Daddy's girl's first car is a what...? Am I crazy?

[Ask10]

Alright, let the flaming begin.

So...suppose that you hear a dad is thinking about buying their 15 year old daughter (16 very soon), a Mustang. Worse off, a 2007 GT (300 hp, manual). I know I know I know :wtf: Seriously though, I've been giving this a lot of thought, over and over and over...believe me, it's tougher than I thought. Here's the reasoning though.

**Firstly, I'm planning on buying for "myself" as a "toy", and then letting her use it as her high school car. Then if she takes good care of it and is a good driver, I'll give it to her when she heads for college.

Anyway, the reasons I'm thinking it's a wise decision on my part...

One, I am forcing (yes forcing) her to learn stick shift. The Si probably needs a new clutch now since training has commenced, but it's okay. I strongly believe that manual drivers pay much more attention to the road and are much better drivers. So, if she has a manual transmission car, she'll be more alert.

Two, the Mustang has a huge ass nose and tail, which means a whole lot of crumple zone between her and whatever idiot plows into her (or who she hits...). Laws of physics, more stuff to shield you = better. Also, the GT is nearly 4,000 lbs, and heavier is better.

Three, while I pay for insurance (it's not too bad actually with a good student discount and me as the primary), she pays for gas whenever she wants to use it for going out. Hopefully it'll help her realize the value of money and what it takes to run a vehicle with it's 16-18 mpg fuel economy.

Four, the GT stangs' really seem to hold their value well. Even my Si (bone stock, 30k miles, adult driven, meticulously kept), is worth HALF what I paid 3 years ago for it. $13,000 down the drain...and that's a "valuable" car With $13,000 I can get a very nice 06-08 car and in 3 years it'll still probably be worth at least $10k.


But...

Now that does beg the question, can I trust a 16 year old girl with a 300 horsepower muscle car? Well, that's kind of what I am wanting to ask you "gear heads" about. So far everyone tells me I am the dumbest guy in the world for even thinking about it (except my wife, she agrees with my reasons, but she wants to give her my 4th gen T4R instead...(Nooooo!!!!).

In all fairness, my girl loves Mustangs and has done so for a long time. I'm thinking in my head, if I get one and let her drive it, she'll take care of it and be a better driver in the long run because she'll be careful not to crash "daddy's" car. She's also a good student, really observant about things around her, and a pretty bright girl if you ask me (although I'm heavily biased). I think she deserves a treat, and at the same time it's a great way to teach her how to be sensible about cars and money. Sensible with a Mustang...I know... But you know, when you like something and care about something (like how she likes Mustangs), then you tend to be "better" at it and take more interest in what you're doing, in this case, driving. If she likes driving, she'll be better at it, and if she's happy AND a better driver, then I can relax more easily at night.


Anyway, sorry, I've been pouring over this over and over to the point where my brain is quiet fried. Everyone thinks I'm crazy (probably true), but I figured I'd ask a group who does know a thing or two about vehicles. Maybe I might get more useful feedback than from the office ladies, lol.


Thanks in advance for any opinions.

-Ask10

 

[wnelax04sr5]

to be honest, id trust a 16 year old girl with a 300hp rwd mustang over a 16 year old boy. Between you and the manual, you can teach her to respect the power and manage it

 

[91'4bee]

I agree on the t4r though...that is a big no no. Nobody but me drives the t4r.

Mustang for a first car is a bit risky though for a teenager. Just cause I teach around them and see what goes on in the parking lot... we were all there.

On the other hand it would teach responsibility. The easy way or the hard way. In my opinion though I wouldn't choose a high power muscle car because of the money it takes to repair damage of any kind (there will be damage whether its her fault or not). I would choose a beater of some kind that is a manual but that is just me.

Good luck and don't turn gray to fast now...:rockon:

 

[KidVermicious]

I'm amazed that you're buying her a car at all. If you really want to teach her something, tell her to get a job and buy her own car. She'll respect that vehicle much more than the toy daddy buys her.

 

[02SE]

I think you should do whatever you feel is in you and your Daughters best interest.

I have no idea what the crash test ratings are on a 2007 Mustang, but if they are good, I think it's a fine plan.

As an example my Sister and Brother-in-law have put each of my two nieces and two nephews in what are essentially rolling tanks with big power, when they each turned 16. BMW X5M, 2 Supercharged Range Rovers, and a built Jeep with all kinds of armor, and an aftermarket Supercharger with other engine mods.

