenager), how large it is to drive, and is it really an appropriate vehicle for a teenager...meaning is it just "too much." We had thought about getting him a used Tacoma or 4Runner, but dang, no shocker, but the prices on those are crazy high. So he's now been driving for a few months now, and has surprised me with how well he drives, so it kind of brought me back to thinking that maybe the LC would be a good option after all. My two main concerns are safety and reliability, and of course we have two check marks there, and he doesn't seem too bothered by the size, but I guess I'm having a little hang up about giving a kid what was originally a $70,000 car...and yes, I realize it's old and not worth anything close to that now, but it's still something I think about.
So I guess I'm really looking for your thoughts and opinions on what I should do here. Anyone of you in a similar boat or done the same thing? If you think I'm being stupid for doing this, or even just overthinking it, let me know...I promise you won't offend me!

 

[dms]

Okay, I realize this is sort of a loaded question, or really just a way to justify to myself that I'm making the right choice.
So I think I've decided to move on to the dark side (well, not really dark side, since I'm still staying in the Toyota family), and have been kicking tires to get an LX 600 F-Sport in the next couple months or so. I would absolutely get a LC 300 if they brought them to the US, but that's not an option, and I really kind of hate the new LC, so the LX it is. Believe it or not, I actually think the F-Sport looks pretty sweet with the right wheels and tires...but that's beside the point. My real question is what to do with my 2013 LC. I really don't want to get rid of it, so my wife and I were discussing giving it to my son when he turns 16. I had originally considered letting him drive it before, but then I started thinking about how bad the gas mileage is (for a teenager), how large it is to drive, and is it really an appropriate vehicle for a teenager...meaning is it just "too much." We had thought about getting him a used Tacoma or 4Runner, but dang, no shocker, but the prices on those are crazy high. So he's now been driving for a few months now, and has surprised me with how well he drives, so it kind of brought me back to thinking that maybe the LC would be a good option after all. My two main concerns are safety and reliability, and of course we have two check marks there, and he doesn't seem too bothered by the size, but I guess I'm having a little hang up about giving a kid what was originally a $70,000 car...and yes, I realize it's old and not worth anything close to that now, but it's still something I think about.
So I guess I'm really looking for your thoughts and opinions on what I should do here. Anyone of you in a similar boat or done the same thing? If you think I'm being stupid for doing this, or even just overthinking it, let me know...I promise you won't offend me!

When my grandson turned 16, I got him a Subaru Outback. It was a nice car and within the first month, he hit a curb and severely damaged the right front suspension. After that was fixed, he ran into something that scraped the passenger front door and tore off the mirror. Oddly, after a hailstorm totaled it, he got a small Kia with the proceeds. So far, he has taken decent care of it.
My point with this is that kids run into things. If I had given him my LC and it was wrecked, I would have been sick. That being said, not all 16 year olds are the same. I have another grandson that is now 11. He has been driving since he was about 5 or 6. I turned him loose in the cybertruck when I got it and he took everyone for a ride around the neighborhood. My 11 year old wants my LX600 when it turns 16 and assuming the engine in still in piece, I will probably give it to him.

 

[tbisaacs]

Lucky kid. Mine got a Corolla I think it's great to pass on privilege to your kids, especially if it's a "last forever" vehicle. But I don't know about you all, I was a moron until I was like 40 years old and even now it's still debatable.

 

[Skiime]

Ha, I agree with both of the last two comments, which is another major reason I'm hesitating. Luckily my kid is no where the dumb ass I was at his age, but he's still a teenage boy, sooooo there's always a chance. I've always said, I'll never understand parents buying their kids brand new cars, but you're right, he'd still be super lucky to have a 13 year old one. I guess I need to decide what would hurt less for me...seeing a "new to him" car potentially get banged up, or my old car potentially get banged up.

 

[krice118]

You already own it and it’s incredibly safe. Plus more $ for gas is less $ he can spend on drugs and booze.

 

[ryanCA]

My kid is getting a IS300 Sportcross or a 200 Series Land Cruiser.

Whichever has less room to make babies in.

No way would my kid get a 13, or even a 16+. He is ugly, and needs to drive a ugly 08 that fits.

 

[jlm43]

I guess I'm having a little hang up about giving a kid what was originally a $70,000 car...and yes, I realize it's old and not worth anything close to that now, but it's still something I think about.

Multiple aspects to break down here.

Part one, Perception. And the reason for my quote. Those that know your situation will understand your decision. Those that don’t know your situation, can screw off. I have 18 and 16 year old daughters. Both girls had a target of $10k with any overage being split between their checkbook and mine. First one got a 2014 Cherokee. Not the best pick but she loved it and it was 2022, prices and availability both sucked. My 16 year old got a 2013 RX last fall. 141k miles, two owner, very well maintained, and in excellent condition. Price was $12k. I received significant pushback from family about getting a 16 year old a Lexus as first car. I bought a RX for the same price that an equivalent RAV4 would cost. Their pushback was all based on the perception of a 16 yo driving a Lexus. To me that’s fueled by emotion and jealousy due to them having s*** boxes for first cars. Those aren’t good reasons to buy, or not buy, a certain car. Logic says get the best, most reliable, car that they like and you can afford

Part 2, Financial. At the end of the day, if selling the LC and getting them something cheaper won’t make a difference on your wallet, you do you. No one here can decide that for you. I’d like to think that if you’re getting a new LX600, the cost of gas in your son’s 200 won’t break the bank. Now if it’s worth $35k, getting them something under $20k and putting $15k into a Roth for them isn’t a bad idea either. Always best to plant the savings seed early.

Part 3, the kid. Not all kids are on the same path. Good kids? Good grades? Good friends? Working? Sports? IMO, these all factor into what their first vehicle should cost. If they are on a good path and busting their butt with school, sports, work, etc, reward them appropriately. Giving hard working kids nice stuff doesn’t spoil them, giving them anything for no effort on their part does.

