I currently drive an 02 Taurus that has 158k miles and gets just 20-ish mpg, but it's in great condition, and I think he'll last a long time. I don't have to make payments on it other than my car insurance which is like 650 a year, and since I'm a super poor college student with no job, it's pretty great. However, my mother and stepfather are offering to buy me a new (used) car. They have given me a $10k budget, so I'd be able to find some very good cars. The issue is, they were abusive in the past and have proven to be capable of terrible things. Specifically, they kicked me out while I was in high school and stopped paying for my car insurance, so I couldn't drive. A few years have passed and they have been a lot better, but it is hard for me to trust them, especially since my car is such a vital factor in my life. The car would be in their name, they would be making the car payments, and I would have to change my insurance to be under their names (but I would still be paying for that). I cannot decide whether it would be best to stick it out with my man Doug (my car) or find a new one with better gas mileage, which would be super useful for me as I drive long distances so often. There are many things that could go wrong.. What if I make a life choice they don't like and they call and report the car stolen? What if something happens and they can't continue making the car payments? What if I can't find a job after getting the car so I can't afford the insurance? Any advice would be deeply appreciated! <3

The fact that you are wary says everything. I would be very suspicious of their intentions, especially because they were abusive in the past. Personally I would keep the old car. There's not much to gain from accepting their offer and a lot to lose.

I'm with on this. I would keep the old Taurus if its conditions are still good because no ties are attached to it. It's your perspective that matters. Are you willing to be 'in debt' to them? Do you trust them enough to accept their offer? Do you feel like things would go wrong if you did?

Try to see the positive and negative side of things. If it were me, I would keep the Taurus as it is a safer choice.

Thank you both so much! I have asked them to instead buy me a laptop, as mine is reaching the end of its road lol. Hopefully they will be willing to do that instead. I appreciate yall's input!