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18 yr old boy, should I let him drive it.
I am now facing the “should I let him drive it” struggle. My son is a wonderful, near 18 year old, senior in high school, good decision maker, who is beside himself about not being allowed to drive the Cobra.
I know how I would have felt it that car was in the garage when I was 18 . I have no fear of his mechanical ability to operate the pedals safely. But….I have tremendous angst thinking about the yahoo in a new Corvette or Porsche or Honda with a fart pipe, that pulls up and sees a teenager behind the wheel of that snarling, rumbling thing. I know I would not have been able to keep the testosterone floodgates closed. I certainly want him to enjoy the fruits of life, but I’m restrained by the “im your dad, not your friend” protectionist mentality. I kinda feel like he is being punished, for how I was as a young man and my though process now. Lets hear your thoughts thanks Jason |
Sure, let him drive it.
With you in the passenger seat! |
What is his experience level? What kinds of cars has he driven? Certainly if he's never driven a manual transmission car as a primary vehicle I would be reluctant to let him solo it. The high HP/high TQ combination of a Cobra is instant spin for an inexperienced driver. So, with you along for a while, sure why not. Solo? I'd think not.
Note also that the temptation to downshift into a turn is high, and without the ability to easily throttle blip (most brake and accelerator pedals are not aligned to make this easy) is an easy way to put it into oversteer. He needs to learn how to handle this platform. It's not the same as any other vehicle he will ever drive. |
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Hooked On Driving has a performance car training course for street cars on local race tracks. Would make a great father/son outing...
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Both my boys got 3-4 hour drives in the country as Christmas presents when they were 19-21 years old. One manged to do a complete 360 right in the downtown of an unnamed town leaving a BBQ joint. I reminded him what I had been telling him over and over, don't give it gas unless you are pointed straight ahead. They both enjoyed it alot.
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NO! Not until he has some experience behind the wheel of a normal passenger car OR after he successfully passes a course in driving a car of this type. After that, you need to ride with him!
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I don't know about your particular insurance policy, but mine does not allow anyone under age 26 to drive.
There's a reason for that. HTH, Will |
You already know the answer. My grandson is only 4 and I know the answer. First clue is I have never let my son-in-law (his father who is 34) drive my Cobra. Depends on the kid. When I was 16 I was driving my dad's '61 Impala with a 409...good times! At the time I was working every summer at a lumber mill on the "green chain" and worked after school at a gas station. I worked like a "man" and was treated by him as one. I did get some tickets but I paid them as well as my insurance and learned a valuable lesson. Looking back I know one thing, it's the girls you have to watch out for, not fast cars!
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If it's to remind him to only gas it in a straight line, take him to a drag strip. |
Not knowing his driving experience I would agree with others on this. You NEED to be in the Cobra with him. Preferrably in a huge empty parking lot until both of you are comfortable.
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No, better for both of you.
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I let my 18 yo son drive my GT40 without me in it. Never had a problem
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My insurance is good, no restrictions. And we are all on the same page as far as experience, Id never let him out alone until I was sure he was competent on the operation and control side. Funny, I have no problem putting him in my RS4 and it makes 420hp. But it sissy HP, its easy, all wheel drive, big brake blah blah. just doesn't charge the glands like the Cobra.
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I let my 24 year old drive and he asked if he could get on it a bit while rolling along at 8-10 mph. The car broke loose with both back wheels and started to spin. I barked out "EASY" and he let off at the right moment. It made me realize just how short coupled a Cobra is and that it could happen to anybody. I wouldnt let a teenager use my car alone. Just my 2 cents. A driving course for a sensible kid seems like a good idea
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Oh, that wasn't the question. The Cobra is a car. If he respects the pedal, uses the clutch, and doesn't hit the gas around turns, he will be fine. |
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