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

[johnpierre]

here is the only thing i think is dangerous about a teen driving a teen. speed. everytime i drive my 14 (mostly when im not in a hurry, or in heavy traffic - i have the sonada for that) i want to drive it like a race car. i have to constantly monitor myself to drive like im on a lazy sunday not trying to be Fernando Alonso (my favorite F1 diver). for all the reason that all us members know, the 14 just loves the turns and there's nothing better that finding a nice smooth long on ramp and going threw the gears at 6000 rpm's feels and sounds so great am my 14 doesn't even have an aftermarket exhaust or any engine mods. so aside from everything you and the others have mentions that make driving a different proposition from say a Honda, or a Toyota highlander, or a mustang, to me the "feel like you gotta take the turn fast" is what i think is the most dangerous. switching ends or drifting into on coming traffic would have horrible consequences. that said if your son can focus on driving safely and as long as he is not driving so many miles a day, i think you should consider a trial and see how it goes...