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My daughter just got out of high school. She just landed her first part-time job and will attend college in the fall (locally). Up until this point she hasn't needed a car as I dropped her off at school and she got a ride home. Now that she has a job there will be conflicts with schedules between my wife, my daughter and myself. I told her a few months ago that I will get her a car once she gets a job and pays for her own insurance and gas (she'll probably be lucky enough to make that much money). Initially I planned on giving her my car, a 2007 Accord and getting myself a midlife crisis American classic muscle car (Camaro or Mustang). I don't really want to take on that car payment right now. My Accord is worth roughly 13k. I thought maybe I'll look into a car for $10k for her and buy myself a car when I'm ready. I can get a 4-year old Ford Focus with 80k miles or so in that range. Not a bad first car and good on gas. However, Honda is running a lease special right now for a Civic for $220 per month for 36 months (actually the first month is free). This would be at least as cheap per month as a $10k car. Total payments for the life of the lease is $7,700. Of course she will need a car 3 years down the road. But if I buy the Focus it will be 7 years old at the time. Almost seems to make sense to lease the Civic. But I'm worried that a new car sends the wrong message (I mean for crying out loud I bought my own first car which was a piece of crap for like $500). I just don't want her to deal with a piece of crap trying to get back and forth to school and work. Thoughts?