They've also sent all of their kids to an evasive driving school. The idea being that if someone tries to mess with them, they have the driving skill and power to likely get away.

I've asked my Sister if she thinks they might be spoiling them, but her rationale is that they can afford it, and those vehicles give their kids a safety advantage in an accident. The skills learned at the evasive driving school also helps them avoid an accident in the first place.

I will say this, each of my nieces and nephews take driving very seriously, and never use their phones while driving. A marked contrast to most young people I see driving.

 

[shootmymime]

I agree she might be capable of taking care of the mustang. Bit it's not her you have to worry about. Other students who park next to her. Door dings. Backing into her. Wind catches other persons car door and smacks you mustang.
I take incredible care of my vehicles and quite frequently I find new scratches. Dings and f ups on my body because of other people.
I just wanted to bring this side to your attention.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

You're missing the biggest question...

"What kind of boys is my daughter going to bring home with that 2007 Mustang GT?" (I mean come on, we were all teenagers; cute high school girl who drives a manual V8 Muscle Car? What would teenage you do?)

It might get tiring beating them all off with stick... be it off your daughter or the Mustang!

 

[BrianSD_42]

I'm amazed that you're buying her a car at all. If you really want to teach her something, tell her to get a job and buy her own car. She'll respect that vehicle much more than the toy daddy buys her.

+ 1 for the idea of not raising spoiled children

 

[CookieRoe]

While I agree driving a manual COULD make her a better driver (more alert), driving that manual of a GT probably isn't the best of ideas. Driving a Civic with a stick will have the same effect. Modern Civics have crumple zones and at least 4 airbags, so safety shouldn't be an issue. If you insist on buying her a car, arrange the following: If she wrecks it (or whatever), it's on her. This is where true responsibility sets in. Take yourself out of the equation. Period.

Hell, if it were me, I'll give (preferably not outright buying) her a used 4R (structurally superior to a 'stang............ simple physics). I'd want to protect my daughter (currently 2 years old), not see her drive around in (my) a high powered muscle car.

thought: my first car was a hand-me-down 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Sucker was huge (huge piece of crap). My parents wanted to "protect me" and not get into trouble. If I had a Mustang at 16, I probably would've killed myself. 16 year old girls driving a mustang? Yikes. Most of the women i knew then drove even crazier (bad drivers) than the guys I knew. BTW, at about 18, my father bought us a new 1993 Grand Cherokee. I had to drive myself and my siblings to school. We lived in the Poconos, so snow was an issue. Having said that; I took great care of my Jeep and never drove like an ass (unlike when I was 16...... in 2 years I calmed down thankfully). I was the exception. Point being: your daughter could be responsible and all, but you are still putting her at risk in the mustang. In a mid-sized SUV, not so much.

and yes, you are nuts to even consider this, but that is my opinion. Listen to your wife, give her the keys to the Runner. At the end of the day, it's just a stupid car. A stupid car that just might save her life. This is why I have mine (to protect myself and my family).

 

[02SE]

I'm amazed that you're buying her a car at all. If you really want to teach her something, tell her to get a job and buy her own car. She'll respect that vehicle much more than the toy daddy buys her.

That's how I grew up. My first vehicle and every one since, was bought by me with money I earned from working.

Some people see my nieces and nephews, and assume they are spoiled rotten, and have no concept of the value of a Dollar.

What those people don't see, is that they all had/have to maintain a high grade point average while taking advanced classes in School. They all also had/have to work in one of my Brother-in-laws Businesses. For my Nephews, that involves hard manual labor. Working for their Dad is no cake walk.

If they don't do those things, their cars are gone.

So while they do drive nice cars that they wouldn't be able to otherwise afford, they are not lazy slugs that will never have to work a day in their life.

I am proud that they are all hardworking young people, and will be valuable contributing members of society.

 

[TheArkMaster]

Here's another view. I'm 19 years old. Don't let her drive your mustang. Maybe you'll spend less, it has 4wd (if it snows where you live) and will still teach her the whole money thing (18-21 mpg). I just know if I was 16 and had power under my foot, I would drain it. Girls will be girls, as will boys be boys. They get distracted differently. I think the most logical thing to buy for her is a smaller SUV. Something well built and not plastic. I know 3 guys that have rolled their 3rd gens(mostly wheeling) and drive it away without a scratch. I think its a smart choice. You can still get her a manual transmission. And this way, it's hers. Hell, even introduce her to this site. Might make her appreciate it more.

