16 YO driver + 90GT. Recipe for disaster?
#61
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My first car was a 69 Mustang Mach 1. Luckily, it was broken down more often than not reducing my opportunity to kill myself and others. Had I had more road time with it, I probably would have done both and I was an A student and a good boy as far as my parents knew.
Prior to that, I drove my parents AMC Pacer which, in hindsight, was really a great car. I wonder if that had any influence on my current automotive preference.
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#62
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I strongly second the motion on getting him to the track with the car as soon as you can. If he is even remotely normal, there will come a time when he wants to see what the shark "can do"............ You want him to do that on the track, not on the street. Best of luck, and yeah he is one lucky guy and all his buddies will think him the BSD..........because he is.
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Originally Posted by laufenOutLoud
Personally, @ 16 I drove a late model 5-speed 4-cylinder Volvo wagon and my parents both dictated that I pay for it AND the insurance. They could've afforeded either for me but I am very grateful that they didn't. Even with all of 112 hp pulling nearly 2.5 tons I still managed to get a speeding ticket of 115 mph on I-16 between Savannah and Macon, GA.
My point is: regardless of what car a kid is driving they have to make a decision not to push their limits.
My point is: regardless of what car a kid is driving they have to make a decision not to push their limits.
Anyway, I used to max the Nissan out at 108 on the highway, it took days to stop from the speed. We used to do 360s, drifts whatever we could think of.
But I always had more respect for the Mustang and especially the 928. Even though I still drove fast I was always careful with the Porsche. And surely I was safer in a car with big brakes and better handling.
All I am saying is I look at it like this - If my kid is like me he will speed in whatever car he has, consequences be damned. Nobody could talk any sense into me at the time. But I would rather have him in a safe car that he respects even if it is faster. Because even a 95 hp Nissan can go 100+. It just can't stop or change lanes from that speed. My high school had kids driving M3s, Camaro SSs, a couple of very fast turbo Supras - they treated those cars like their baby's. Two students were killed in an Accord, one in a Toyota, and several seriously injured in a Navigator.
We all drove like maniacs, but I feel like those of us driving sports cars were slightly more well equipped and more respectful of the cars abilities.
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Doesnt matter if it's a 928, or a Mazda 626 with 100bhp, he'll find a way to smoke the tires, do donuts, and get it upto 120mph. Ask me how I know. Everyone has a wild streak in them, especially behind the wheel. So no, I wouldnt let him take the car. A BMW e30 325is is a perfect beater car though. I've bought those as winter cars a few times and always got my moneys worth.
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Originally Posted by docmirror
- thank you all BTW, very insightful, we've decided to get him a truck or large beater for a few years.
Doc
Doc
THANK YOU. I actually lost sleep on this one last night
and he will thank you when he has teenage kids and looks back at this.
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Hey guys, again I appreciate all the viewpoints, and thanks for sharing your back stories like mine. We're gearheads, grease is in most of our bloodstream. My son isn't like that at all. He just wants something to drive. some of the other suggestions he's had(influenced by me of course) are a late '70s El Camino, original Mini Cooper, and a VW Golf. None of which are particularly safe driving cars.
We'll prolly get a truck so we can use it for other things on weekend. Kind of a dual use vehicle. Modern Dodge trucks are pretty safe, mainly because their big, and bulky. I've got a Durango, and it's been amazingly reliable for 175k miles.
When we had the take it easy discussion, I told to think about what the headlines in the newspaper would say if a 16 YO smashed up daddy's Porsche. It would embarass him no end at this age, and although it seems juvenile, embarassment is to be completely avoided at 16. The discussion on giving him respect for his decision making and allowing him to control his destiny is pretty much how I feel. He's done nothing so far to warrant any discipline other than the occasional rant to finish homework, or clean up the bedroom. It's scary how well behaved he is, and not because I'm a tyrant about it either, actually pretty laid back in terms of parenting.
