http://jalopnik.com/5485672/lucky-kid-gets...r-16th-birthday

I see both sides, and having gone to high school in South Florida's own version of 90210 (I only got to go there because we used my Grandparent's address), I do feel a little jealousy, and remember the kids having the Mustang 5.0's back when they were hot shit. (The really snooty ones had Mercedes & BMW's) Honestly don't recall many of them getting wrecked, but do recall lots of burnouts down by the football field and whatnot.

I, on the other hand, bought a 8 year old, 2.2 liter Dodge Charger hatchback with 13" wheels and hubcaps for $1100. 97 horsepower. But damnit, it was mine, bought and paid for myself. A/C broke 1 year into ownership, and I didn't have the money to fix it.. so I lived in South Florida with no A/C in the car for 2 more years. That car taught me how to fix cars and how to diagnose problems on the side of the road, mostly by trial and error.

I'll admit I still drive like a teenager sometimes, but the difference is now that I am fully aware of the consequences, and know what I'm doing,.. (kinda)

I think that's awesome. You know, not all 16 year olds are irresponsible. Maybe he really is a good kid. And you know, when you have something like that, it's a real incentive to do well in school, stay away from drugs, get a real job....I think it's a great idea.

Hopefully the dad takes him to track events and lets him get all his desire to go fast out on the track and teaches him some real car control.

When I was about 18, I had a Toyota MR2 Turbo, my dad had a 97 Camaro (the same car that I have now), and my brother had a Toyota Supra n/a. We did many track events together and had a real respect for our cars on the street. We never got tickets, or were reckless. Any car can get you killed, or kill someone else. It's the instruction/training/experience that teaches you respect and self control.

I'd rather give a kid a fast car and teach him to earn and respect it, than throw him the keys to a POS and think it's not going to get him into trouble.

That's just my opinion.

That is a sharp looking car!

Steve

This post has been edited by Steve91T: Mar 5 2010, 03:12 PM