Before I was going off to college (17 at the time as well) I was given the same offer from my parents, my first car of my choice under $45K. At the time I was really excited, I would've bought an Evo X MR.

I actually took an hour and thought about it. Then I proceeded to tell them that I decline the offer on the basis:

• This would be a lot of car for someone to start my life off with.
• I would be in my "invincible feeling" stage of my life and would most likely make retarded choices that I'd come to regret later.
• I don't want their money. I'll rather wait to buy my own performance car with my own paychecks. The feeling you would get from taking care of your car from this is astronomically great.

I needed a car though, so I told them to just give me the basic Mitsubishi Lancer ES. Served me well. Plenty enough of car. There was a lot of emotions when I gave up the car, all the shit I've been in, all the crazy encounters, my mom accidentally backed into both the driver and passenger sides, lots of bouncing in hidden parking lots, runs in the law enforcement, numerous of accidents not caused by me, spun out on a bridge and managed to stall it, etc. Fast forward to today (26 now) I've gone through three cars, drove in numerous performance ones when a couple of buds were racing at the track. Finally managed to have money to buy the car of my desires.

I'm not saying don't get a WRX, but what I'm trying to say is to sit down and think about it. Can you keep up the maintenance? Would you be able to keep your car in good condition? Is it really the best for you to have that much car as your first? Will you be able to appreciate the car as if you bought it on your own? Just my life's experience to share with you.

Man, this is how I know I'm starting to become a boring old man.