parenting advice

With everything that you wrote about your situation and her attitude, I say that you are not crazy in the least. With your/her type of thinking and bond, you can never do to much for family, IMHO, and you'll be rewarded for it throughout your life.

Money is all relative anyway. It sounds like you are both savers, and you know that you get what you pay for. Yes, you can buy a working vehicle for 1500, but if you can afford 8500, you get the bonus peace of mind that goes with it.-
I would not want my 16 yr old daughter breaking down on some highway by herself. Maybe more importantly than her contributing 1000, is that she can pay her own insurance, gas and maintenance. Teach her how to check the fluids, and insist on regular oil changes, etc.

ITA with Painted and Skips!

I agree with her ^

This is a very good idea. I always stressed with our son that changing the oil and checking the tire pressure are the two cheapest things you can do that will save you the most.

thanks!

thats a really good idea!! Thank you, I think that's what i'll do.

Yea she already knows how to change oil and check all the fluids, and a few other things

Wow, that is admirable.
To me, it would depend on need. My daughter just started driving so I gave her my car - I don't need it. :) She needs it to get to school (no bus). But if I were going to get her a car and take mine back - I would get a her a new one only b/c there is no question about its dependability and near future "costs" of repairs, and I would stress this better last beyond college!!!

I wouldn't buy the car and the reason has nothing to do with your sister or you. Most teenagers mess up the first car they drive pretty good. I'd much rather see a teenager male or female driving a big solid cheap vehicle than driving something nice. But her a 4000 dollar car and put the rest in a mutual fund for her. That way when she wrecks the car she'll have some money to buy a new one.

Let's take a poll. How many people here wrecked a vehicle within the first 3 years of driving? I wrecked two before I was 18.

Wow, you must be a terrible driver!.

I have never wrecked a car, unlike some people, I am an excellent driver.

Oops double post