Pcar for my 16 yr old son?

[rkh3]

My son is 15 & will be 16 at the end of the month.
He and I are working on his Chevy truck now, body work mostly, runs fine, but he losing interest. He is often on Ebay looking at Pcars. He fell in love with mine when we took it for a test drive.
So, the Chevy will probably be for sale soon. A 911 is out of the question (too much $$). What do you guys think about a 944? Seems like a great "entry level" Pcar

[rkh3]

Any thoughts.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6434&item=4505248195&rd=1

[Lukesportsman]

As soon as I saw the title, the 944 came to mind. Its modern enough to have safety in mind (compared to a less expensive 914) and comfortable enough that he won't grow tired of soon. He's young and the 944 will allow some room for modern mod's like his buddies Civics and the like. He gets A/C for his dates and a good alternator for his stereo amps. Cheaper to maintain than a 928, though an early 928 would get him in a slightly bigger/maybe safer car.

For a play car that wouldn't need to be driven in bad weather: 912 All the look of dad's without the running expenses that our boxster engines bring with them. Kind of like the ultimate VW in the eyes of highschool guys I would assume.

I would go for 944 first to make sure he drives safely before the 912 if my son was ready to drive. Luckily I have about 10 years. There are a few Boxsters at our local highschool, but maintenance cost are going to be higher.

[Lukesportsman]

Though the 944 is easier to take care of, much like the 928 it has its own issues. I was searching for one last spring.

1. TIMING BELT
2. Water Pump

These are not self clearancing engines and you'll want to check that this has been or will be done at regular frequency. Just do a search in the 944 section (more active on Rennlist).

[tshih]

The 944 is a higher maintenance car than the 914 or 911. Each 30K miles you have to replace the timing belt and readjust tension or face engine destruction. A Honda S2000 is a better car in that timing belt needs change at 90K miles (1/3 less maintenance) of a vital part. Clutch change labor is 2-3X that for a 911. The costs of entry is low but after factoring the costs of maintenance it's about even how much it will costs for either a 911 or 944. So I would rather find a good running 911S of 2.7L origin since that is the lowest priced undesirable model and do a project restore (in the drive train/engine area). Provided you get a good PPI and avoid the pitfall of needing an engine rebuild or tranny work, a decent running/looking 1974-1977 911S will be had for less than 10 grand.

[Jcon]

My love of cars and time spent working on them are the best memories I have of growing up and spending time with my father.

THe 944 makes a solid choice in my opinion for several reasons

1) You will be sharing an interrest in and participation in a common marque..leads to a lot of father son opportunities.

2) The 944 is a solid and in most ways very modern car with let's face it very cool 16 year old appeal.

3) It's not new. It will need some wrenching and maintainance which helps him understand the car he's driving ( Makes him safer and probably more respectful of it) and provides lot's of quality father son time. Sounds like you already have a lot of that, I just think it takes planning to maintain it once they have the freedom that comes with Keys.

The search alone could be a really great educational experience.

Just my thoughts

Jeff

[1973911s]

What about a 912?

[TopsailBeach]

Do it.

The 944 is a great car, handles well, and has just enough power to be fun. The maintenance issues are great opportunities to learn and work together--my son and I have spent many hours researching, banging wrenches and looking for parts. The car and he are the same age--that's kind of special to him. He's now attending the NASCAR Institute. Your son will also be out on his own before you know it.

It isn't that expensive to maintain as long as you do most of the work yourself. At any rate, it's a small price for a lifetime of memories of a son working with his dad on a really neat sports car.

[Grady Clay]

I gave my son a 911 and a race-prepped 914-6 at age 13.
He is now 19 and they continue to rest quietly until he
gets his undergraduate degree.

At 17, we got him the ideal HS car – 4-doors, 4-speed automatic, and 4-cylinders.
His first words were “Dad, its not a Boxter S.”



Of course he has high hopes.







Best,
Grady

[tsuter]

Get him something like this where he can learn current technology, solid electronics, learn some software and cheap....225HP/250TQ cheaper than any old man's 911.

And air bags too and ABS..... and ASR....

[john walker's workshop]

1st cars should be should be of the disposable variety. one they can learn about maneuvering around objects in without scraping on them, etc.

[midlife]

We went a similar route. 1953 Ford F100 project before my son could drive. Didn't have time to get it done before he got his license. By that time he was more interested in driving than cruising, so we decided to sell it for a sporty car. He was looking at GTI's, but the insurance was too high.
We found a nice 944 Turbo for sale in our neighborhood. $4,000, cheaper insurance than a GTI, air bags, still faster than most other kids $30,000 cars.
Actually his car inspired me to sell my own pickup, and buy a 911 too.

Get the 944, but expect some quality time spent working on it together.

[Nitrometano]

I have a P-car since I was 17 years and in the Hig School. The only thing that my old man says is to be responsible and use the common sense. You know that you have a car that run hard and the other guys with ther Hondas, Eclipse, Mustangs, etc. will like to race with you. So the problem is not the car, is the powerr that like the people. The feeling that you know that you have a car that all the people will like to see, that the people know their speed. And the adredaline get up when you hit the pedal. Right know I own the car for 7 years and I graduated from high school, bachellor degree and at the present I'm in 2nd year a law school.

