So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

[ezbtr]

Great car, lotsa parts avail., safe, reliable and not too fast. Son is responsible, BUT busy with sports and high school, gets good grades, supposed to get a temp PT job at his moms co. this summer, I'll pay for the car, but insurance and maint up to him, problem is (I know what you guys thinkin) he's not wild on working on cars although he has helped with all of mine over the years, he doesn't NEED a car as soon as he gets his permit, and he has to WANT to maintain it etc., not just drive it and expect someone else to work on it, I'm not a pushover dad at all, and perhaps making him wait til next year is just fine, hell I got my 1st 64 Chevy pickup w/ a blown tranny at 16 for $585 of my OWN dollars I saved and fixed it up in hi school auto shop (they dont have that or wood or metal shop here), he's a great kid and helps here maybe 2 days a week (I'm hurt from work stuck at home) here, but I want to see more "get up and go" from him concerning a car and further responsibility. Any thoughts would be great guys
P.S. Oh and I think last 2 rent payments made for daughter in college, grad in May, got hit by drunk last year, is ok, but cant do ALL types of work yet as her back etc still buggin her

 

[agallant80]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

He will love the freedom and Independence the car provides, at least I did at that age. If he has to wait for you to fix his car to get his independence back then he will take the initiative and start doing things to it himself. Im sure he will make the connection sooner or later. If he does something stupid and never changes the oil and blows the motor it will be a PITA for you but if you make him feel the pain he will make the connection that he has to do some things he does not want to do in order to be able to do things that he does like to do.

Oh now that he has your car he is not allowed to use yours (at least my dad had that rule). The only thing my father would do is to drive me to the auto parts store.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

The deal my kids get is that I buy the first car at 16 and they pay for insurance and gas. They can have any type of first car they want as long as it is a Jeep made on or around the year they were born. Typically I buy a fixer upper when they are 15 and I take care of any repairs as long as they help if I ask - mainly because I like working on cars that I don't have to drive to work

So far it has been a
1990 Comanche for the #1 son - long gone, he is 23 now and bought himself a much nicer car
1998 Grand Cherokee for the #2 son
1997 Wrangler I'm finishing up for my daughter who turns 16 in May

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

Thats a good choice for a car Heinz....big, pretty safe and modern enough that he probably won't have to work on it ....depending on how he drives it.
Based on your comments tho'...it seems he probably really isn't into it? Pushing him into hobby mechanics on his own at the starter age of 16 might be a bit tricky and a bit of an uphill battle, particularly if he doesn't need or want the transportation.
However I certainly get the impetus on your part to start getting him involved with future responsibilities that are definitely coming his (and every single other kids) way.
So, I would just let him assume all costs for the car and that will probably be enough for now. The best projects for this kind of learning approach are always joint father/son ones....so maybe you guys get together on what you guys might like to do to upgrade the car to personalize it?...maybe start with some nice wheels....and while you are at it....show him how to do the brakes and give it an oil change.
Go with the easy basic stuff to start with because if he has newer vehicles its not likely he (or anyone other than a mechanic with the right code readers) will be able to figure out and repair anything beyond the basics anyhow.
Great idea tho' all around!
BP

 

[bruceb58]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

That's the perfect car!

 

[64osby]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

The TBI Caprices would be the other side of the domestic coin, (LT1's require a little more maintenance). Great cars, easy to work on and lots of parts at the junk yard if needed.

Both cars have a great following on forums much like iboats. Not trying to start a brand battle.

I'm trying to talk the admiral into a similar program for our soon to be drivers.

 

[southkogs]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

My Grandpa' had one years ago (old square body types outta' the 90's), and my uncle asked me to help him move it around town one day. I'm in my 20's thinkin', "Well, I'll help. But I sure hope nobody sees me driving the 'retirement mobile.'" (It was too - right down to the benign yellow/beige color and the vinyl top.)

Settled into it, started it up and pulled onto the two lane that ran back into town - nobody else on the road. After a bit, I glanced down at the speedometer ... 90MPH!! The car was floating down the road - not drifting at all. Just easy going, smooth and comfortable at 90.

The light bulb went off, "Oh. THAT'S why the old guys drive these things."

Nice cars.

That said ...

My daily driver that I replaced a year ago (2000 Mercury Mountaineer) became the "kid car." It'll do until it's important enough for them to own one of their own ... which I hope they wait as long as they can.

 

[FlaCowboy]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

And a Big Back Seat...

 

[gm280]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

Perfect car for a teen...but only after he puts those 24" on with the spinners and of course the huge amps and so many speakers that there is virtually no room for passengers. Then he will have the prefect 'mobile... Just ask most any teen these days. I see those cars all over the place with colorful paint jobs that rival anything you could even imagine in your wildest dreams. And those exotic color schemes look like they were applied via a pine cone...

 

[kfa4303]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

That's a whole lotta car for the first time out, and keeping it full of gas ain't gonna be cheap or easy at +$3/gal. Maybe a little Honda, or something that has a bulletproof motor and gets 30 mpg. They're fast, fun, economical and can be customized as much as he wants. The Honda probably has lower insurance rates do to its smaller motor and greater safety record as well.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

I should have mentioned something you may want to think about. That Crown Vic is going to be the "go to" car when him and his buddies all want to go somewhere together just because they can get 6 to 8 bodies in it. When you have that many young guys together....

