Let your kids drive?

illzoni

illzoni

New member
Maybe my concern is limited to the older T4Rs, but what the heck...

Do you or would you allow your kids to drive your 4Runner?

I'm thinking I'll be ready for my next project in a few years (about the time my daughter turns 16) and have considered letting her have my T4R. However, I'm pretty sure that's a bad idea, as it's not extremely stable at freeway speeds. Older 4x4s are known for tipping, and I'm thinking it would be bad to put my daughter in control of such a vehicle.

What do you think?

Thx,
Jon
 
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illzoni said:
Maybe my concern is limited to the older T4Rs, but what the heck...

Do you or would you allow your kids to drive your 4Runner?

I'm thinking I'll be ready for my next project in a few years (about the time my daughter turns 16) and have considered letting her have my T4R. However, I'm pretty sure that's a bad idea, as it's not extremely stable at freeway speeds. Older 4x4s are known for tipping, and I'm thinking it would be bad to put my daughter in control of such a vehicle.

What do you think?

Thx,
Jon
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Seems like you already made up your mind, but when i was 16 i learned to drive stick on a 1995 Land Rover Defender, no ABS, no airbags, no traction control, And i learned to drive on an 04 Land Rover Discovery, And i now have a 97 4Runner and all 3 cars are still on 4 wheels. If you don't feel you daughter is that good a driver than don't give it too her, It's very easy to drive an SUV without rolling, but there were some girls in HS that i had no idea how the hell they got a lisence.

I personally don't see what the big deal is, like i am looking at buying a mid 70's Land Rover Series III and that was an old 4x4, and i'm 18.
 
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No vehicle is teen proof. It would probably do her more good to learn on an older, somewhat unstable vehicle vs. newer vehicle with all the safety nannies. Its important to teach her to respect a vehicle and all its limits and not to fear it. It does boil down to whether or not you think she is a good mature driver. Most importantly teach her to put down the cell phone when behind the wheel and speak up when riding passenger with others who are not driving safe.
 
My first car at 16 was an 87 4runner. It had speed wobbles at 65mph for a while and lifted. I felt it was a good car to learn on because I couldn't go fast, I had to learn how to control it around turns and in more unstable conditions. I would rather give my daughter an 87 4runner than a 08 BMW. It would keep them at a reasonable speed, but I would worry about it breaking down. Mine did many times, but I had AAA. Then again I am a guy and I would be a little concerned about her breaking down somewhere remote. I just hope in 15 years there are some 1st gens around.
 
My first car was my dad's '73 Bronco and I loved it. I think the most important thing to teach is the not only being a safe driver but the possible severe consequences of not driving responsibly.
 
Well I am in the same boat my oldest is 13 and she will definitely be driving my 98. The way I figure its all about "knowing" your kid. Of course they always act different when they are not being supervised. All of the other vehicles around here are higher bumper height SUV's. So I figure it would be better for her to drive a vehicle that is at least on the same level than some lowered little car. Plus I plan on adding some armor not really for off roading but more for protection. Then if it survives her stint her sister and brother who are all 3yrs apart will run through it. After 9yrs of kid duty I will rebuild and see what I can do to the old truck. Hey its a Toyota it should run for ever just have to keep the metal straight right?
 
It seems like most people nowadays buy or give their children cars when they turn 16. What happened to making your kids get an afterschool job or work around the house to make their own money to buy their own 1st car? That's how it was in my famlily and there's no doubt in my mind, it made me appreciate my 1st car (and every car after that) a lot more.

A lot of people match whatever money their kid has made also so they can get a little nicer ride, but having them work and pay for at least some if not all of their 1st car teaches them a type of responsibility that they will probably never learn otherwise. Teenagers will always value things more and take care of them better when they have to work a little to get it. Just my $.02.
 
brian2sun said:
It seems like most people nowadays buy or give their children cars when they turn 16. What happened to making your kids get an afterschool job or work around the house to make their own money to buy their own 1st car? That's how it was in my famlily and there's no doubt in my mind, it made me appreciate my 1st car (and every car after that) a lot more.