Part 4, Safety. It may be too big and use too much gas, but they are definitely as safe as possible. There are way to many “what if’s” in this category. The most important one is, how would you feel if they were hurt in a major accident in a small car knowing you could have kept them in your 200 but you were too worried about other people’s perception?

Part 5, Summary. If they are good kids, and it fits your wallet, I’d do it for sure. I’d probably give it to them but keep it mine on paper. Ensure they use it to get through college and maybe a year or two more without trying to trade it in to get something different.

 

[ryanCA]

But I don't know about you all, I was a moron until I was like 40 years old and even now it's still debatable.

I am still a moron.

 

[jlm43]

My kid is getting a IS300 Sportcross or a 200 Series Land Cruiser.

Whichever has less room to make babies in.

No way would my kid get a 13, or even a 16+. He is ugly, and needs to drive an ugly 08 that fits.

Maybe a MR2 or S2000?

My daily speech to my teenage girls is “no making lives, no taking lives, and don’t get it on video”.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

With an 11 year old and a soon to be 13 year old, my wife and I are starting to have this conversation.

Current stable:
2013 200 Series
2016 200 Series
2016 Prius - we bought this when my wife started to commute 120 miles a day again. Thankfully that was short lived. Great little car that will probably hang with the 200s in reliability and longevity.

My wife will eventually want something else in the next 4 or 5 years. Maybe an LX if the price is sensible for our budget. I would never sell either of our 200s - ever.

My thought is to let my daughter drive the Prius, but she's very picky even at her age. If she passes on the Prius, sell it and buy a used Prado 250 for her (if Toyota ever refines that 4 cylinder or offers it in the V6). I would then pass down my 200 to my son when he's 16 and build out the 2016 for myself. But I'm also with @Skiime on the gas mileage being so poor for a teenager's car.

 

[ryanCA]

Maybe a MR2 or S2000?

Nope, taking those to my grave with me. Then my wife will sell them for peanuts I am sure.

 

[jlm43]

Nope, taking those to my grave with me. Then my wife will sell them for peanuts I am sure.

What’s your wife’s name again? Just want to make sure I get in line early for your estate sale.

 

[Blackford Oakes]

Maybe a MR2 or S2000?

My daily speech to my teenage girls is “no making lives, no taking lives, and don’t get it on video”.

I like it. My only two rules for my kids are, graduate college and don't get pregnant or impregate.

 

[Catching Neutral]

My son inherited my Tacoma. He is almost 18 and has had one wreck. Not his fault. You can’t control other drivers.
Your 200 is a 12 year old car that you already own. I wouldn’t hesitate “loaning” it to him.

 

[ryanCA]

What’s your wife’s name again? Just want to make sure I get in line early for your estate sale.

Clarisse. Works at Chicken Ranch. Drives a 200 HE.

 

[TheIcemanCometh]

I am watching a friend go through the same thought process as the OP. Except he is planning on giving his daughter his 4Runner which is not all that old and getting a new vehicle, perhaps a used LC. Another friend's kids all got well used vehicles. They have all been in accidents.

With any kid getting a vehicle the question is who is going to pay for the gas and insurance? Though I was not at fault I damn near totaled my parents car. My parents said I could drive but I had to pay the difference in insurance cost once I was listed on the policy. I recall getting a bit of gas money.

Most every modern vehicle has far more safety features (namely airbags) than the vehicles from thirty plus years ago. I would give a kid a very common but safe vehicle to drive. The more common the easier to repair when (not if) they get in an accident.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

There is only one appropriate vehicle for a teenager's first car, and it doesn't matter whether the teen turns 16 today or in 2055... the vehicle is always a 1999 Civic.

First cars are always disrespected, raced, beat to s***, unmaintained, with unmentionable things happening both inside and outside (sometimes simultaneously). A 200 series is way, way, waaaay too much for a first car. The 200 will also set unrealistic expectations for future vehicles.

Kids got to start on the low end of the vehicle spectrum. Cheap, economical, slow as hell, reliable, and borderline disposable. Work their way up from there using their own money. Give em something to aspire to, and a sense of achievement & progress when they upgrade. If the 200 series is not needed, sell it and put the cash away into a guaranteed investment vehicle, then gift it to the kid when they are older, wiser, and have achieved something in life.

 

[manofthewoods]

I am still a moron.

Me three

 

[jlm43]

There is only one appropriate vehicle for a teenager's first car, and it doesn't matter whether the teen turns 16 today or in 2055... the vehicle is always a 1999 Civic.

First cars are always disrespected, raced, beat to s***, unmaintained, with unmentionable things happening both inside and outside (sometimes simultaneously). A 200 series is way, way, waaaay too much for a first car. The 200 will also set unrealistic expectations for future vehicles.

Kids got to start on the low end of the vehicle spectrum. Cheap, economical, slow as hell, reliable, and borderline disposable. Work their way up from there using their own money. Give em something to aspire to, and a sense of achievement & progress when they upgrade. If the 200 series is not needed, sell it and put the cash away into a guaranteed investment vehicle, then gift it to the kid when they are older, wiser, and have achieved something in life.

In theory, I agree. But in practice, I think the individual kid adds a great big variable to the equation. I've tried to teach my kids about proper money management, enough that my oldest is starting college this fall to be a CFP. People of all ages set themselves for financial failure with their vehicle purchases. I'm trying to get my kids to find a nice, reliable vehicle that they enjoy so they will take pride in it and not want to finance a new car every 2 years just to "work their way up".

 

[MRego]

I am a fan of the "loaning" proposition above and keeping in your name to avoid stupid decisions, such as trading it in for a used 250Prado.