sc430 for my 16 year old daughter?
03-23-18, 08:04 AM
#16
Moderator
My 02 gets to 110 MPH without even trying 
with plenty room left to accelerate 
. I believe our points are, or at least those of us who believe it’s a bad idea to give a 16 year old this type of car, the temptations to do very risky behaviors, as well as peer pressure from others as pointed out by JohnnyCake and GmanSC above, outweigh any of the benefits.
I suppose you could use the car as a teaching tool since most of us learn more from our mistakes than our successes. Installing an OBDII device to the port AND monitoring the car’s activity and whereabouts may provide some parental oversite.
I still believe providing this car, as a first car, is a mistake but who am I to judge. While not knowing you or your daughter, generally speaking, teenagers from my training and experience, tend to take more risks, make poorer decisions, and seem to believe that they are indestructible. Why? I’ve seen many reasons but most often it’s inexperience, a misunderstanding of the fragility of the human body, and incomplete reasoning and cognitive development.
IMO a parent’s never ending duty IS TO GUIDE their child from infancy through adulthood. Sermon over. Thanks for you patience. Good luck with YOUR decision.
with plenty room left to accelerate . I believe our points are, or at least those of us who believe it’s a bad idea to give a 16 year old this type of car, the temptations to do very risky behaviors, as well as peer pressure from others as pointed out by JohnnyCake and GmanSC above, outweigh any of the benefits. I suppose you could use the car as a teaching tool since most of us learn more from our mistakes than our successes. Installing an OBDII device to the port AND monitoring the car’s activity and whereabouts may provide some parental oversite.
I still believe providing this car, as a first car, is a mistake but who am I to judge. While not knowing you or your daughter, generally speaking, teenagers from my training and experience, tend to take more risks, make poorer decisions, and seem to believe that they are indestructible. Why? I’ve seen many reasons but most often it’s inexperience, a misunderstanding of the fragility of the human body, and incomplete reasoning and cognitive development.
IMO a parent’s never ending duty IS TO GUIDE their child from infancy through adulthood. Sermon over. Thanks for you patience. Good luck with YOUR decision.
03-23-18, 08:41 AM
#17
My 02 gets to 110 MPH without even trying with plenty room left to accelerate . I believe our points are, or at least those of us who believe it’s a bad idea to give a 16 year old this type of car, the temptations to do very risky behaviors, as well as peer pressure from others as pointed out by JohnnyCake and GmanSC above, outweigh any of the benefits.
I suppose you could use the car as a teaching tool since most of us learn more from our mistakes than our successes. Installing an OBDII device to the port AND monitoring the car’s activity and whereabouts may provide some parental oversite.
I still believe providing this car, as a first car, is a mistake but who am I to judge. While not knowing you or your daughter, generally speaking, teenagers from my training and experience, tend to take more risks, make poorer decisions, and seem to believe that they are indestructible. Why? I’ve seen many reasons but most often it’s inexperience, a misunderstanding of the fragility of the human body, and incomplete reasoning and cognitive development.
IMO a parent’s never ending duty IS TO GUIDE their child from infancy through adulthood. Sermon over. Thanks for you patience. Good luck with YOUR decision.
with plenty room left to accelerate . I believe our points are, or at least those of us who believe it’s a bad idea to give a 16 year old this type of car, the temptations to do very risky behaviors, as well as peer pressure from others as pointed out by JohnnyCake and GmanSC above, outweigh any of the benefits.I suppose you could use the car as a teaching tool since most of us learn more from our mistakes than our successes. Installing an OBDII device to the port AND monitoring the car’s activity and whereabouts may provide some parental oversite.
I still believe providing this car, as a first car, is a mistake but who am I to judge. While not knowing you or your daughter, generally speaking, teenagers from my training and experience, tend to take more risks, make poorer decisions, and seem to believe that they are indestructible. Why? I’ve seen many reasons but most often it’s inexperience, a misunderstanding of the fragility of the human body, and incomplete reasoning and cognitive development.
IMO a parent’s never ending duty IS TO GUIDE their child from infancy through adulthood. Sermon over. Thanks for you patience. Good luck with YOUR decision.
Last edited by sixonemale; 03-23-18 at 09:37 AM.
03-23-18, 09:41 AM
#18
I am sure glad I didn't grow in with you guys. I started driving in 1968. My friends had Camaros and my dad had a Cutlass with a 330 cc inch and a 4 barrel Holly. It was basically a 442 with an automatic. And you think an SC is too much for a 16 year old. I would much rather my daughter (and I do have one) have been in an SC than most, if not all, the cars I grew up in. The SC is a very safe car and I would have no issue with my kid driving one. It would sure keep the number of passengers down and they would have to be creative as there is no back seat (to speak of) to climb into.
