I pose only one question to the 16 year old:

"At what age is the average driver the safest?"

Hint: It ain't 16.......or anywhere near 16. I wonder why.

You're gonna do what you're gonna do. No one will say anything that will change you're mind. But just don't expect a lot of really experienced drivers to say, "It's only 287 HP and it only goes 155 MPH, let him have it. What could possibly go wrong?" I can't justify this to your dad. Heck, I can't even justify mine to myself (and I'm 3 times your age and I practically paid cash for it and my insurance is probably 1/4 of what yours will be).

You're right about one thing though. If someone had offered me a sportscar when I was 16, instead of driving a 10-year-old beater to high school, I would have taken it. Sure. And I probably would have wrecked it the first year. The car that I did have, I ran as hard as it would go and pushed it to the limit - even right through traffic. Oh, yeah, I was invincible, mature, and had lightening quick reflexes, way above average - just like you. But 0 - 100 in a quarter or 287 HP and RWD can put you in deep doodoo real quick.

Don't kid yourself. You will be a much better driver later on. Ask any insurance company.

WayneTN

 

im 15 i WAS gonna get the Z ... but decided not to for safety and lack of experience ... if you're gonna get the Z PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE wait till you're at least 17 with a year of experience! PLEASE .... i dont wanna see you end up how i almost did, i dont care if you're a pro racer until you learn to react and dynamically control your reactions to different situations DO NOT DRIVE THE Z ... all thes ekids in here are AT LEAST 17 and after your first year of driving you will learn so much its not even funny, i asked my friends, for your own health and well being dont do it or unless you have been in a bad accident and know what you are risking.

 

I'm almost 17 and have had behind the wheel experience almost everyday, with my parents sitting next to me do you all think that helps alittle.

I LOVE this post it will make me think twice before i try to do anything stupid. thanks all

 

Mark, I really don't want to get into this, I realize that the people on this board have perfectly legitimate reasons for saying what you are saying. But you know what, I am not a reckless driver nor do I endanger the lives of other people on the road. In fact I am willing to say that I am a safer driver than some of the 20 year old guys I have seen driving around charlotte recklessly in Zs and countless other sports cars. Now this is what I am saying for myself and I realize that most 16s are not responsible drivers. I dislike the generalization that just because a driver is young they are irresponsible. We have less expierence yes, I grant you that, but I don't grant you that every 16 year old driver is a irresponsible, drunk driving, hooligan. Besides, a Z driven responsibly is a lot safer than a beater driven responsibly. Two years ago a girl at my school was killed on the way to school. She was hit head on by a woman driving an explorer talking on a cellphone that swirved over the line. She was drivng an 84 honda accord. I am willing to say that had she been driving a car with airbags or with recently designed crumple zones, etc, she would of had a better chance. Anywase I am not trying to argue with anyone. Its just food for thought.

 

Irresponsible, drunk-driving hooligan? Where did that come from?

As long as you're singling me out, let's look at what I actually have said in this thread:

I don't know, sounds like I'm giving him ample benefit of the doubt! If anything, you're being unfair in your judgment of me!

-- Mark

 

after reading some more from the topic, i have to say at least 1 year of experience is needed! when i first started driving i had a 1999 toyota tacoma 2wd. it was a pos, but was not that bad for a first car. i peeled out some in the rain and drove hard and almost hit a tree when i spun. just make sure you dont do anything idiotic like that. now i know how to control slides like that and i dont act the fool in rain anymore....

 

No what i am saying is that I have had almost a year of behind the wheel experience with my parents sitting next to me and there have been some nasty experiences isnt that gonna help me when i get Z?

 

just be prepared for the consenquences dont take this car to school or it will get vandalized, can you imagine taking this car and parking it there where a whole student body (16 year old punks) raised on mtv jackass episodes, its not gonna be pretty man. even if you dont have enemys your car will get vandalized so get ready for that, your nice brand nice z with a nice key job or written on with a maker or spary painted, antenna, wind shield wipers, flat tires, big *** door dings, car body kicked in ect ect ect **shrugs** why would you want a car you cant take out?

 

to be honest, parents with you in the car doesnt mean ****. once you get out behind the wheel without your parents, it is up to you how you are going to behave. i would never drive the way i do by myself with my parents, they'd take away my car and license because i speed almost everywhere i go. also, you wont want to have your parents with you, especially when you are driving a sports car. anyway, congratulations with the future z. im sure that you will take care of it and cherish it, just make sure you trial and not error to find out the limits of your car

 

thanks for the positive post some more positives would be nice

 

Nice to know you're looking for an unbiased reaction. There's a reason there aren't more positive posts.

