BLACK3.2

The only thing that kept me from killing myself an others at that age was that I was driving slow 80s cars. I was drfting an 86 mazda 323 and drag racing a caprice classic. I would have loved a fast car but damn would that have been bad for me.

My kid likes to go fast and take risks. If humans are still driving themselves by the time she's old enough for a car, I will put her into the slowest thing I can find.

If she wants speed, she can work her way into her own sports car.

DanielJ

MB 300D. Big, slow(er), safer.... and still kind of cool.

UFoh

Get him something he's proud of. I feel like that's why a lot of kids beat the **** out of the car they have: they simply don't care about it. Make sure he really likes whatever car he gets

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i would absolutely not buy him an old Porsche though get him in something safe that won't kill him. Maybe look at E46 BMWs or something similar if he wants something sporty. They're really affordable now

UFoh

deleted post, please remove

theiceman

I think kids beat on cars if they have no skin in the game. Its that simple. Its the entitlement generation.

UFoh

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raspritz

IMO, it's a spectacularly bad idea. Having three kids now in their 30s and now all doing great in professional lives, is sure wasn't always that way. As a parent, you actually have only one essential job: keep your kid alive despite his best efforts to the contrary. Our car choices for kids were to buy them veritable tanks, with all the latest crash protection, anti-lock brakes, etc., etc. I can't count the number of minor accidents, many more I'm sure I never heard about, and a few major accidents in which our safety decision saved lives. Buy him a Porsche later, if you wish, or better yet let him buy his own when he can.

porscheconvert

911-TOUR

I learned to drive at 16 on an '83 Chevy Wagon with a personally modified (ahem...supercharger!) small-block 350 that was probably good for 400 hp on the good gas...
I'm still here (barely).

Would still have rather run Dad's 911s, but that would have been begging for death until I actually learned proper car control via karting and then HPDE.

Here be Dragons. Good luck with the decision.

cheers!

Mpoweroo1

That is a good move, still a very nice starter car compared to what some of us had.

reachme

consider getting a bigger car, I'm glad I did. SUV like an old Honda Pilot or Ford Exploder.
Safer in a physics way. Also since they pay for gas they only really want to drive somewhere when they need to.

heidorn

Picked up a 2004 BMW 330ci coupe with manual transmission for my son. Cars are reasonably priced and there are affordable parts and lots of videos available which makes working on the car together enjoyable. The car has been trouble free and his learning to drive stick on the BMW has made the transition to driving my 911 much easier.

I have to say I’m impressed with the car and I like the idea of 17 year old driving manual meaning both hands are occupied as he can’t text and drive.

cairo94507

My son turns 15 next month. Just the other day my brother asked if I was going to give my son my '16 Audi S3 for his birthday in a year. I looked at him and said, "Why don't you love your nephew?" I would never give him a quick car for his first car. He will get an Uber account and then maybe an old high-mileage, mechanically sound 4 door sedan that costs about $2,500 for his first actual car. I know in no time it will be dented up so let him get it our of his system with that. If I could find an old MBZ diesel 4 door tank.......

golfnutintib

my 2 sons are now 22 and 19

when son 1 started driving i got him a 2002 mbz e320 w 130k mi that belonged to a relative... he was a competitive golfer so could use a sedan w big trunk... car was well known to us, well maintained, slow to accelerate, strong if in an accident... couple years later with no incidents we got him an almost new 08 jetta gli dsg w low miles apr tune 300 hp fwd ... quick little sedan ...he has used it ever since thru college, now has it with him as he starts his real first job

son 2 started w an acura tl 120k miles, once again, a larger, solid, well built reliable car, nice enough, practical but not overtly sporty or quick... couple years later with no incidents we got him into a 100k mi stock hawkeye wrx manual tranny -- it's his little sporty wagon now, he loves it and is learning how to mod it little by little... this son loves sports cars, asks for s2000, miata, 370z, cayman... each time the answer has been no... lesson taught is as a kid, w one car, you need a car that is practical first sporty second... later in life you can earn your fun/toy car...

both sons are great kids, i have had them to drive at numerous car control/track days over time, for enjoyment and skill building... i let them use my cars for those, first slower cars with street tires then move them up the food chain. both are now excellent drivers, capable and aware on the road, proficient on track

maybe my experience can help the op

Keith Guidus

Our son learned to drive stick on our 911 and i spent hours in a parking lot letting him experience what happens when he lets off the gas in a 911 WITHOUT any electronic nannies.
We got him a FORD Ranger to haul his MX bike and he rode a street bike also(VTR1000&KTM DUKE). None the less he took our 911 one evening when he had a bad day through the canyon here and took out a street sign and right fender and hood. He backed of the gas which they ALL do!
A 944 would be safer A