 

[541joseph]

No. We have a customer that bought their daughter a "new"beetle turbo s she exploded to clutch in a week and killed the turbo in a month. If there is power there it will be used. By her boyfriend or her period.

 

[Ask10]

I agree on the t4r though...that is a big no no. Nobody but me drives the t4r.

Haha, wife thinks I'm crazy in not getting a stang for myself cause my T4R is a plain old 2WD with almost 200k, but I love that truck more than anything.

I wouldn't choose a high power muscle car because of the money it takes to repair damage of any kind (there will be damage whether its her fault or not). I would choose a beater of some kind that is a manual but that is just me.

I've thought about that too, something like an older Accord coupe or like a Monte Carlo, or even something like an 80's Caprice/Crown Vic, but I'd be lying in saying I kind of want to use the Mustang myself on occassion.

Good luck and don't turn gray to fast now...:rockon:

I'm a young guy still (literally, not in denial ). I was a little bit of partier when I was young so...

I'm amazed that you're buying her a car at all. If you really want to teach her something, tell her to get a job and buy her own car. She'll respect that vehicle much more than the toy daddy buys her.

I would have agreed when I was her age, but now that I'm "old", I've taken a different stance.

This car (although she thinks she's getting mom's old 02' Corolla) is actually part of our "agreement" of thinking ahead. Cause I had bad grades, I never made it through college (had to pay tuition and work a full time job). So I told her if she keeps up with really good grades, (allowing for scholarships) she'd save a lot of money in the long run (honestly, college these days!). It's a real situation, and if she sees the value in thinking ahead, she might turn out alright haha.

But yeah, my parents told me if I wanted a car that I'd have to buy it myself. I went and got a job, got a loan for a car, bought the car and spent all my money on it. Then I got bad grades. I wish they would have taught me how to plan ahead instead honestly, so that's why I'm doing what I'm doing.

I have no idea what the crash test ratings are on a 2007 Mustang, but if they are good, I think it's a fine plan.

5 star front, 4 star side...although the IIHS tests are less favorable. Still though, a 2 ton long nose Mustang with 4 star ratings I'd take any day over my short nose Si with a 5 star rating that weights 2700 lbs.

I agree she might be capable of taking care of the mustang. Bit it's not her you have to worry about. Other students who park next to her. Door dings. Backing into her. Wind catches other persons car door and smacks you mustang.
I take incredible care of my vehicles and quite frequently I find new scratches. Dings and f ups on my body because of other people.
I just wanted to bring this side to your attention.

I thought about that too, but I've gotten to the point where I've "given up" on door dings and such. That's why I have a cladded T4R as my daily driver, lol. But for any of my cars, I've learned that dents and dings are a part of life. There's inconsiderate fools everywhere, so if you get dinged, so be it.

You're missing the biggest question...

"What kind of boys is my daughter going to bring home with that 2007 Mustang GT?" (I mean come on, we were all teenagers; cute high school girl who drives a manual V8 Muscle Car? What would teenage you do?)

That's crossed my mind too, and my daughter (not to brag, but everyone does), is actually one of the prettier girls at school (a bit to my dismay actually. I was hoping she'd look more like me...)

Here's what I've always told her though. "I met (ex-girlfriend) when I had a Supra and your mother when I had a Spectrum (the piece of crap 80's Isuzu)." If she was a materialistic kind of girl, I'd not even consider getting her a nice car, but she's surprised me and seems to have her priorities pretty straight. Much more than I did when I was her age... Perfect? Of course not. If she does bring home trash though, her dad does have a reputation for kicking asses that need to be kicked so...

...Driving a Civic with a stick will have the same effect. Modern Civics have crumple zones and at least 4 airbags, so safety shouldn't be an issue...

Hell, if it were me, I'll give (preferably not outright buying) her a used 4R (structurally superior to a 'stang............ simple physics)...

thought: my first car was a hand-me-down 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham.

and yes, you are nuts to even consider this, but that is my opinion. Listen to your wife, give her the keys to the Runner. At the end of the day, it's just a stupid car. A stupid car that just might save her life. This is why I have mine (to protect myself and my family).

She's learning to drive in my Civic right now, and while I agree that it is a safe car for it's size (mine has 6 airbags I think), I myself don't feel that safe in it. It's too small, which is a reason I don't drive it much. So, I'd feel very guilty to give it to her. I do have a "two tone" (black liftgate, the rest is green) 3rd gen T4R beater (my dad's truck) with 280k that I offered to give her (joking) and she looked delighted. There was no "Eww, not that big ugly rust bucket." she thought it was cool to get "grandpa's old truck". That really got to me, I thought she'd scoff at the idea.

