Sigh...I need to get my 16 year old something to drive.

Stinsok · #1 12-08-2010, 01:45 PM

I found something totally impractical, I guess I want it for myself. It's a '75 Lincoln Towncar. The ultimate land yacht. It's a typical old lady car, in great shape. It's not a smart purchase...talk me out of it.

fenderhutz · #2 12-08-2010, 01:46 PM

Nothing safer on the road than an old steel car. However, in the snow it wouldn't go anywhere. If they want a different car make them work for it

MikeyFingers · #3 12-08-2010, 01:46 PM

GIVE IT TO ME!!! Haahahaha, I've always wanted a huge old Lincoln or Caddy, I freakin LOVE those things.
Give your kid a golf cart or something.

Stinsok · #4 12-08-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Nothing safer on the road than an old steel car. However, in the snow it wouldn't go anywhere. If they want a different car make them work for it

You got that right! I had to buy my first, and it was an ugly piece of crap (I loved that car!)

i_got_a_mohawk · #5 12-08-2010, 01:49 PM

BMW?

fenderhutz · #6 12-08-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinsok

You got that right! I had to buy my first, and it was an ugly piece of crap (I loved that car!)

Makes the kids appreciate it more if they had to save up minimum wage working some crap job to finally get a working vehicle.

Stinsok · #7 12-08-2010, 01:51 PM

I think I will ask to drive it this weekend. It's something I can work on!

i_got_a_mohawk · #8 12-08-2010, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Makes the kids appreciate it more if they had to save up minimum wage working some crap job to finally get a working vehicle.

That's what happened with my younger brother (I don't drive), and look what he ended up buying

I say it certainly depends on how much of a car nut your kid is!

Stinsok · #9 12-08-2010, 01:56 PM

The roar of a big ol' 460 might get him going...

lousybassplayer · #10 12-08-2010, 01:57 PM

Hooey on the snow thing. My first truck was a 2WD 76 Cheyenne with a 350 and street tires. Got over the Kancamagus HWY in an ice storm, and a couple Maine winters besides. Every kid should start out in a giant, impractical, difficult to drive and powerful vehicle. Might as well leap in with both feet to the driving world.

PSPookie · #11 12-08-2010, 02:02 PM

What's all this snow talk? Did you notice his location?

ThudThudThud · #12 12-08-2010, 02:05 PM

1. Safe. Big. Steel. Hard to break/easy to fix.
2. Ditto for engine. Big. Steel. Hard to break/easy to fix (and may give him some opportunities to get in there and learn something about mechanics. At least make him do his own oil changes)
3. Gas guzzler/may not enjoy lower octane fuel. For a 16 year old, that's huge. Filling a tank may cost him $60.
4. Relatively low insurance premiums (old, safe car).
5. Stylish. Not a granny car. It's a big ol' land yacht. Nothing is cooler than the 'movie star steering' that comes with the old power steering and big steering wheel.
6. You can fit an amp, cab, and a couple of basses on the back seat!!!

7. You could probably fit an Ampeg rig on the back seat!

8. Not expensive to buy.

WorkinOnIt · #13 12-08-2010, 02:07 PM

My grandparents had a 75 Town Car back in the day. They bought it new. I thought it was very cool and I was only around 15 at the time when they first got it. Shortly after getting my license Granddad let me drive him around. He would love to go for rides on the country roads. He had a stroke and could no longer drive himself, so he had no problem having his grandson cruise him around in that boat. That looong hood was so stretched out it seemed like it went on forever. Great highway cruiser.

Now, the downside was it got about 11 mpg. More like 9 mpg if you were doing 70+ on the highway. I believe his had a 460 in it if I remember correctly. Sorry, but you did ask to get talked out of it!

Joe Gress · #14 12-08-2010, 02:25 PM

Get him it. A big ****acular boat of a car is great for the begging driver. It's slow, its a lunk to drive, and there fore he's gonna have to drive it slow and learn his way up.

electracoyote · #15 12-08-2010, 02:27 PM

We found a 90s era Nissan Altima for our teens to drive. Not alot of coin, and very tough cars. Our 18-year-old just moved into a dorm, doesn't need a car any longer, and he passed it on to his younger brother.

warwick.hoy · #16 12-08-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

That's what happened with my younger brother (I don't drive), and look what he ended up buying

I say it certainly depends on how much of a car nut your kid is!

Talk about impractical. Those jags are sweet,...but they are fairweather cars. My dad talked me out of buying an MGB-GT as a first car. I'm glad he did.

lousybassplayer · #17 12-08-2010, 02:35 PM

Oh yeah, wicked bad gas mileage means he won't drive it as much. As we all know a bored 16 year old with a full tank of gas and a newly minted license is a recipe for disaster.

Jim Campbell · #18 12-08-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Nothing safer on the road than an old steel car. However, in the snow it wouldn't go anywhere. If they want a different car make them work for it

nah....we got snow and we got all kindsa cars that drive in it.....a little education on winter driving and the right tires is all.....besides,how many snow days do you get in alabama....

i_got_a_mohawk · #19 12-08-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Talk about impractical. Those jags are sweet,...but they are fairweather cars. My dad talked me out of buying an MGB-GT as a first car. I'm glad he did.

Dare say it's the difference between US and UK builds, we tend not to build tanks for road use

i_got_a_mohawk · #20 12-08-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

nah....we got snow and we got all kindsa cars that drive in it.....a little education on winter driving and the right tires is all.....besides,how many snow days do you get in alabama....

+1

However, as it's the time of year when we have snow over here, I have to say, it really does bring out the stupid in people