MustangWorks.com : Ford Forums - View Single Post - Dilemma - my 16-year old

Mercury · 05-19-2002, 02:23 PM

While I dont have any kids, and probably wont in have any, I still have some suggestions and possibly insight.

I personally feel that a stock, let alone modified Sports car (5.0, LS-1, 4.6 GT's, Cobras) is a bad choice for someone who's just got his license. For several reasons.

Experience. Ability to deal with situations sprung on you in a split second where one delayed reaction or false move can mean serouis injury, money, and most importantly...Death. Any Vehicle can hydroplane, slide on ice, or have a blow out, but having 240+ RWHP with a limited slip, or locking diffrential and a driver with little expereince can cause some problems there alone.

AGE=Maturity. No offense to your son, we all make mistakes, Trial and error is the best teacher, but I know I was not mature enough to handle a powerfull car. And after I was almost killed in an accident when I was 16, I saw that I didnt need a powerfull car till I learned to handle what I have (Which at the time was a 64 1/2 coupe with a 170 Straight 6, still have it..In storage) No matter how much you tell a person something, no matter how many pictures you show them, or how many personal stories or experiences you tell them, Most will have to find out the hard way.

Maybe this experience for him was for the better. WOuldnt you rather of had him had this one bad racing experience (Was it his first race??), and learn from it, and possibly shy away from street racing, than have had him win...And get hooked, and get a little to secure with safety?

Possibly the damage to the car, the ticket, the possible loss of his license will be enough to show him this is serouis. And that he could of been serouisly hurt, or hurt someone else.

I share a similar opinion with MR 5.0 when it comes to what to do with the car. Make it a Strip car, you all can still work on it, and he can learn about racing in a "Safe" enviornement. Possibly get him a 4cyl Stang, or a V6 stang, or a what ever you want to get him

05-19-2002, 02:23 PM	#4
Mercury The Redneck James Bond Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Fayetteville NC Posts: 1,707	While I dont have any kids, and probably wont in have any, I still have some suggestions and possibly insight. I personally feel that a stock, let alone modified Sports car (5.0, LS-1, 4.6 GT's, Cobras) is a bad choice for someone who's just got his license. For several reasons. Experience. Ability to deal with situations sprung on you in a split second where one delayed reaction or false move can mean serouis injury, money, and most importantly...Death. Any Vehicle can hydroplane, slide on ice, or have a blow out, but having 240+ RWHP with a limited slip, or locking diffrential and a driver with little expereince can cause some problems there alone. AGE=Maturity. No offense to your son, we all make mistakes, Trial and error is the best teacher, but I know I was not mature enough to handle a powerfull car. And after I was almost killed in an accident when I was 16, I saw that I didnt need a powerfull car till I learned to handle what I have (Which at the time was a 64 1/2 coupe with a 170 Straight 6, still have it..In storage) No matter how much you tell a person something, no matter how many pictures you show them, or how many personal stories or experiences you tell them, Most will have to find out the hard way. Maybe this experience for him was for the better. WOuldnt you rather of had him had this one bad racing experience (Was it his first race??), and learn from it, and possibly shy away from street racing, than have had him win...And get hooked, and get a little to secure with safety? Possibly the damage to the car, the ticket, the possible loss of his license will be enough to show him this is serouis. And that he could of been serouisly hurt, or hurt someone else. I share a similar opinion with MR 5.0 when it comes to what to do with the car. Make it a Strip car, you all can still work on it, and he can learn about racing in a "Safe" enviornement. Possibly get him a 4cyl Stang, or a V6 stang, or a what ever you want to get him __________________ 64 1/2 "D" code Red Mustang Coupe. Red Baron, 2000 Perf Red Mustang GT. 5spd. Stage 2 CNC heads with Large Valves, Comp Cams (270-274 dur .550 lift), Forged Crank, DRP pistons, Manly H-beams, Pro M 87 mm Mass Air, 24lb Inj, 75mm TB, Plenum Spacer ,Long Tube Headers, Homemade H-pipe, 2 chamber Flows, 4:10's, Steeda Tri-Ax, LKW 70/30's, Eibach Drag Springs, Steeda SubFrames, Battle Boxes, Rear Girdle, Adj uppers, Alunimum Drshft, Southside Lift Bars. Project Cars, 64 1/2 6cyl coupe, 1930 Model A Nostalgia Rod.