I'd give her the 4th gen, but that one is MINE! :lol: But seriously, I know I could afford to get her another 4th gen of her own, or a K5 Blazer, Hummer, F-350, whatever, but that soft spot does make me want to get her something I know she already likes. Might be my downfall though admittedly. I do agree as well, it sounds nuts, and it's not the first time I've been called crazy (as well as a bunch of other profanities on other occasions.). Thanks for the honest opinion.

What those people don't see, is that they all had/have to maintain a high grade point average while taking advanced classes in School. They all also had/have to work in one of my Brother-in-laws Businesses. For my Nephews, that involves hard manual labor. Working for their Dad is no cake walk.

If they don't do those things, their cars are gone.

So while they do drive nice cars that they wouldn't be able to otherwise afford, they are not lazy slugs that will never have to work a day in their life.

I am proud that they are all hardworking young people, and will be valuable contributing members of society.

That's the premise of this whole plan. She wont get the Mustang if she doesn't complete high school with good grades because it's mine anyway. And as mentioned, if she wasn't already doing a decent job of pulling her own weight this wouldn't be a consideration.

Then you have my son... Yeah, love him...I really wish he'd not be that Xbox all day. He did buy it with his own lawn mowing money though and keeps his GPA up, so...hwell:




Thanks all so far. I know it's "controversial" to think what I am, but I feel there are some on the same page as me. All I get at work is "get her a $500 car and let her crash it." I know the value of work (had to buy all my own cars too), but I've wasted so much time just working to pay bills. If I can give my girl a "headstart" so she doesn't have to worry about the basics and can concentrate on higher level stuff (like she's already been doing), then I'm happy.

 

[Ask10]

Here's another view. I'm 19 years old. Don't let her drive your mustang. Maybe you'll spend less, it has 4wd (if it snows where you live) and will still teach her the whole money thing (18-21 mpg). I just know if I was 16 and had power under my foot, I would drain it. Girls will be girls, as will boys be boys. They get distracted differently. I think the most logical thing to buy for her is a smaller SUV. Something well built and not plastic. I know 3 guys that have rolled their 3rd gens(mostly wheeling) and drive it away without a scratch. I think its a smart choice. You can still get her a manual transmission. And this way, it's hers. Hell, even introduce her to this site. Might make her appreciate it more.

Doesn't snow here, and I appreciate the input. I have a 3rd gen as well that she likes (it's my dad's old T4R he bought new), and it has a new timing belt and rebuild heads. She knows timing belts are expensive (from her dad), so that's one reason she was more than happy to "take over" the old truck.

I agree also, it's a rock. This particular runner been rear ended twice and side swiped once. Still holding up like a champ. It's auto though, but I might consider it at first.

No. We have a customer that bought their daughter a "new"beetle turbo s she exploded to clutch in a week and killed the turbo in a month. If there is power there it will be used. By her boyfriend or her period.

My first car (to many people's surprise) was a turbo Supra (3rd gen). I bought it with ALL the cash I had when I was 16, insured it and everything. I had it until I was 20, never blew a thing up on it, still had the original clutch when I sold it. 170k miles, god I miss it dearly.

I think part of me honestly sees myself in my girl. I may have been a party kid and in the skateboarding punk scene, but I never drove fast or abused my cars. I learned how to fix things from a young age and that taught me a lot about how to care for things. I've raised my girl much the same way, so if there is one teenage girl I'd consider treating to a muscle car, it's her.

Sorry, I've got such a soft spot for her obviously. Anyway, maybe I'll see how she takes care of the old T4R first and buy the Mustang for myself. I've been eyeing it ever since it went on sale and while I'm not actually a Mustang fan, this one is getting to me. lol. Dad's going back to being a punk kid himself...

 

[LittleCaesar]

Give her the 4th gen. I'd say such because.....

Buy the Mustang all for yourself. In my teenager years all the girls I dated the interiors were less than nice. And the only ones that were nice were detailed by someone else. It may get messy in there. Plus, if I were a teenage guy, and saw this girl with this nice Mustang I'd try like hell to get her to allow me to take it for a spin.

The Mustang's clutch isn't the easiest to play with. Buy her a Corolla or the like if she needs to learn how to drive a stick. The thing is fewer and fewer cars here are being made with sticks. Now if she plans to live in Europe, then maybe your plan has merit.

