Rinty

When our daughter turned 16, we leased her a new Golf TDI. She has had no accidents, but the car is well dinged, and both bumpers are askew. We bought out the lease, as it would have cost too much to return it.

She's 21 now, and is a good kid, but in retrospect we should have got her a used Honda / Toyota / Nissan. We also would have saved big bucks not having to take out collision insurance.

Texas993

I have a similar idea for my son (who will turn 16 in 2.5 years, so I have time!). A regular Boxster is not too fast, is well priced, is reliable, safe, and only has 2 seats. I think that it makes as much sense as a comparably priced Honda, Nissan, etc.

deadhead1960

Not sure about Canada but in the US there is no way a car company will allow you to lease a car, list a teenage driver as a user of that car and not get collision coverage. I guess all insurance is a waste of money...unless you need it!

Bearclaw

My younger daughter was T-boned at a 4-way stop by another kid her age, who was driving a late-'60's vintage big-*** pickup. He was digging around for his cigarettes and blew right through the stop at about 30 mph, never touched the brakes. It totaled the '94 Volvo 940 she was driving, but she was unhurt, just shaken up. It's a good thing we had plenty of insurance, because he had NONE. The most important criteria for me in choosing the kids' cars was what it would look like after a 3/4-ton Jimmy broadsides it, or after it rear-ends a dump truck. Because it's going to happen.

This Progressive commercial, where they tell you to "name your price" for insurance, cracks me up. Seems like an encouragement to be underinsured. A lot of people out there already name their own price, which is ZERO.

SeanR

Same here Patrick, 2.5 years to go.

Mine gave me the option of a 2010 Audi R8 V-10 or a green 1978 928. Guess which ones she will get

To the OP, congrats, she will love it.

NC TRACKRAT

Before the DE's or Bondurant, may I suggest you enroll her in one of the BMW CCA Street Survival events? They are specifically geared to teens and they come away with greater appreciation for car control and how not to get into trouble. Also, as previously mentioned, autocrosses will teach looking ahead, importance of late apexing, throttle control and stopping distances....all in a controlled environment. Tell her its a great way to meet guys!

nile13

Rich, I would really strongly suggest making the ownership contingent upon at least a couple of PCA autocrosses or some sort of performance driving classes.

I was instructing a 17-year old girl in her dad's Cayman yesterday. Interesting experience, and she was very appreciative and started feeling the car much better by the end of the day. As a guy who cut his teeth on mid-engined cars, I'd really insist on some education in a safe environment.

fast_freddy

I agree about a two seater for a youngster. I have niece who has a Miata and even she said most of her friends wind up going in other cars therefore limiting exposure to peer pressure.

RDS928S

Niles, we will both attend a NJ PCA car control clinic @ Meadowlands NJ.
I'll just watch. I already know how to slide the 993@ the track.The shifter go-karts are the ultimate for practice!.
Will be good for her to understand: thershold braking,countersteer,opposite lock etc. plus actually feel it.
Thanks for all input-she is a very timid driver. Im sure the instructor will scare the crap out of her.

Rich

1pcarnut

A big +1 on that. It's a good school, our middle daughter went to it and it's worth the time.

But, let me tell you my similar story. First daughter was not into cars so she got a Jeep Cherokee with a straight 6 and automatic. Had no problems with her.

Second daughter, likes cars and so we found her a 1989 944 non-turbo with a stick. Most of my friends thought I was nuts. She was the same as your daughter, good grades, good kid so my argument was the same as yours. A week after passing her license test she totaled it hitting a fire-hydrant. I still don't know the whole story but she claims she hit a rock which pulled the wheel out of her hands causing the car to veer to the right.

The third daughter just got her permit and a chance to get a Ford Explorer from a friend came up so that's what she'll be driving. Take from this what you will. Best of luck to you and her, hope it works out for both of you.

RDS928S

Never trust a teenagers re-count of an accident

1pcarnut

It was only 2 blocks from our house on a residential street so I don't think there was excessive speed involved, just carelessness. Oh well. Made her pay for the fire hydrant though, $1500.

Davies

My oldest just blew through her tenth birthday. I am - reluctantly - listening intently to this conversation.

Mike J

Just as a point of comparison, to insure a stock Mini for my 18 year old daughter, no tickets, no accidents, is $3500 here in Canada. $1200 is cheap!

Cheers,

Mike

vincer77

So, many of you have posted recommendations for driver's ed courses like Bondurant. Now I don't know about you, but if when I was 16, someone showed me how to make a car go fast around the race track, I would have certainly tried to make the car go as fast as it could on the way to school - I did anyway. So, what is the purpose of these schools for the teen? To teach them car dynamics so that when they inevitably drive too fast, they will have some chance to be successful?

The Street Survival class mentioned sounds very interesting and I assume is focused on how to handle emergency situations that occur in everyday street driving. One of our local PCA members teaches a class for teens, but I am not sure what the emphasis is - need to look into that. Is the BMW school available to anyone?

I have a 15 year old daughter so this is something I have to deal with soon. Luckily, my daughter is more attracted to trucks and SUVs than sports cars. My 14 year old son on the otherhand has a penchant for pony cars.