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

[pcar916]

I'd go with a $2K - $10k beater for the first car. Both of my girls are really good drivers and both have had their (non-Porsche) cars beat to death parking in college parking lots and the associated haunts.

They aren't allowed to take my 3.6L 914 at any rate, although I did consider the '84 911 for one. They've been around our Porsche's their entire lives, but neither was interested in a Porsche at all. In fact one wanted a Mustang and the other a Hummer until she got wind of the gas mileage.

They've both driven the 914 and do well, but I think it scares them. Not because of anything that happened but what they think can happen if they're careless or inattentive. I'm good with that.

But they have both put in many hours helping me modify that 914 and I have the pix to prove it! Fine times those.

Good luck!