A lot of people match whatever money their kid has made also so they can get a little nicer ride, but having them work and pay for at least some if not all of their 1st car teaches them a type of responsibility that they will probably never learn otherwise. Teenagers will always value things more and take care of them better when they have to work a little to get it. Just my $.02.
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I agree with some of that, but kids in today's world are much more busy than before. I don't think I would make my child get a job until they were late 17 or 18. I think having a job after school would take away from their studying, which in my opinion is the most important thing they need to focus on.

Also if a child doesn't have a car how are they going to get to work? That would put even more responsibility on the parents plate.

Even though my parents bought my car for me that doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. I think in a way they are showing how much they care for me.
 
wrecks are bound to happen. Just make sure it's a vehicle that will be okay to be wrecked or totaled. And also, make sure she will be safe if it does get into a wreck.
 
brian2sun said:
It seems like most people nowadays buy or give their children cars when they turn 16. What happened to making your kids get an afterschool job or work around the house to make their own money to buy their own 1st car? That's how it was in my famlily and there's no doubt in my mind, it made me appreciate my 1st car (and every car after that) a lot more.

A lot of people match whatever money their kid has made also so they can get a little nicer ride, but having them work and pay for at least some if not all of their 1st car teaches them a type of responsibility that they will probably never learn otherwise. Teenagers will always value things more and take care of them better when they have to work a little to get it. Just my $.02.
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I agree with working hard and earning what you get, but I know when I was in high school I played sports year round. Football took up most of the summer and all of the fall, then I had 3 months off till track. I wouldn't get home till 6 everyday and one day of the weekend was taken up by either a game or track meet. Just wouldn't be plausible to get a job, do sports, and keep my grades up. Plus my parents did not want to have to drive me all over the place for my games.
Now if your kid is coming home and playing World of Warcraft for 5 hours straight, then they can get a job. I like the idea of matching the money they've earned. Ultimately though if my daughter is getting good grades and isn't screwing up in or outside of school. I would have no problem getting her a car when the time comes.
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
I agree with some of that, but kids in today's world are much more busy than before. I don't think I would make my child get a job until they were late 17 or 18. I think having a job after school would take away from their studying, which in my opinion is the most important thing they need to focus on.

Also if a child doesn't have a car how are they going to get to work? That would put even more responsibility on the parents plate.

Even though my parents bought my car for me that doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. I think in a way they are showing how much they care for me.
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Yeah, I wasn't implying that all kids won't appreciate a car unless they buy it themselves, but I think it's true for most kids. Obviously the parents have to decide what to do on an individual basis. Like if your daughter gets straight As, maybe an afterschool job wouldn't be as good for her as making sure she has time to study. And maybe giving her a car when she turns 16 would be more appropriate. But I do think that the car should be given to her with an explaination that she got it because she has done so well in school. Then at least she still gets the idea that she had to work for it - whether it be a job or working hard in school. And maybe even tell her that if her grades start to slip now that she is driving and having more fun, then she looses the keys until her grades get better.

On the other hand, if your teenager is like my brother who cared for nothing in school but baseball, his grades were crappy anyways so getting a job while he was in school was better for him than sitting around watching TV since my parents knew he wouldn't do his homework anyways. I was the type of kid that got great grades and didn't have to work hard at it so I was able to work after school and on the weekends an still get enough school work done to get As and Bs. It really depends on the kid. I just get sick and tired of seeing Orange County type kids that have never even loaded a dishwasher much less wash a dish by hand and they get to drive a 3 year old BMW that Daddy bought for them becuase they are so cuuuute! :)

You guys know what I mean (and this has nothing to do with the OP or his daughter), but there's a line to draw somewhere to make your kids appreciate what they have.
 