[SandyI]

I really can't think of a worse idea than handing over the keys to a high performance sports car to a first time driver. But that's your choice. For me, it'd be two years of responsible driving in something underpowered and inexpensive combined with a high GPA and an admission letter to a terrific university, and then maybe then I'd consider the step up to the P-car.

[BigD9146gt]

I'd have to agree with John, its too much responcibility for a first car. No matter how responcible a kid is, the name "Porsche" cannot be ignored by even the most timid drivers.

I remember about a year ago this guy stopped by my work. He was looking to get his son a 914 for his first car. We taked a bit about it, I shared that my first car was an '86 Honda Accord hatchback and was perfect for "learning" both how do drive, and the concequences of what happens when you get out of control. Still he persisted of getting his "responcible, perfect child" a 914. Well, they got a beautifuly restored 74 914 2.0, almost concorse worthy. I never got to see it in that shape thoe, because 1 week after owning it, the kid smashed it into the back of a pickup truck. Although I did get to see it afterwards, I think a honda would have been a much better lesson in how not to go that fast, and to not expect other drivers to see you. Regardless how little power you think the 944 has, if there is a will, there is a way.

The 944 NA is a good car, but like all ageing Porsches, the price is going up. Some things, unless your a mechanic, are going to cost mucho bucks. If your a parent that likes to fund all of his projects, then do it. But if you would like to see him become a responcible adult and take care of his own actions, (and not paying him $50/hr to do house duties) then a 944 might me a bit much. Atleast start him for the first year or two in something disposable. Then. some time during senior year IF he has been responcible with the first car, get him a Pcar. And tell him your plan too!

These are the words of a 24yr old punk, a very greatful, responcible 24yr old punk.

[Por_sha911]

Without knowing your son or your finances it is hard to give good advice. Having said that, there are three things to consider:
1) Although the 944 is cheaper and much more forgiving in the area of handling, it is expensive to maintain (maybe more than a 912?)
2) Most adolescent american males are on drugs: testosterone. He may feel the need to prove how fast his Porsche is and hense end up doing guardrail modifications (or worse). I have always believed that it is better to start "slow and safe" and then with proof of being responsible move him up to a nicer car after a year or two.
3) Get an INSURANCE quote (with him listed as a driver) before you buy the car.

[Jim Sims]

Depends on the young man and your wallet. We bought my son a 911 when he was 16 but immediately began restoring it and he finally drove it away to college the summer between his freshman and sophomore years when he was 19 almost 20. Spent a significant sum over those three years but only equivalent to about 5 weeks of drug abuse rehabilitation at a quality facility. It seems to be a lot more fun spending money on SSI's or P&C's versus lawyers and bail. Took a lot of wonderful time too. I do not have the least worry about him abusing the car; not after slaving over it for three years.





Jim

[Por_sha911]

Well said, Jim. The more he has invested in it, the less likely he is to trash it like a spoiled brat.

[Grady Clay]

Brian,

I have to agree with Sandy. One of the issues for a new driver, even one as experienced as my son, is the personal restraint everyone must have while driving. With a Porsche, the expectations change. Even with the tame ’85 Camery (parked next to the Cup Car above), we had to remind Chris about speed and following too close for the first few months. Put a kid in a Porsche (or any other cool, hot car) and they typically will drive too close to the limit. That is what a Porsche is all about. Unfortunately, some exceed the limit. After some of his HS friends had serious accidents, the message really got through. He is now a very conservative and defensive driver on the street and very fast and competitive on track.

He regularly tows a 2-horse trailer with a long F350 dully crew-cab. Occasionally he drives the F650 with a 35’ 6-horse gooseneck. That has given him an even more cautious approach to highway driving.

Almost all of these kids have grown up with exposure to a “virtual world” with video and computer games. When you crash, you click a button and continue on. Real life isn’t like that. When I was 16, our HS grade was 17 guys. Three of my good friends were killed that year in traffic “accidents.” All were preventable.

One reason I am a proponent of getting the kids on-track at a reasonably early age is to instill the knowledge that if you crash, you don’t finish and you trash your kart (car.) The race track is the place to test the limits of your car and skills. On the street, defensive driving is the watch-word. Most skilled kids don’t realize how many really bad drivers are out there and assume everyone else has their abilities.

The goal is to have these young Porsche enthusiasts live to be old Porsche owners.

Best,
Grady

[CRH911S]

I agree the 944 is the way to go, but not for a 16 year old. My first pcar was a 356, I was twenty and the insurance killed me.
Personally, a 16 year old has growing up to do and judgement and consequences are learned from experience. A 911 or S2000 are very capable cars but a lapse in judgement will kill you in an instance. So as the parent of a former 16 year old I think you should exercise good judgement. I would consider Jim Sims approach and keep the chevy truck for now. Nothing can replace quality time spent with your children.