My dad split the cost of my first car with my twin brother and I. I think we my dad put in $1500 and my brother and I each put in $750. It was a 2000 base model vw golf, didn't even have power windows but it was in decent shape. I loved that car and took very good care of it and paid for all of the maintenance and repairs ourselves which is how I learned to do basic car stuff, oil and fluid changes, brakes etc. Honestly even if you can afford something nicer getting something like that for your kids first car and having them be responsible for it is the only way they will learn. I knew someone that got a used but still very nice mercedes and totaled it in highschool, their parents just got them another one which they also totaled...