03-23-18, 02:45 PM
#20
Lexus Test Driver
03-24-18, 01:19 PM
#21
Lead Lap
I don't really have an opinion on this subject but don't think that the SC430 will limit the number of passengers, other than keeping below 5 or 6. I've carried 3 adult passengers in my car and they weren't small adults (not really large either). Just remember what you were like as a teenager when someone said lets go for a ride or let's go somewhere but only one of the group has a car. If nothing else, teenagers will cram in a car just because they can and for the adventure.
03-24-18, 03:06 PM
#22
Moderator
A convertible make absolutely terrible first cars for inexperienced young drivers. No one has a problem understanding how catastrophic it would be for the occupant(s) to accidentally roll an SC with its top down. Honestly the lack of real structural protection in a top down roll over event would not be much different with "hardtop" up. The SC top, being completely retractable, results in its having significantly less structural integrity than an actual hardtop. Adults owning convertibles typically understand there is more risk driving any convertible and many may be a little more careful as a result. I am not sure many 16 yo first car drivers given a convertible have the experience and the forethought to fully appreciate the additional risk and adjust their behavior accordingly.
btw - when I was 16-17 yo new driver I owned a very fast car and even faster motorcycle(s). Never crashed and killed myself, but I should have done so multiple times, only completely undeserved sheer luck allowed me to avoid injury in multiple serious mistakes/events that would have buried someone less lucky.
btw - when I was 16-17 yo new driver I owned a very fast car and even faster motorcycle(s). Never crashed and killed myself, but I should have done so multiple times, only completely undeserved sheer luck allowed me to avoid injury in multiple serious mistakes/events that would have buried someone less lucky.
Last edited by Jabberwock; 03-24-18 at 03:11 PM.
03-24-18, 05:44 PM
#23
Pole Position
Some statistic to keep in mind and consideration:
1. In first year of driving after having a license: 50% of teenagers will, either got a ticket or involved in car accident.
2. In US, every year, 6000 of teenagers died in car accident.
Think about it !
1. In first year of driving after having a license: 50% of teenagers will, either got a ticket or involved in car accident.
2. In US, every year, 6000 of teenagers died in car accident.
Think about it !
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2wPushkins (04-07-18)
03-24-18, 10:20 PM
#25
Buy her any small current reliable model and under warranty.
03-25-18, 12:26 AM
#26
Driver School Candidate
I've driven the SC430 many times and it's too much car for a 16 year old. The power is too tempting not to speed, especially with the pressure of her peers etc. Not to mention the distractions of the convertible aspect, namely the attention it will draw while driving. You want her focused on driving safe, given she's a new driver. If you really wanted to get her something on the more luxury side, I'd recommend the IS250/350 (V6)or the IS250/350C "If" you are set on a convertible. Again, the IS250 is plenty of car and the IS350 puts out around 300+ quick ponies. (Years 2006+). I unintentionally made quite a few mistakes when i got my license at 17, looking back my first car should have been a tank, aka Lincoln town car or any older American car. Good luck and let us know what you decide...
03-25-18, 05:15 AM
#27
Lexus Test Driver
here is a thought, how about a Toyota Camry Solara?
Girls/Ladies love this car!!!
ask any of them...and a low mileage version is very affordable.
they do have a V6, but it is certainly not a V8...plus the Toyota reliability.
here is a link to low mileage Solara’s nationwide!
they were made 1998-2008. The search is for 2005-2008 convertibles only...they make hardtops also.
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...sModified=true
03-25-18, 11:50 AM
#28
Sc’s have scary high speed handling and enough power to be dangerous. Bad combo.
safer to have great handling and less motor IMO.
safer to have great handling and less motor IMO.
03-25-18, 03:13 PM
#29
Dissenting opinion
Michaeltx - I may be about th only one who thinks this is a good idea if your daughter has a good head on her shoulders.
However, I do speak from experience....... I gave my daughter my 2002 SC430 when she turned 16. She is now 21 and finishing up her Junior year in college and still drives the car. She still loves it and considers it the best present ever. She liked being able to say to her friends “I can’t drive, my car is too small” as an good way to get out of driving. Additionally, its bulletproof reliability has been great for a student.
Your mileage may vary.
Michael
However, I do speak from experience....... I gave my daughter my 2002 SC430 when she turned 16. She is now 21 and finishing up her Junior year in college and still drives the car. She still loves it and considers it the best present ever. She liked being able to say to her friends “I can’t drive, my car is too small” as an good way to get out of driving. Additionally, its bulletproof reliability has been great for a student.
Your mileage may vary.
Michael
03-25-18, 03:33 PM
#30
Lead Lap
Michael, you make a good point. Most of us are looking at the situation from a guy's viewpoint and we as teenagers were highly likely much less careful and responsible than our female counterparts. Also, it will completely depend on the personality and character of the particular teenager. Some are old souls in their teens and some are just hormonal driven until their, uh, hmm, some don't grow out of it.
(I'm still staying neutral on this one.)
(I'm still staying neutral on this one.)