At 17, I had a '70 Chevelle SS 396 that would run 11.50's through mufflers. I had it 4 months before I threw a rod street racing a Vette.
[Funny side story-the Vette driver wanted me to pay for the fiberglass damage after my coolant all but melted his front end!
]
Anyway, fixed that one and sold it. Sold it to a 17 year old and I told him, "This car will kill you. The 4.56 rear end will break loose at 60 mph and you WILL lose it." A week later saw him doing a burn-out in a parking lot. The following week I heard he wrapped it around a telephone pole.
But you CAN learn,
The next car I got (at age 18) was a '70 442 convertible with a 455. 17 year old car with only 55,000 miles on it. The original owner asked what I was going to do with the car. I explained I was on the way to college and would take immaculate care of it. He actually kinda grilled me a bit on the history of 442's and when I explained I knew who Dr. Olds was, he sold it to me.
Had that car 7 great years and just put gas and
oil in it. Never raced it or got it over 110 mph. (In deserted West Texas, that's where you set your cruise control)
You definitely did the right thing. These things are race cars. Hell, I can't even predict this Cobra, little chance a teen could.