I bought a new car when I was 18 (ekk - 10 yrs ago!), I think it was around $14,500 - I was a full time uni student but worked part time. My parents actually had to go co-borrower because my work history wasn't long enough (although I easily made the repayments myself).

I'm really suprised that your DSS got that loan on her own, I would think a bank/lender would be more sensible. Guess it shows that they are all just after the $.