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

[Jgilliam914]

Opinions?

Get him a Honda beater with lots of airbags and let him drive that for a year or two.

In the meanwhile, build a 914 together with him. That way, he gets to know the car, you guys can bond over the work and he has a goal to look forward to.

Make it clear that he will only get the 914 if he does well with the beater car. If he screws up, no 914 ...

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

I agree with Andy. I have said this before. 914's are hard to see and no match with a SUV or lifted 4x4
Accidents happen even with the most cautious and responsible drivers.
You have a son turning 16 get him a safer and more reliable set of wheels and make the building of a 914 a common goal.