-- Mark

 

Not in the least. The first time you turn off the VDC and end up driving out of the side window you are well on your way to raising my insurance rates.

 

Mark chill out, I'm not singling you out by any means. I use the term you as a collective phrase to refer to the majority of people who are on the "other side". Relax man, I could really care less about this thread, and in fact, seeing that I have already explained how these go no where I will once again say that I will try and refrain from posting on this thread.

 

Hey, if you don't mean it, don't type it, you know?

-- Mark

 

ANYWHO HOW IS EVERYONE OUT THERE

 

OK I GUESS WE CAN SAY GOODBYE TO THIS FORUM ITS GETTING OLD PEACE OUT

 

Because most of them not ready for level of responsibility that goes with sport car. A lot of them die or hurt other people because of that.

Never noticed how every driver of the car screaming trough neiborhood at top speed happens to be a teen?

If I were a father, I'd never buy high performance car for my kid. Let him get some experience firts, so he has a high chanse to survive.

 

Good lord give me a break!

Remember the muscle car days? When teenagers could purchase BIG power, BIG torque, No VDC, No TC.
This included crappy handling, crappy tires, all for a relativaly cheap price.......... and somehow they survived.


The 350z in comparison is so easy to drive fast.......well, there is no comparison.



Think about it. You can kill yourself (and others) in any car if you drive stupid.

 

first off, to 350zLord....

I'm one of the younger members on this board. I am 17 and have been driving for 1 and a half years. Respect the other members of this board that say AT LEAST ONE YEAR. It is definitely true, in my year and a half I have seen many things you probably have not. I have seen people get killed, friends fall off mountain roads while drifting, people on motorcylcles slide out. If you don't even have one year of experience, how do you expect to drive a 287 hp car that is RWD? It doesnt make sense. I'm also guessing that you drive a FF car right now, RWD handles waaaay different. I have driven both, right now I drive my mom's hand-me-down 1992 Toyota Camy V6 XLE. I also drive my friend's 95 Nissan 240sx. The difference in handling is tremendous. I'm not tryin to flame you or anything, I'm just saying get more experience. And having your parents in the car with you when you drive is nothing! Don't say that you would drive the same with or without them. Because when I drive with my parents I have to be extra cautious since their lives are in danger also, not just mine. As long as you drive reasonably safe [I'm not saying dont drive spirited at times] and take risks only when it is your life, then have fun. Go drifting if you would like, that is what I plan to get it for, but do most of it on the track, where it belongs. Remember that is a PRIVILEGE to drive not a right.

To the older members of this forum, I respect your opinions on if a younger teen should get such a high performance vehicle such as the Z. But you must take into consideration that there are many good teenage drivers. All I am asking is that you do not generalize just because there are more teen accidents. Those accidents make all the drivers [including myself] look bad and cause higher insurance rates. I have driven a couple of high performance cars, such as a 240sx with a SR20DET swapped engine and a 95 TT Supra. These were not my cars but my friends were willing enough to let me. I believe that one has to experience alot of different situations before he/she is able to drive such a car. I'm not saying that driving those type of cars qualifies me to drive a Z, I'm saying that I hope it will help me when I do drive it.

And yes, I do plan on getting a Z once I graduate from high school. It is going to be daddy-bought, but I will have to pay for my own insurance and gas, which will limit my fun, but I won't be complaining.

-Nick

 

350zLord,

I'm not exactly in the same boat as you, but I will be getting a car at your age. I've been trying to decide on a car myself. I will most likely be getting a sports car, not sure on a 350Z though. 2 seats = less distractions. Yes, I will be 16 1/2 when I get it, but I am paying everystep of the way, payments, insurance, gas, maintenance, etc, etc. I 100% agree with everyone that 16-18 year olds shouldn't get high performance cars. I don't want to get a beater or a rice burner, even though I'll learn on one. Funny thing is, 3 months ago I was all into the F&F thing, but now I'm out of that 'ricing' and 'street racing' phase, even though I've never owned a car. So I'm just looking for a car that's a blast to drive. Any recommendations? Where I live, imports are looked down on and are rare, and BMWs and Mercedes run rampant.

Just wanted to share my thoughts....