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I'm sorry but the ideas of buying a beater 30+ year old car is not a good idea, not as safe as newer cars, not as reliable etc. As much as I loved my 83' 944 and 87' 951, I wouldn't be typing if something went bad driving those. Maybe a 88' or newer 944 (air bags) but still riskier than a newer still fun car s4, c32/55, m3, 996, boxster, etc I'd rather get hit in any of those than a 944, 928, MBG, etc. But even the safest cars still can't ensure you won't die, brake bones, etc. It's part of the risk.
De-tuning the ECU on a 996 is probably the best option if you really want him in a 996. (something with PSM though), have you thought about v60 r or v70 r, both cheap to maintain, insure, very safe, somewhat fun...hell the v70r is just cool (imo, fast wagon, at the time).
I got a s4 cabriolet for my gf recently, it was cheap, safe, great in snow, and the top down actually is a lot of fun.
3-series BMW, Miata, or maybe even a Nissan/Infinity coupe.... If you go beemer, get one pre-2006. They look better than the new ones IMHO and are great driving cars.
And make him somehow equitable in the situation.
If he doesn't kill that car in a year and proves to be responsible enough to be that generous - then maybe sell it off and look at upgrading to a trackable Porsche.
You can adjust the throttle cable to not give as much power on a 99, or put a restrictor in the intake of any model... Though I'll echo the rest, old cars are not that safe and even a "lowly" 944 turbo (near supercar performance for it's day), is only slow compared to modern performance cars. A 996 (even with 260hp or whatever) is more than enough to get a kid in trouble.
Teenagers have not fully developed the ability to project the likely outcomes of their actions into the future. A teenagers brain largely mirrors that of a severely handicapped person in this way. Good luck!
I've posted this before. Here's what my oldest daughter did to the Hyundai Elantra I bought her, and she is a very safe and sane driver. A car went out of control on the freeway in front of her, causing her to swerve and hit the median K-rail, flipping the car and causing it to roll several times. So, I really don't think that de-tuning a 996 is the way to go.
The indie I used to take the Volvo to when something obscure would break had an awesome poster: a monster truck and a line of cars that were completely crushed - except the Volvo, with the logo "Can you spot the Volvo?"
Thanks guys...I read everyone of your suggestions... And its all good perspective and advice, it has made me think which is why I even threw it out there. Sometimes we get caught up in our own dreams to have our kids by our sides in our work or hobbies. So based on this thinking, I will just keep him in the car he inherited which is a 2000 e320 Wagon...safe like a Volvo and built like a tank. In the meantime, teach him how to drive a manual with one of my cars and let him continue his track experience gocarting....
Thanks. She got a sore neck and a small cut on her elbow from the glass. The car kept her safe, which is why I bought her another Elantra to replace that one.
You can adjust the throttle cable to not give as much power on a 99, or put a restrictor in the intake of any model...
Just count the seconds until such a restrictor is removed
Teenagers have a sh**load of time at their hands and are usually very creative!
Originally Posted by Cuda911
Thanks. She got a sore neck and a small cut on her elbow from the glass. The car kept her safe, which is why I bought her another Elantra to replace that one.
(Not to the Elantra, but I can understand why you bought a second one!)
Regardless of the engine, this is the wrong first car to have. Even with the 2.5L Boxter engine, the car will be fairly fast, everyone will want to race with him, etc.