Teenager here. I don't given two @$!&s about phones. Growing up as a kid, we'd always hang out and go outside, but now that is replaced with texting and facebook. I don't want to open another can of worms, so I'll leave that here. Got my learner's permit the day I turned 15, picked up and learned manual, never went back.

My son got his 2002 Mustang at 15. License the day after he turned 16. It's a manual, tough to text and shift:D I told him he had to have a job though to drive it. He's been very good about paying his own maintenance. No tickets yet, I told him I wouldn't do anything if he got one though, the cost of the ticket AND the insurance cost would punish him enough;)

Oh, and he always has the latest smart phone which he pays for. I had more discretionary income when I was his age too.

I just asked my 20 year old daughter if she had to choose between her 2010 Mustang and her Droid phone which one would she keep... She said the Droid. Crazy.

Just to bring in another theory - this phenomenon may also have something to do with video games. With all the video games, along with texting and facebook, there is no longer a reason to go outside.

I only have a single test sample to report: I banned video games in my house. My daughter decided she wanted to learn to shift gears to have one of my older BMW's when she turned 16. Even an older BMW is a bit of a status symbol with high schoolers. Now she has graduated to taking my M3, beats a lot of guys in autocross, and is an instructor in the Street Survival School. Dad is very proud.

So, dump the video games.

We need more car geeks like her...

I'm back, but where have I been?? - YouTube

I can kind of confirm this, none of my friends own a car or have any interests in them. Even if they see a new porsche, ferrari or lambo on the street the just don't care. But they all buy new smartphones every year. The most common argument is "there is no need for a car in the city" or "i am just not interested in cars".

I am 20 now, was 19 when i bought my boxster, it cost's a lot of money and sometimes i have to cut down on other costs for gas, insurance and repairs but it's worth every penny!