914 for Junior?

[Alfred1]

Originally posted by mikez
I was once mellow and studious....look what happened.....

This is where you need the picture with the bunny ears ...

[Joe Ricard]

I just have to agree with Rouser.

Personal experience bought a 74 Alaska Blue Metallic car. for 3K
needed some TLC. My 16yr old and I worked on it together and got it running and looking fine. The boy started to drive it to high school. After he put a stupid loud ass stereo in it. He bought 1/2 the car from me ( I thought this would give him some pride in ownership).

He expected the car to run forever, (we know better). He neglected it and I ended up fixing tweeking fixing and fixing. Took car from him several times. made no difference. When the final straw fell and he over revved it and broke some valve train components I just let it sit. Pulled the insurance and stored it in a garage. Pulled motor and started to fix when the whole car and garage went up in flames.

Boy now drives beat up old Ranger with Louder ass stereo. I am positive I miss the cool blue teener more than he.


The thought was 2 seats, not real fast, stops like nothin else, corners fantastic, should be a safe car.

[cary]

Buy two..........

I was in the same boat. But, I'm in a rural area. Big Difference. We bought one to do as a father son project. But I got too busy building the shop to get started. So last summer I bought a driver for him to have ready for school. It's pretty rough. Lets say, a 50 footer. But a great interior and a great 1.7. The first few months I unhooked the throttle switch so it wouldn't go much over 3000 rpms.

He's doing real well. But he too, is a bookworm and computer nerd. No tickets. No ran over mail boxes. No falling off the road and no wrecks.
Like most his friends. So we'll keep our fingers crossed.

The biggest thing for me is that it only has 2 seats. Seems bad things happen when the group gets to 4 or 6. No Laws here in Montana mandating that. Wish there was.

But he's on a pretty short leash. To and from school. To and from work ( 1 -2 days a week ). Maybe a once a week trip to Missoula, 20 miles. Then to his friends after school. He pays for his gas and insurance. Dad pays for the extra, because its a sports car, Porsche.

[silver2.0]

Don't be afraid of getting him a 914. If he is a decent driver. If he is 13 now my advice would be to get him a dirt bike. IF you learn to handle a motorcycle in the dirt, get used to sliding, and controling something that can FEEL out of control, then you don't panic when you get in a car, and something goes wrong. That's what my father did for me, and I know it has made a huge difference. Good luck with the project. My first car was a 240z, later converted to a 400ci small block chevy with a 5 speed.

[BGman]

I have to agree w/ Rouser and the rest- the comment about 914's needing patience is right on.

Although as a teenager, I enjoyed working on my car (and kids should learn the basics, which will create a can-do attitude and save them money in the future), few will want to put in the time needed to keep a 914 properly maintained and on the road. My guess is that you will be spending a lot of time on it simply to get your own car back!

And on safety.....I would not put my teenager in a 914. It will not fare well against people like me who also drive big SUV's and the statisitics that your teenager will be in at least one wreck, before learning that driving really is dangerous, is too great to dismiss.

Now if it is YOUR 914 that you occassionally let him drive under fear of DEATH if he puts one sigle scratch in it.....

[3D914]

cantdrv55,

I like your handle (cantdrv55) - You're not alone there!

Anyhow, another factor you can add, to improve the odds for positive results, is to buy him a copy of software for his computer.

Specifically a drivers-ed program. There are several companies that make PC software that simulate street driving on the computer. I'm not talking about Need-For-Speed, or Sports Car GT - those are fun, but the drivers ed software is serious training to prepare students for driving on the road. The programs also provide grading and evaluation aspects to them - so parents can monitor the students progress.

I have considered the very same thing with both of my sons with my 914. Unfortunately they would rather play PC games (at age 12 & 14) then learn about cars. My two younger daughters enjoy helping a lot though.

So I've just decided to wait until their ready. I'll find a nice 914 /1.7 or I believe a 924 would be a good choice for them as well - in some ways better than a 914 in terms of drivability, A/C, etc. Either would not have an abundance of HP, but allows for some fun & pride of ownership. I would also support their involvement in the PCA where the tools are available to become a better driver - off the street.

But I don't want to corner them with Porsches. I suspect I'll have to learn about Hondas, Nissan's or Toy's, but if that's what it takes to support them in their choices - so be it.

Keep pondering.

[Kevin Powers]

does he want a 914? if it's just going to be a "first car" with no enthusiasum attitude, it won't live long.

kevin

[cruiksdr]

It's a great idea provided you don't let jr actually use the car until about age 27ish. Talk to Dave at GPR. He has 1/2 of a very nicely restored 914 that a dad gave to his 16 year old. After one week, the front half was wrapped around a telephone pole

Even the most well ballanced kids become slightly psychopathic in the company of their friends. Get him the 240. We had one (okay a 140, but same idea) many years ago -- not exactly a babe magnet, but it was a solid, heavy tank. Good transport and very safe. Get the 914 for you and your son to work on together and drive together, but save it for him until he has the maturity to appreciate it and care for it fully. My 2 cents.

[murphys]

What kind of car does your son want? What kinds of cars are in the school parking lot? One advantage of a 914, over the Bug my son and I did is the One passenger limit. The trouble he got into driving was when he had a car full of "encouragers," i.e. "see if it will climb that," "I herad these are good off-road," "Slide it!"

[What's my name]

Good 'ol wife won't like the idea

[murphys]

There is other kind of trouble a "normal 16 yo" can get into in a Volvo that would be hard to do in a 914

[cruiksdr]

Originally posted by murphys
There is other kind of trouble a "normal 16 yo" can get into in a Volvo that would be hard to do in a 914

Ahh yes... I remember those days well. Lots of room in that back seat

[cantdrv55]

What he really wants is either a 356C or my SC. He knows he'll be lucky to get anything. He's not taking my generosity for granted. Most of the cars and trucks in the high school parking lot are Japanese. Fortunately, most kids nowadays don't see our old p-cars as sexy so low risk for theft. If it doesn't sport a "type R" sticker, it ain't cool at least in my neck o' the woods.

I know what you mean about the other kind of trouble. Have you noticed that there are no more drive-in theaters?

[GWN7]

I bought the 70 and gave it to my son who was 15 at the time when I bought a nicer one for myself.

Yes it's small, but it's cheap to insure and is reasonable on gas. He can afford to drive if when his buddys can't afford gas for their V8's

[Andyrew]

I bought my 914 when I was 15, and have been spending a whole bunch of time modifying it to be a street/autox monster. I drive it daily, and I love it. My dad has helped me during the whole time and has been a wonderful experience.

Now my dad has 2 944 turbo's and I love them, but they are pretty fast, and for a new driver, I dont think it would be such a good Idea, the 914 is relitavely slow, but will handle amazingly.

I would go for the 914..

now I do have to say im going to put a 300 hp subaru engine in my 914.. but thats just because I love hp..
So be careful when he asks for money to do a v8 conversion swap..


Andrew

[murphys]

356 C with a Bug engine may not be such a bad idea.

[Acox914]

Originally posted by cruiksdr
Ahh yes... I remember those days well. Lots of room in that back seat

well.... i seem to be doing okay in my 914 (insert making out smiley here). LOL.