The age of 'gettin Grown'

Neither

If your child values independence and mobility at this stage, a car might be the better option. However, if they are ready for more responsibility and are thinking long-term about their living situation or potential income generation, a mobile home could be a smart investment. Ultimately, it could also be worth discussing with your child what they envision for their future and how each option aligns with their goals.

I think if you have the means, a car would be a nice option! It can help get better opportunities for work & college. A mobile home isn’t really something I’d think of as a gift but that’s just my point of view. Another option could even be a CD to start a college fund!

My kids are required to buy their own cars (and they have)

Not a car. That’s immediately depreciates. The mobile home is a bad idea simply because she does not know where she wants to live as an adult. Sure at 16 having this is cool but—what if she goes to another state for college. What if her dream place to live is not where this mobile house is. Also running a rental property is a lot of work but It can be extremely Lucrative but…you don’t know what type of lifestyle she will have post college. She might travel the world or live in another country for a job opportunity. She might want to by the beach or mountains. I think this is a smart and amazing gift—but not for someone who has NOT seen life beyond high school and living with mom/dad. I THINK save that money and upon college graduation, give it to her. Put it in an account that builds up more money over the years without taxes on it.

Rental property takes a ton of work and has a lot of liability. It would need to be their idea - if it was their idea and I had the capacity to support it, I’d try to support it. But I would never gift a rental property to someone who hadn’t already put a lot of thought into it. I also don’t consider a mobile home a great option for future housing - the upkeep is complex, it could easily break down between age 15 and when they would need it, it can easily become a money pit - I would much rather them live in my house until they are able to come up with a solid housing plan on their own. Cars are nice, especially if it’s one that will last them through college and the start of their career. A nice gift might be getting them something small, and putting money into savings to help them later.

Car or savings. She might want the money in 10 years for something other than a mobile home such as starting a business or going ti college.