So, he's not driving today due to a problem with the car(in another thread), but I'll let him use it from time to time and we'll keep him in another car for a few years. Texas has the graduated license program. He can only drive from 6am to 9pm, no more than 50 miles from home, only one passenger, and any moving violations in the first year is a six month suspension. So far, he's agood judge of his abilities, let's hope that continues.
Doc
We'll prolly get a truck so we can use it for other things on weekend. Kind of a dual use vehicle. Modern Dodge trucks are pretty safe, mainly because their big, and bulky. I've got a Durango, and it's been amazingly reliable for 175k miles.
When we had the take it easy discussion, I told to think about what the headlines in the newspaper would say if a 16 YO smashed up daddy's Porsche. It would embarass him no end at this age, and although it seems juvenile, embarassment is to be completely avoided at 16. The discussion on giving him respect for his decision making and allowing him to control his destiny is pretty much how I feel. He's done nothing so far to warrant any discipline other than the occasional rant to finish homework, or clean up the bedroom. It's scary how well behaved he is, and not because I'm a tyrant about it either, actually pretty laid back in terms of parenting.
So, he's not driving today due to a problem with the car(in another thread), but I'll let him use it from time to time and we'll keep him in another car for a few years. Texas has the graduated license program. He can only drive from 6am to 9pm, no more than 50 miles from home, only one passenger, and any moving violations in the first year is a six month suspension. So far, he's agood judge of his abilities, let's hope that continues.
Doc
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Originally Posted by mark anderson
My son bought a 91 AT when he turned 16. He has put more than 15k miles on it in the past 1.5 years. No tickets, no accidents and no regrets so far. The insurance was about the same cost as a newer Honda (still expensive). Our rule with him is any speeding ticket 15 mph and over the limit the car gets sold- no questions. It was going to be any speeding ticket but if he got one for 7 over and was going with traffic I think that would be a bit harsh.
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One of my son's best buddies, a real nice kid who had gone on many ski trips with us, in a way sacrificed himself for his friends. He died less than a year ago in a horrific single-car accident in the family MB sedan, apparently after leaving a party at which there was alcohol. It was a very diffcult, rude awakening for all of his friends and family. I've never seen so many people completely torn up at one time as the kids and adults at the wake and funeral events for him. I cried right along with my son and all of the others. It was a tragic, senseless loss, and I can only hope it had a huge impact on all the kids there, making it clear that they are not invincible.
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Originally Posted by Ed Scherer
So... color? Condition? Price? Expected availability? ![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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I wonder how many there has been that dad doesnt even know about?
Not all kids with hot cars will be killed in them. I just dont feel it is worth the risk.
I made it. and Ill tell ya, i look back and wonder how. It was a triumph tr8 and it had no speeding tickets in it, but there was plenty of times that spelled disaster..
Last edited by Shark Attack; 01-23-2007 at 02:15 PM.
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Originally Posted by Shark Attack
WHEW!
THANK YOU. I actually lost sleep on this one last night
and he will thank you when he has teenage kids and looks back at this.
THANK YOU. I actually lost sleep on this one last night
and he will thank you when he has teenage kids and looks back at this.
('cause I was a "good kid" too, but there are thigs I did that I still cannot tell my parents about, 40 years later!!!!!.......)
#73
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Doc - I'm in the same boat, with my 17yr old driving The Blue Car.
Obviously, I think he's the greatest kid...because he is. Nevertheless, he drives our little pickup most of the time and especially to school, while getting accustomed to the 928 as well as doing a heavy portion of any required wrenching. Over the past 8mos, he's appreciated NOT driving it to school for damage prevention and noticed how many "nice cars" get thrashed by bad spontaneous decisions and drivers thinking they can drift like the best of 'em. Fortunately, having his own fast car has helped him pay more attention to how others act with theirs and a desire to think a bit more before planting his right foot.
