Thank you for the thoughtful posts. I've made up my mind. I'll have my son read this thread. He'll understand why I can't give him the Porsche. I just love him too much.

Thanks again.

I know I'm getting in on this rather late.

Moses, my son gets his permit next week (if he passes the written test). He'll get his license in October, by then he'll be a junior. He has saved his money for years and finally has enough for a good used car. I thought he ought to buy a Volvo 240DL. He was OK with it even though it is slow and handles like a boat. Then I remembered the only accident I ever had as a teen driver.

I had a hand-me-down Chevy Chevette. Very economical, seats 4, hatchback, American. The thing was so slow that I could not move away from the lady who plowed into the rear end. I saw it coming but that freaking Chevette takes half-a-day to reach 55 mph.

Yup, the Volvo is supposed to be super safe and built like a tank. But I think I'd want my son to be able to drive defensively and be in a car that can take evasive action when needed. That's why he'll be driving the MINI (not S). Airbags all over the car, stability control, bright yellow color, run-flats and daytime running lights.

I, too, think a 911 is too much car for a teen. However, my son will be autocrossing my SC at next year's GGR autox school at Candlestick. Best way to learn emergency handling and car control.

It is a joy to read about good kids once in a while. I would supply him with something big, slow, gawky and SAFE. You absolutely want a safe car, with airbags- they are inexperienced and have a higher risk of accidents than they will in a few years. The roads are different, and much more dangerous than when we were kids. Spend some time teaching him how to drive- and I don't mean how to drive to the dairy queen - they need to learn what to do in emergency situations. Autocross is good, skidpad, practice emergency stops in the rain, etc. My son was 16 once, great kid- 1590 on sat, just accepted a 5 year phd fellowship at Columbia, etc. Went to a magnet high school with a bunch of really great kids just like him. Of his closest group of 7 guys- all just like him, really great kids,- MIT, Stanford, Brown,etc- they ALL had an accident of one type or another between 16-20 yrs old. Most, thank goodness, where just small fenderbenders. One car ended upsidedown. I don't care how good your son is- the people around him are normal idiots- half of which are below average at everything. A safe car with every airbag you can imagine will keep him safe, and let you sleep better. A slow car will help keep him out of trouble when he gets momentarily stupid, because he will. A nice gawky car gets him everywhere he wants to go- except maybe in the back seat- and keeps him from showing off when he gets mometarily stupid. Let him drive the porsche at the autoX.
Congratulations on raising a great sounding kid
Gary

A small tear, and respect for you, Moses.

Keep him safe,

Jim

I forgot to say this - its true. My 944 got me out of a few fender benders due to its agility. It has just enouhg pwoer to pull up to the speed limit ok. My Dad was in a loaded van, saw he was gonna get rear ended, and stepped on it, same as you, didn't quite make it.

The perfect response. Good form. Your son will thank you......someday.:)

Excellent reply, and the right decision.

When you taught your son to ride a bike, did you start him out with training wheels, or just throw him on yours? It's a similar situation, and regardless of how responsible your son is, he needs to put in some time. Driving is a skill, and skills require practice. I think the autoX idea is an excellent one, he needs to find his limits, and the street is not the place for it. I totalled 5 cars in my first two years of driving, and they weren't even fast. The reason, pretty well without fail, was a lack of judgement working hand in hand with not knowing my limits. Start him out in something reasonably fun to drive, safe, but not too fast. Let him work his way up to your Porsche.

I know how much temptation there is to give your son the best, mine is only two and I already find it hard to say no, to deny him things that he wants. In this case, just like yours, it's a matter of what is best for him, regardless of whether he realizes it or not. When I was 16 I wanted a '66 Mustang with a 289 that I found locally. Right in my price range, and a decent car for the little money I had. My dad said no way, in fact he said no way to most of the cars I wanted, and I hated him for some time for that. Now I'm 26, and looking back I know exactly what his reasoning was. Even if your son doesn't understand now, he will someday.

Wise decision Moses...you won't regret it.

I think we are going to see an increase in demand for used Volvos...

My son just received his drivers license yesterday. Scored 100 on his drivers test. His first car is a 1996 Honda civic- he paid for half. we just put new struts and a clutch in the car. Strange thing with this kid, he would rather have mom drive than do it himself. We've had to push him to get licensed.

No kidding. That could take a while.

But, after all you're not banning him from the car, just that he doesn't get to drive it everyday, unsupervised (directly).

Let him drive it by himself...around an autocross course or at a DE day. Dont let him drive it on the street by himself, theres probably to much temptation there for him and it wont end good if he went to hot into a corner or some such. Have him get a 944 and help him with matience if he needs it. Less power, most likely more predictable handling (i've never driven a 911 so i can't comment), brakes are great on the car and if he gets an S2 or a turbo he'll have airbags, which do have some merit. I would shy away from a 914 simply becaue they most likely would preform like a tin can in an accident. Another consideration is do you want your son driving your 911 to his school? Highschool and college kids seem to have no respect when opening doors around other cars and most seem to have no ability to park correctly either. Not to mention that the other kids will be jelious and the risk of vandilism to the car is there.

EDIT - Somehow i missed the last three pages of this thread when I posted. You've made the right decession moses, he'll thank you later.

He has a point, HS and college lots are brutal. I don't know what it is, but total indifference seems to be king. My 540 wasn't perfect, but I've gotten to where I quit looking for dings, it's just depressing.

its not exactly a 911 but my first car was a 1987 924S (a mere 2 years ago)

get him a Volvo for the first year...

tell him if doesn't hit anything and gets less then two tickets he can use the 911...

i just don't think kids have that kenistectic sense yet to judge moving objects til at least a year of driving..


this coming from a kid who bought his own 911 at 18 and now has a 3.3T in it at age 20(+one day)

Less than two? My parents said one ticket or accident and my license would be cut up on the spot, car put up for sale, etc.

I vote for finding a well-maintained 944.

I'd suggest you let him "buy" into the Porsche with the money he'd have spent on the Mustang.

That way, he really does have a vested interest in how it is driven, and how it is maintained.

My dad had a 75 911S in 94 when I got my license. My first car? an 86 Saab 900 8v 4 dr 5 spd, that I sold my dirt bike to buy. I learned how to work on a car via that Saab. And boy did I learn. :)

I've raised a daughter. Dunno a thing about sons. But having done so? She now in her mid 30's, a licensed and working R.N. who is wearing out her second hubby? I still wonder what weird thing makes us want to have kids in the first place...aside from the joy of sex, I mean. Generally speaking, kids are a royal PITA! Also, they are expensive. Hmmm, kind of like early 911 cars... ;)

Get him something big and heavy and american for his daily driver. Then get him a 356 or 912 project for the P car factor. You two can have fun together getting it setup for him to enjoy when he is older and insurance rates are more reasonable.