62 replies to this topic

[Scallywag630]

You must really hate your 17yr old kid to let them loose in something that quick.

Depends how sensible the 17 year old is. In the Us, my 16 year old daughter drives a Dodge Neon but also has access to a Ford Expedition (5.4 litre) and a Viper.

Surely that's a recipe for disaster dude!

Should have said she was 16, now 23 and never had a ticket or accident.

[E.L.M.O]

You must really hate your 17yr old kid to let them loose in something that quick.

Depends how sensible the 17 year old is. In the Us, my 16 year old daughter drives a Dodge Neon but also has access to a Ford Expedition (5.4 litre) and a Viper.

Surely that's a recipe for disaster dude!

Should have said she was 16, now 23 and never had a ticket or accident.

Good on her. theres always the odd enomily. But still, in my view people should have to pay their dues with a car they can handle first.
Well you know your daughter better than me, but any teen with that much power cant be good!

[mini_mad69]

I know people who have jumped in 5 series bms and x5s etc and binned them.



I also know people who have clios and ibizas etc and binned them.


The people I know who have had minis, old golfs and general very basic cars haven't stuffed them.
I think thats because your more involved with the driving and get a better feel of the way a car drives and handles. These have gone on to drive modern cars and not crashed them, and appear to have better car control. The people who have modern cars, with limited feel seem to have crashed them, or drive like utter lunatics taking scary risks because they feel invincible.




Either way, I bet it's nice driving that jag at 17 years old.

[Spud_133]

I race short oval, I know what some people may think, short oval is easy and only goes in circles, but, it's not easy when you have over 140bhp and only three quaters of a tonne to hold on the track. But I am only 17, and have been racing lightning rods for over a year and I feel that I can handle a car as well as many people with many more years experience so therefore I see something like that jag with all the gadgets on to 'help' you would be small fry. But hey, still looks fun to be slidding round a roundabout.

P.S. Sorry for seeming a bit arrogant

Edited by Spud_133, 27 January 2011 - 08:31 PM.

[M J W J]

I race short oval, I know what some people may think, short oval is easy and only goes in circles, but, it's not easy when you have over 140bhp and only three quaters of a tonne to hold on the track. But I am only 17, and have been racing lightning rods for over a year and I feel that I can handle a car as well as many people with many more years experience so therefore I see something like that jag with all the gadgets on to 'help' you would be small fry. But hey, still looks fun to be slidding round a roundabout.

P.S. Sorry for seeming a bit arrogant

First of all do you have a full driving licence? Driving on a race track is very different to driving on the roads. I could move a car around at the age of twelve however it still took me about 20 hours of tuition to pass my test. My driving instructor even said on my first lesson that I had good car control but that my spacial awareness skills were nowhere near up to scratch.
You very well me be able to handle a 140bhp+ car on the track but being able to control 140 bhp car and pay attention to everything on the roads may not be as easy.
If you think that sliding round a round about is fun, wait until you slide into and demolition that small inevitable Nissan Micra with a 3 month year old child in the back. You won't think it is so fun then. Also try sliding round a round about on your driving test (if you haven't taken it yet). I am sure they will be really impressed.

I calmed my driving down after a near miss in my first year of driving when I spun my mini. It was a real eye opener that I am not invincible or as good a driver as I thought. Taught me not to to try and go round every corner as fast as possible even in a mini. I was lucky.

I agree with what others have said in that there should be a restriction on engine size of a car for people who haven't had so many years experience.

My house mate Chris has friends in the USA. His friend Jack over there is loaded and has a Hummer (supposedly the one that is in camera shot for about 30 secs in the film never back down). Some of his friend's have been killed after they bought super cars/bikes and couldn't handle them.

And finally. In an RAC survey the majority of drivers when asked, 'how would you rate your driving skill' ticked the 'slightly above average' box, which if you think about it, is statistically impossible.

[Spud_133]

Yes I have passed my test and in my opinion I am lot more sensible on the roads, but I feel that I can control a car better than my peers.

[mini-geek]

Yes I have passed my test and in my opinion I am lot more sensible on the roads, but I feel that I can control a car better than my peers.

you probably can

the problem is the 17 YO that get in a saxo or what ever and think they can drive fast and they cant so imagine the people who get in a fast car and think they can drive fast it make a big bloody mess! if you get what I mean....

I drive a fast car (not a my mini that's always on bits!) but I don't drive it fast because I'm all grown up now! hehe

[Carlos W]

I was told when I was 17 that you learn to drive once you've passed your test, now i'm 29 I realise how true that is! As people have said, they limit the power of motorbikes for the first couple of years after you pass your test, they should do the same with cars! I remember a oad I went to school with crashing a pug 306 turbo diesel (quick fer for a 17 year old) people ended up in hospital! I thought insurance companies were refusing to insure young people on cars like that JAG these days!

