Kids can and do wreck all kinds of cars, trucks and minivans. When I was a teen driver, I rolled a '72 beetle, spun an '83 Lecar on icy roads at 60 mph, spun a '72 240z on wet roads at 55mph in traffic, and hit a phone pole after falling asleep at the wheel in a rabbit diesel. I was lucky in that the rabbit diesel was the only car that got totalled. I had a '72 Mustang that I did not put a scratch on. It really does not matter IMO what the kid drives as he/she will test it's limits whether the limits happen to be 50 mph or 65 mph on a given on ramp. I mean come on, just about every car made will do 100+. The new cars with traction control and ABS are very fast and with all these electronic aids, they put the limits at way faster speeds.

The only legitimate argument I will acknowledge, is that if a kid has a "high performance" car, other kids will be more likely to coax him into driving like an idiot more often than if the same kid was in mom's minivan. Don't fool yourself though, rest assured, even the minivan will get hammered on every now and then.

Bottom line is that the kids should only drive cars that you can afford to lose. (eg: my daughters' '77 924 and '87 924S)

I will agree with you, reluctantly...Even a WRX would be okay (front and side airbags).

I'm only 22, i own a 911. I definately try to push that car to the limit every now and then, as im sure you're son would too. How can you not? The only advise i can give you, make sure he knows the NUMBER 1 rule. "DO NOT LET UP ON THE THROTTLE IF YOUR TAKING A FAST TURN!" I got lucky when i found out! Other than that, he should be ok.

Rule #1 - don't take a fast turn without suffecient room that if you spin or missjudge your entry speed, you won't hit any oncoming car or stationary object.

that one should be common sense, which is why i got lucky and spun out heading into an empty parkinglot.

I rest my case.

I think all my fears are encapsulated above: common sense, luck and a spin used in the same sentence.

sepsis, please take no offense...my driving and flying transgretions when I was a pup were nearly boundless. I wish you luck and pray for common sense.

Your son's first car is a dream car of every man in this country. Isn't that too much?
Remember years ago, I have been a good kid too. I always take care of any car in the family. Wash and wax my car every time per week, not saying several times a week once in a while. I am proud that I have been a very carefull driver and never had an accident at false but.. I would race whoever came closed to me, and I was driving a nissan sentra. We used to fool around, race, mess people up 300+ miles after shool.
Honestly, I would encourage my son to do these things.

no man , for you #1 rule is not to drive your car without a fan belt.
#2 rule for you is to bloody listen when people give you advice so you don't run any more risk to your engine that you allready ran without a fanbelt for 20 minutes

just like this one


oh wait , that was your troll thread SmileWavy

power placement
 

One aspect is the RWD/Rear COG, this creates for a very unstable situation in loss of traction. Between the medium duty trucks, light duty pickups, 911, 914 and miscellaneous FWD cars I have driven, the 911 required the most attention in low friction environments. This is a lot to demand of a new driver, is your son at all nervous about the car? I would suggest something mild and FWD for the first year or two (insert beater car here, I like corollas and other Toyota passenger cars, good value, durable)

It isn’t about what the car can do, rather about what he can handle.

I still remember this from my performance driving experiences, and it is very true. He gave us some very nice track cars and we quickly learned how out of our league we would be on our own, the track is one thing, but on the road there is other peoples live in immediate danger, and lots of them who don’t know what to do in and emergency situation.
The safest option, according to the last consumer reports I read is the VW Jetta V-6.
Enough power to get you out of trouble, safe and not enough trouble to get out of hand.

I think the best option is something mild to start with, lots of driving experience and if you can, some track time with a seasoned and well explained instructor would help.
Let him get a feel for perdicting what other drivers and the road will do, how the road tells you curves are coming, tel-tale signs of a screwy driver (or pedestrian/cyclist) and suspension.

Hope everything goes well for you and your son.

First i wanna say,
svandamme, just... give... it... up...
your like a f*cking child. It wasn't a troll thread, and the car still runs strong.

Secondly,
I am giving a young guy's point of view, and a bit of advise, that might potentially keep his son out of danger. Just like myself, yonger guys don't always think ahead. Maybe his son will, and my input is pointless, but everyone is faced with temptation at one point or another. Yea you older guys are experts and know how to drive 911's like pro's, but me and the gentleman's son here don't. So before u all start quoting me, and making an example out of me, just realize im trying to help this guy out with whatever little bit i have to offer. If my situation was any different, i could've been in the hospital after that, and it could've possibly been avoided if someone gave me the same advice. Jesus...

I wish someone would give me a 911.......:rolleyes:

Let him earn it, it will actually make P-car ownership worthwhile .

I think you should give it to him. Granted hes a young guy, I think if he respects the car as much as you say he does, you'll have nothing to worry about. Just bring him to DE events (which i need to do myself) and let him get out all his curiosity there about the cars capabilities.

How about we start at some Autocrosses and work our way up to DE's?

Why throw him in a situation where he will be doing 100+ MPH with other cars and walls around him?

You proved they can get away from you in second gear. Why not hone your skills where the worst that can happen is a scuff mark from a cone.

Why so many people jump right on a track is beyond me. It not a cakewalk out there on a track. There is a lot going on and there are other people trusting you. Autocross a couple of years then get on the track once you have got the car control thing down. What you learn Autocrossing will be priceless on the track.

sepsis, you crack me up. you know that guy that thinks he is a great driver, simply because he has been powersliding all his life? like the car is an extension of his body? you are the one!!! i was told by a driving intructor that he has a special eyeroll for just these types of statements.
there are more rules than "not lifting". for example,like "lifting alittle bit".

he's just trolling again

I love the guys that show up at Autocrosses with either their riced out import, super powerful muscle car (Corvette) or high end sports car and they get their clock cleaned by both a 60 year old man in a Miata and a 18 year old kid in a stock civic.

These are the guys that go once get their clock cleaned and instead of saying, hey I have a lot to learn. They say "Autocrossing is a joke, its not real racing" and nover do it again.

I can spot these guys out on the track during DE's. Usually driving a terrible line and not in too good control of their car. They also have a hard time giving a pont by to the faster car and prefer to race it down the straights to prove once and for all their car is faster.

Isn't DE events "Drivers Ed" events? Where they teach you how to properly handle your car? Thats the assumption i've been under. And no i never said im any expert. And svandamme find something better to do than heckle younger drivers on web forums. I want to be taught how to drive, thats why i said DE Events. Maybee i used the wrong term. Correct me if im wrong.

Yes they are Drivers Education. It is assumed you have a degree of car control.

You can go to one a total NewB and you will survive. I see it all the time, but you will either be very slow out there or fast and dangerous. I was a 1st timer and still considered a Novice on some tracks due to my lack of seat time at that particular track. But, every review I have had done has the words "remarkable car control abilities" and "shows courtesy on track is aware of his surroundings" and "totally comfortable riding in this car at speed".

I mearly suggest getting a couple of years of Autocross under your belt. Its cheaper and more forgiving. You will learn a LOT about car control as the courses are set to to try to get you out of wack. If you want to spend the $200+ on a event instead of $30 for an AX try out Evolution. In one day you will get a whole year of seat time and walk away a very good driver... if your humble and listen to what is taught.
Best driving instruction I have ever been through:
http://www.autocross.com/evolution/

To this day I take one or 2 classes from them a year to freshen up.

Thanks for the info! I'll def look into it.