Not in CA for the first 12 months unless he has a parent/guardian with him.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

Thats a good choice for a car Heinz....big, pretty safe and modern enough that he probably won't have to work on it ....depending on how he drives it.
Based on your comments tho'...it seems he probably really isn't into it? Pushing him into hobby mechanics on his own at the starter age of 16 might be a bit tricky and a bit of an uphill battle, particularly if he doesn't need or want the transportation.
However I certainly get the impetus on your part to start getting him involved with future responsibilities that are definitely coming his (and every single other kids) way.
So, I would just let him assume all costs for the car and that will probably be enough for now. The best projects for this kind of learning approach are always joint father/son ones....so maybe you guys get together on what you guys might like to do to upgrade the car to personalize it?...maybe start with some nice wheels....and while you are at it....show him how to do the brakes and give it an oil change.
Go with the easy basic stuff to start with because if he has newer vehicles its not likely he (or anyone other than a mechanic with the right code readers) will be able to figure out and repair anything beyond the basics anyhow.
Great idea tho' all around!
BP

He's changed oil, belts, tires, alternators, etc and actually is pretty good at it, especially after he gets "into" the job at hand and is very proud of himself after, I was more curious at his age with cars though, but his sports etc keep him real busy. I may wait til Dec. when he does turn 16 though, or may buy car, drive it myself and see if it has any fixes to be done, have him help then he gets it later, yup he can pay insurance and gas. The Caprice series is also a good thought, same basic type and a bit more oomph with a 5.7 ugh 24's and spinners???? He'll pay for those too! LOL

 

[bruceb58]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

A car like that will probably be lower with insurance than a small car so a call to your insurance company is in order. Be prepared for sticker shock with a teen driver added to the policy.

 

[ezbtr]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

A car like that will probably be lower with insurance than a small car so a call to your insurance company is in order. Be prepared for sticker shock with a teen driver added to the policy.

I'll buy car, and with the check his mom gets every month from me, she can work out all other expenses!

 

[bruceb58]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

I'll buy car, and with the check his mom gets every month from me, she can work out all other expenses!

And you actually believe that huh?

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

He's changed oil, belts, tires, alternators, etc and actually is pretty good at it, especially after he gets "into" the job at hand and is very proud of himself after, I was more curious at his age with cars though, but his sports etc keep him real busy. I may wait til Dec. when he does turn 16 though, or may buy car, drive it myself and see if it has any fixes to be done, have him help then he gets it later, yup he can pay insurance and gas. The Caprice series is also a good thought, same basic type and a bit more oomph with a 5.7 ugh 24's and spinners???? He'll pay for those too! LOL

...yeah those 24's are a bit of an acquired taste...sort of like the 'donk' trend :facepalm::lol:
..... if that ends up being his style and his demographics choice.....it is what it is, so be it, best to just help out.
Regardless, those cars are great transportation and very inexpensive to pick up. The imports are great cars but they are usually a bit more coin to buy, unlike the big American iron.
Personally I think those big 4 door sedans are some of the very best value out there....so long as you aren't commuting too far LOL...on the other hand regarding gas mileage as a very distinct excessive cost of ownership argument.... is a bit overplayed and not quite the massive drain its made out to be.
As I said to a few of my automotive buddies...buying a new car (to the tune of $15-$25k) because it gets better mileage....is a lot like buying an $800,000 house because it has a more cost efficient furnace and a/c system and then thinking that you are saving money....LOL.

BP

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

My '07 Vic. has been a good car. I love the traction control on it - best TC I have ever had and this winter has been all ice. Mine's quite decent on fuel with the LX highway rear axle, and it takes the cheaper gas.
They aren't all that safe though statistically. In a T-bone, they actually fair quite poorly. Law enforcement unions have complained about that for a decade. Also, the handling on mine never felt right until I took the stock 16's off and put 18" Mustang GT wheels.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

As I said to a few of my automotive buddies...buying a new car (to the tune of $15-$25k) because it gets better mileage....is a lot like buying an $800,000 house because it has a more cost efficient furnace and a/c system and then thinking that you are saving money....LOL.

Very true. If you drive 12K a year and you have a 30MPG car and a 17MPG car, the difference is 300 gallons of fuel or $1200 @ $4/gallon.

Personally, I wouldn't be caught driving one but perfect for a kid.

 

[southkogs]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

Interesting, do the cops pull over every car they see with teens in it? Just curious if such laws are even remotely enforceable as it seems we see a lot of car accidents killing multiple teens in CA.

Fairly enforceable, at least in TN. We have a similar type of graduated system here. I doubt they always get pulled over, but they do at least sometimes.

 

[gm280]

Re: So used Crown Vic for son (15) this summer???? Thoughts?Responsibilities?

I do remember my first car that I bought while still a teenager in high school and living with my parents. It was a used 1966 Ford Galaxy 500 7 Liter two door. It had enough sporty style for me at that time, because I really couldn't afford a real sports car. I remember buying it and being proud to actually drive it off the car lot. I made it to the middle of the turn lane before it quit... We had to coax it home that day... However, I completely tore that car apart a little at a time and refurbished it back to its original new condition. People would say it looked like a mirror going down the street. It was dark metallic midnight blue with a black vinyl top... Sure wish I still had that car. A true collectors vehicle now... Of course it had a 352ci engine so the gas millage was near zero. But gas wasn't an issue back then either, you could fill up the tank for a couple dollars.