[Mini Adam]

I was told when I was 17 that you learn to drive once you've passed your test, now i'm 29 I realise how true that is! As people have said, they limit the power of motorbikes for the first couple of years after you pass your test, they should do the same with cars! I remember a oad I went to school with crashing a pug 306 turbo diesel (quick fer for a 17 year old) people ended up in hospital! I thought insurance companies were refusing to insure young people on cars like that JAG these days!

It's on company insurance so anyone can drive it. I think it's true, young drivers shouldn't be allowed such cars, but it only goes as fast as you drive it. He's well aware if anything happens to this car he's never having a car off his dad again! I guess that whilst most 17yo are considered dangerous there are a few who are safe and don't drive like idiots, no matter what car you're in

[Carlos W]

I'm still surprised it's not anyone over 25! If he does crash I hope he and everyone else is alright and unharmed

[E.L.M.O]

I was told when I was 17 that you learn to drive once you've passed your test, now i'm 29 I realise how true that is! As people have said, they limit the power of motorbikes for the first couple of years after you pass your test, they should do the same with cars! I remember a oad I went to school with crashing a pug 306 turbo diesel (quick fer for a 17 year old) people ended up in hospital! I thought insurance companies were refusing to insure young people on cars like that JAG these days!

yeah its on his dads company insurance so its prob opened up for family use.

I remember thinking how good a driver I was when I was young. only now that I am a bit older, I feel a bit wiser. And I have covered in excess of 1000 miles every month for the last 5+ years and been driving for 13 years that I know I knew nothing back then. Most new drivers think they are good drivers. thats part of being a new driver, over estimating your skills.

Why would you be a good driver..... you have no experience!!

[Mini Adam]

Why would you be a good driver..... you have no experience!!

I'm sorry but I totally disagree with that. I am a new driver, and by no means do I consider myself to be the best, but I'm not a bad driver. I may not be as good as people with the experience, but that doesn't make me bad..

[1984mini25]

I know people who have jumped in 5 series bms and x5s etc and binned them.

I also know people who have clios and ibizas etc and binned them.

The people I know who have had minis, old golfs and general very basic cars haven't stuffed them.
I think thats because your more involved with the driving and get a better feel of the way a car drives and handles. These have gone on to drive modern cars and not crashed them, and appear to have better car control. The people who have modern cars, with limited feel seem to have crashed them, or drive like utter lunatics taking scary risks because they feel invincible.

Either way, I bet it's nice driving that jag at 17 years old.

There could also be another reason to that.

If you have had to go out and put your own money towards a car, the insurance, tax, mot and general upkeep. Even a basic car like a mini, then I’m pretty certain you’ll do your best not to stack it.

As apposed to being given a car for you birthday, driving lessons/test and insurance paid by dad and if you happen to stack it, daddy will go out and by a nice new shinny one to replace it.

[E.L.M.O]

Why would you be a good driver..... you have no experience!!

I'm sorry but I totally disagree with that. I am a new driver, and by no means do I consider myself to be the best, but I'm not a bad driver. I may not be as good as people with the experience, but that doesn't make me bad..

sorry I didnt word my self brilliantly, I am not saying people who are new drivers are BAD drivers, but you certainly wont be "good"
you may be classed as "good" considering your experience, or good compared to a driver who has been driving many years who is actually a bad driver. But compared to the skills you have now, and the skills that come with experience over the years you are not what I would call "good" (for want of a better word) Certainly not experienced enough attempt to be "in control" of a throttle of something powerful, no matter if it has 2 wheels 3, 4 or 6!

Part of being a new driver can be thinking your invisible, and gods gift to the road. Again its something that experience teaches you (sometimes all to harshly) that you are not.

I just want to add also, I dont mean to cause offence by this. dont get your panties in a bunch just because you might be young or an inexpedience driver. Its not a dig, or me having a go its just an observation that can only be made once you have been driving for a period of time.

I know people who have jumped in 5 series bms and x5s etc and binned them.

I also know people who have clios and ibizas etc and binned them.

The people I know who have had minis, old golfs and general very basic cars haven't stuffed them.
I think thats because your more involved with the driving and get a better feel of the way a car drives and handles. These have gone on to drive modern cars and not crashed them, and appear to have better car control. The people who have modern cars, with limited feel seem to have crashed them, or drive like utter lunatics taking scary risks because they feel invincible.

Either way, I bet it's nice driving that jag at 17 years old.

There could also be another reason to that.

If you have had to go out and put your own money towards a car, the insurance, tax, mot and general upkeep. Even a basic car like a mini, then I’m pretty certain you’ll do your best not to stack it.

As apposed to being given a car for you birthday, driving lessons/test and insurance paid by dad and if you happen to stack it, daddy will go out and by a nice new shinny one to replace it.

I tend to agree with that also, if its your blood and sweat that has gone into buying the vehicle you "tend" to treat it with more respect and be slightly more careful because you know how much time and effort goes into saving and paying for said vehicle. Its not always true though.

Edited by E.L.M.O, 27 January 2011 - 10:55 PM.

[mini-geek]

I'm a carefull driver I wourry that i don't look and pay attention to the road etc. I'm scared of crashing and i drive to fast.... if you get cocky driving thats when you have problems