Teen Driver and Boxster

[Lil bastard]

If I had a kid, I'd do what my father did with me.

The weekend of my 16th b'day, I got my license...and... my dad brought me, along with his 356 to an auto-x.

Learning the limits of the car, as well as my own, in a controlled environment, really taught me to play nice on the street.

[vath2001]

Well, for one, my father never had a Porsche. If he did, I doubt I would have been allowed to drive it. Lets face it, at 16 we were idiots behind the wheel. Totally indestructable and fearless. Only with age have we accumulated wisdom and tolerance.... and economic means to afford our toys.

Besides, I think if my Dad saw the way I drive my Boxster, he would take away my keys.... and I'm 43.

[944boy]

My dad is crazy behind the wheel, he's worse than most 16 year old's. I think that's why I was more responsible, when we rode with him we all thought we were going to die.

it also helps to have a slower car, like the 944. With 130hp I got it up to 130 once... and that took miles and miles. After 100 drag took over and it didn't want to go any faster. Maybe we should have restored the 356 super-90.

Sleeved to 1790cc it might have been as fast as the 944 with crappier brakes and 4" tires.... second thought that might not have been so good.

[rob76turbo]

I am letting my son, now 16, learn to drive the Boxster. The pounding the clutch is taking is probably going to mean a new clutch a little sooner......but that is also part of the master plan....

I will than go to my wife and say...wow! our son toasted the clutch and now I need a new one. That means LWFW, Spec I or II Clutch, RMS and IMS updates.

Oh, and when he gets proficient enough, we are going to do a DE together.

[LoveBunny]

I had a 944 when I was 16. I treated that car like gold, but I also bought it myself with a loan from my grandmother and had to work to pay it back so I knew the value of it. I also had to pay all the repairs, etc. I think it depends on the kid. Some would tear it up like my friend who used to have a BMW and ruined the transmission because he was listening to classical music on the highway and at a certain point in the music he'd shift from high gear all the way into 1st or 2nd to make the car go "wheeeeee" with the music.

[rick3000]

I think some of you guys are being a bit stereotypical. While most teens would probably go nuts if they drove a Porsche, there are a few that would respect what it is, and treat it perfectly. Although I think a defensive driving class would be appropriate as well.

And the concern over a fast performance far for a teen is unwarranted in my opinion. Teens can make stupid decisions liking pulling out in front of someone at a bad moment, but if you have the HP, you can speed up and avoid an accident. Having an agile and fast car is a great thing if you happen to make a mistake.
Just my opinion!

[sd_boxster]

I don't think that most teenagers (including me when I was a kid) realize how a reckless driving conviction or (god forbid) a serious accident can affect the future. The Boxster is a serious machine to put in the hands of a teenager. It's also an attention magnet for other kids who will all want to race "that kid with the Porsche."

My first car was a Mazda B2000 pickup, which accelerated too slowly for me to successfully kill myself and was too underpowered to break the rear wheels loose. The Boxster, on the other hand, can be a dicey car for a skilled driver when thrown into a corner under throttle...

IMO, a 4-cylinder FWD econoimport is a much better choice than a RWD sports car for a newer driver. I've been licensed for 23 years and am fully aware that my Boxster is more capable than I am... when I was 16 I would have had no such understanding.

Consider it this way: Are there other temptations would you not present a young adult with? Even the most well-intentioned kid will make poor decisions from time to time - that's part of getting older. However, keeping the kid out of situations that may tempt him to make decisions that may have lasting consequences is your job as a parent.

You can always garage the Boxster for a few years. It would make a ********************in' graduation present from high school or college...

P.S. Rather than buying a new economy car, pick up a used Hyundai Elantra or Accent with a few years of warranty left. They're reliable, incredibly cheap, and safe.

[FTD]

Originally Posted by LoveBunny

I had a 944 when I was 16. I treated that car like gold, but I also bought it myself with a loan from my grandmother and had to work to pay it back so I knew the value of it. I also had to pay all the repairs, etc. I think it depends on the kid. Some would tear it up like my friend who used to have a BMW and ruined the transmission because he was listening to classical music on the highway and at a certain point in the music he'd shift from high gear all the way into 1st or 2nd to make the car go "wheeeeee" with the music.

Bwa ha! THAT is hilarious! What a nut [case].

[blue2000s]

Sad story on topic:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Columns/articleId=124526