I try to spend quality driving time with him whenever possible and impose as many real situation cost/benefit equations for him to ponder. He WILL drive faster than he should and he WILL scare the b'jonkers out of himself doing something stupid at some point. That said, he is understanding the "mystique" of a fast car and that he doesn't have to race everyone (or anyone for that matter), to still have a fast car. Since any coffee can exhaust teen wants to race, he sees the enjoyment of blipping the throttle and then smiling off a contest, to let people continue to rumor about who's car is faster than the next guy...but not actually knowing.
Take as many drives with him as you can to talk about how things really are, and show him how to respect it's speed; find an open space to make him do panic stops, turns, acceleration in a controlled environment and/or go to a DE if you can. Then when you let him take it out for a date or borrow it for a special occasion, you'll both feel better about him knowing "this is not like driving the truck".
Good luck.
Obviously, I think he's the greatest kid...because he is. Nevertheless, he drives our little pickup most of the time and especially to school, while getting accustomed to the 928 as well as doing a heavy portion of any required wrenching. Over the past 8mos, he's appreciated NOT driving it to school for damage prevention and noticed how many "nice cars" get thrashed by bad spontaneous decisions and drivers thinking they can drift like the best of 'em. Fortunately, having his own fast car has helped him pay more attention to how others act with theirs and a desire to think a bit more before planting his right foot.
I try to spend quality driving time with him whenever possible and impose as many real situation cost/benefit equations for him to ponder. He WILL drive faster than he should and he WILL scare the b'jonkers out of himself doing something stupid at some point. That said, he is understanding the "mystique" of a fast car and that he doesn't have to race everyone (or anyone for that matter), to still have a fast car. Since any coffee can exhaust teen wants to race, he sees the enjoyment of blipping the throttle and then smiling off a contest, to let people continue to rumor about who's car is faster than the next guy...but not actually knowing.
Take as many drives with him as you can to talk about how things really are, and show him how to respect it's speed; find an open space to make him do panic stops, turns, acceleration in a controlled environment and/or go to a DE if you can. Then when you let him take it out for a date or borrow it for a special occasion, you'll both feel better about him knowing "this is not like driving the truck".
Good luck.
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Parenting ain't for wussies...
I said Parenting not Breeding, as in raising useful, responsible,
thoughtful, considerate, entertaining children.
We can't box'em up and put them on a shelf til they're 20 (can we?)
and hope all will be well. They learn about life and responsibility
from minor, relatively inconsequential errors. Just call this thread
Rennlist Dr. Sprocket.
As parents we teach by word and example and hold our breaths when:
they take first steps,
start school,
take a firearm into the wilds alone,
date,
drive(any vehicle),
college,
have KIDS of their own.
I tip my hat to all you parents out there. Gutsy bunch.
G'luck all.
I said Parenting not Breeding, as in raising useful, responsible,
thoughtful, considerate, entertaining children.
We can't box'em up and put them on a shelf til they're 20 (can we?)
and hope all will be well. They learn about life and responsibility
from minor, relatively inconsequential errors. Just call this thread
Rennlist Dr. Sprocket.
As parents we teach by word and example and hold our breaths when:
they take first steps,
start school,
take a firearm into the wilds alone,
date,
drive(any vehicle),
college,
have KIDS of their own.
I tip my hat to all you parents out there. Gutsy bunch.
G'luck all.
#75
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My dad bought a 924 when I was in high school, and let me drive it occasionally. Good starter Porsche for a teenager....low power, but handled good. Couldn't get out of it's own way in the stoplight drags, so I never took the bait. But it was a lot of fun. My brother on the other hand, preferred to drive the Ford mini-van in high school. He could fit all his friends in it, and always had a nice big comfy place to sleep when all his friends went camping.....besides, the ladies preferred the van to a tent.
Now that I'm older, I'm glad I don't have to worry about a teenage son/daughter driving. The expense and liability issues are scary.
Rich
Now that I'm older, I'm glad I don't have to worry about a teenage son/daughter driving. The expense and liability issues are scary.
Rich