I worked mowing yards on the weekends and during the summer before i could drive. Made enough to buy my dad's truck off him when i turned 16. My parents had to drive me around or i walked to wherever the yard work was. It really has made me appreciate my vehicles more. However, if someone wants to buy their kid a brand new car when they turn 16, it doesn't change anything for me. I think being a parent changes your mindset on these kinds of questions.
 
brian2sun said:
Yeah, I wasn't implying that all kids won't appreciate a car unless they buy it themselves, but I think it's true for most kids. Obviously the parents have to decide what to do on an individual basis. Like if your daughter gets straight As, maybe an afterschool job wouldn't be as good for her as making sure she has time to study. And maybe giving her a car when she turns 16 would be more appropriate. But I do think that the car should be given to her with an explaination that she got it because she has done so well in school. Then at least she still gets the idea that she had to work for it - whether it be a job or working hard in school. And maybe even tell her that if her grades start to slip now that she is driving and having more fun, then she looses the keys until her grades get better.

On the other hand, if your teenager is like my brother who cared for nothing in school but baseball, his grades were crappy anyways so getting a job while he was in school was better for him than sitting around watching TV since my parents knew he wouldn't do his homework anyways. I was the type of kid that got great grades and didn't have to work hard at it so I was able to work after school and on the weekends an still get enough school work done to get As and Bs. It really depends on the kid. I just get sick and tired of seeing Orange County type kids that have never even loaded a dishwasher much less wash a dish by hand and they get to drive a 3 year old BMW that Daddy bought for them becuase they are so cuuuute! :)

You guys know what I mean (and this has nothing to do with the OP or his daughter), but there's a line to draw somewhere to make your kids appreciate what they have.
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I agree with that. I can't stand those kids who basically get everything handed to them and don't appreciate it.
 
I'm currently 19, but when I got my license, my 4runner is what taught me to be a good driver. since it's an 85, it has no electronic safety features that all the new cars have. I learned how hard to hit the breaks before they lock up, how to drive a manual, how to parallel park w/o sensors, and be a good driver without any of the electronic aides. It may be rough to ride in, and may be a bit unstable in the freeway, but it is a vehicle that teaches you to drive.
 
Ok, no matter what car She has, she will still probably push it too its limits, i did and still do with all my vehicle, like i know where my 4runner and the Defender toppe out, and i know that i could take tha backroad corner at 50 in a high riding SUV, i am normally not stupid about it and this is how i get a better feel for how the car handles. Now clemson, i have to disagree with you, kids at 16 should have jobs unless there schedule is full, teens today arent more busy, and there is most certainly a different appreciation when you work you ass off to buy yor car, althoug i like defendr more than the 4runner, it was an empty feeling driving it and saying it was mine, i didnt earn it like i earned the 4runner.


BTW ive never loaded a dishwasher, i do more of the manual labor crap.
 
JohnsD90 said:
BTW ive never loaded a dishwasher, i do more of the manual labor crap.
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Haha, a buddy of mine told me the other day that he needs to buy a new dishwasher because the 2 he has now don't work. I was like, "Huh? You have 2 dishwashers and neither work?" He said, "Yes, Danielle and Tory" (his 2 daughters).
 
Very good points made by all. My oldest is 13 so my plan has always been to let him drive my 4runner as it will be the oldest vehicle in our household by then. I figured in another 3 years it will be 6 years old and paid for so I won’t worry much if it gets dented or dinged. I never really gave the safety aspect a thought till now…however, like JohnsD90 said, no mater what car your kid drives they are going to push it.

For me the safety of the 4runner is not my main concern, instead it’s the number of passengers that will fit. I think the biggest problem for younger drivers is having too many passengers causing distractions. My first, working, car was a stick shift Mazda B2200 pickup. Looking back it’s the perfect type of vehicle for a new driver. It was a 4 banger so it was not very fast. It was good on gas, although in those days gas was around .98 cents a gallon…boy how I miss those days. But best of all you can really only get 2 people in there so you limit the number of distractions and peer pressure.

I guess it really boils down to knowing your daughters abilities and tendencies as well as teaching her how to drive. As parents we can’t rely on the drivers ed classes alone to teach our kids, we need to give up control and move over to the passenger seat and let them gain some experience. Only then will you know if your daughter can handle an suv or not.
 
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