If you are looking for fiscal value now and for the future in a car, buy Italian. Otherwise learn to wrench on them yourself to offset the cost of having someone else do it. I'd be more inclined to teach her the basics of the 4runner and maintenance, where everything is located in the car such as jumper cables, and some odd tricks such as pouring hot water on a dead battery in winter to try and get it to start. Such would be invaluable to her now and for the future.

 

[shootmymime]

and my daughter (not to brag, but everyone does), is actually one of the prettier girls at school

hey ive got a brother in law... :wave:

 

[541joseph]

Doesn't snow here, and I appreciate the input. I have a 3rd gen as well that she likes (it's my dad's old T4R he bought new), and it has a new timing belt and rebuild heads. She knows timing belts are expensive (from her dad), so that's one reason she was more than happy to "take over" the old truck.

I agree also, it's a rock. This particular runner been rear ended twice and side swiped once. Still holding up like a champ. It's auto though, but I might consider it at first.




My first car (to many people's surprise) was a turbo Supra (3rd gen). I bought it with ALL the cash I had when I was 16, insured it and everything. I had it until I was 20, never blew a thing up on it, still had the original clutch when I sold it. 170k miles, god I miss it dearly.

I think part of me honestly sees myself in my girl. I may have been a party kid and in the skateboarding punk scene, but I never drove fast or abused my cars. I learned how to fix things from a young age and that taught me a lot about how to care for things. I've raised my girl much the same way, so if there is one teenage girl I'd consider treating to a muscle car, it's her.

Sorry, I've got such a soft spot for her obviously. Anyway, maybe I'll see how she takes care of the old T4R first and buy the Mustang for myself. I've been eyeing it ever since it went on sale and while I'm not actually a Mustang fan, this one is getting to me. lol. Dad's going back to being a punk kid himself...

You treated it well because you bought it. I under stand. But buy it for yourself and let her use the 4r

 

[nevada]

I think a NEW car for ANY new driver is a colossal bad idea. experience only comes with time, she has very little.

I'm amazed that you're buying her a car at all. If you really want to teach her something, tell her to get a job and buy her own car. She'll respect that vehicle much more than the toy daddy buys her.

this. all of this.

I thought about that too, but I've gotten to the point where I've "given up" on door dings and such. That's why I have a cladded T4R as my daily driver, lol. But for any of my cars, I've learned that dents and dings are a part of life. There's inconsiderate fools everywhere, so if you get dinged, so be it.




She's learning to drive in my Civic right now, and while I agree that it is a safe car for it's size (mine has 6 airbags I think), I myself don't feel that safe in it. It's too small, which is a reason I don't drive it much. So, I'd feel very guilty to give it to her. I do have a "two tone" (black liftgate, the rest is green) 3rd gen T4R beater (my dad's truck) with 280k that I offered to give her (joking) and she looked delighted. There was no "Eww, not that big ugly rust bucket." she thought it was cool to get "grandpa's old truck". That really got to me, I thought she'd scoff at the idea.

you mentioned resale value, but then aren't concerned with "door dings"?

that car will be very expensive to repair, even the small dents/dings they collect over the years. resale will be out the window if its not kept in good condition.



buy the mustang for you, because lets face it, it IS for you. you are trying use this other reason to justify it. buy it for yourself, and give her grandpa's old 4runner.

it being an auto wont matter, if you have taught her how to drive the manual civic.

 

[mountain mike]

So I'm not a cute girl, but my parents bought me a red Mustang 5.0 Convertible when I was 16. This was in 1992 and the Mustang was a 1991. :naughty: I was so excited and my popularity status sky rocketed as soon as I pulled up to high school in it. However, within 6 months I had ran all the tires bald, cooked the breaks, burned the driver's seat with a road flair (don't ask), and blew by my dad doing about 100 on the highway one day. Needless to say after 6 months I found my beloved Mustang sold and my butt was in an Escort, '89 beige on beige :sad:. My popularity level soon sank back to properly reflect my nerdy, awkward personality.

Being 37 now, with a daughter of my own, I say the choice is obvious. Give her the Corolla and buy the wife a Mustang. :thumb:

 

[A.Wilson013]

If you have the financial means, and she's a good student with a good sense of morals, why not treat her to something nice?

It's your choice, Ask10. No one here knows your daughter or your financial situation. Being her father, I imagine you're capable of making the best choice.

And let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's a 2008 Mustang. He's not asking if he should buy her a McLaren P12.