914 as kids first car? :(, nervous about this one. Options

[Brian Mifsud]

Hi All,

Hypocrite that I am, I'm nervous about my kids desire to own a 914 as his first car. I bought and drove one as a "Step Up" from my hot-rodded '69 Beetle when I was 19. I just feel though that there are a hell of a lot more people on the road driving earth-moving Suburban/lifted 4x4s etc than when I was young (early 80's) and that the likelihood of getting run over/punted in a 914 these days is much higher.

Now, this has no basis on fact, just my hunch, and probably my protective instinct so...

Do you think that a 914 with these mods might be enough to ease my fears?

- Fully caged including door bars to slow down side impact incursions

- Safety harness?

- Added bright LED Brake Light bars

- Fuel Cell to minimize the gasoline-in-the lap fun of VW's and Porsches

- automatic Fire supression system

- Use a '75 or '76 model year for the honking big 5MPH bumper added safety margin

- Better than stock tires and brakes

- Driving school - (Learn to handle the car on wet curvy roads, no ABS, etc)


Okay, clearly I'm a paranoid guy... I really would have preferred that my son drive something forgiving in a crash like a mid/late -90's Mustang

Opinions?

Thanks

Brian

[gandalf_025]

I've seen this discussion more than a few times here in the past.

I think 99% of the answer has to do with the kid getting the car.

I bought my 6 in 1973, when I was 18.
Not my first car..
It came after a few MGB's and a Ford or 2. I was after a 750 Honda
and my parents were more than happy to see me buy ANY car instead.

My father knew the owner of the Local VW Porsche Dealership and
even he told my dad he wouldn't put his 18 year old son in a 914-6.
My dad answered that he would sign the loan for me,
but not my brother.
I still have the car.... Guess my dad knew me well enough....