2010 Camaro/16 year old son...help!

[skipj3]

Originally Posted by unix748

I haven't done much research, but I've heard of a GPS tracking device that will give you where he goes (on a map) and the speeds at which he travels. You would probably just have to hid the locater really well because if he found it he could just ditch it.

www.tiwi.com is one company you are refering to. I think it's a great system.

[Angrybird 12]

Just show him the facts on why you have changed your mind. mainly the cost of ownership, Insurance and such, Do like i did as a parent, have him be responsible to pay for all the cost of ownership ( tags, oil changes repairs for self inflicted damages, etc), or at least set ground rules that he has to meet before you will pay them. I'ts not just the price of the car you need to worry about but all the little things that go with it, along with worring about having a Camaro to begin with..

[MemphisRaines]

As far back as anyone can remember the rule in my family is your first car is a hand me down that is no newer then the year you were born...give or take a year or two depending on what's in the garage. I was born in the late 60's and my first car was a 1971 Cadillac, that I got in 1985. I didn't understand it at the time - why I got such a crappy car when my family could easily afford to buy me a new one. The other rule is you had to pay for any car after that, only one free ride...so you were pretty careful not to wreck the hand me down because if you did you were hoofing it or bumming a ride.

My son is getting close to getting his license and I now finally understand that your first car is as good a life lesson as there is. It's not as true these days but it's still a good learning experience to have an older car that needs a bit more attention...and it's not bad to wait for things you want but don't really need.

I cannot imagine buying a new Camaro (or any new car) as a first car for anyone but no matter what you do make sure he knows how to change a tire (or you have AAA if the LS doesn't have a spare like the SS), change the oil and otherwise know the basics of how the car actually works. I'm pretty shocked at how little some of the kids now about cars now.

A quick aside....it snowed here recently and got pretty slippery...an SUV slid down my driveway and got stuck in the snow... I went out to help and was surprised it was stuck because I could see that it said 4X4 on the side...turns out the guy who was driving didn't know how to lock the hubs on the truck...he was young, 16 or 17 and besides the fact his parents should not have let him out driving in those conditions they should have gone over how the vehicle works...especially how to lock the hubs of a 4X4 when it's snowing out...don't do that to your son...make sure he knows how the vehicle works.

Oh, and don't worry about the fact you told him he could have a Camaro...your duty as a parent isn't to keep your word but make some tough decisions about what's best for a 16 year old, they aren't capable of making those kinds of decisions on their own. If you feel this car isn't right for him now then don't buy it...based on the fact you posted that here I think you know the answer...

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by Milk 1027

Factory speed limiter is set at 145

You can also set a high speed warning. Which make a sound if you go over a certain speed. Of course he would figure out how to get rid of it.

The Camaro is over all a pretty safe car. But if you don't trust your kid to be safe and to be a good driver, then maybe you shouldn't be considering this car yet. Get him a cheap reliable car for now and wait until you are sure he will treat the car with respect and won't do anything stupid to hurt himself or others.

For the 6cyl, the speed limiter is set to far less (120mph, not sure...I have the SS which is 155).

Tough call. If he's responsible, the 6cyl might not be a bad vehicle, even with the power.

There might be devices out there that can monitor for a heavy foot and update a parent by e-mail. Maybe you can let him know that Onstar can get ahold of that info for you at any time, and you will be checking regularly.

[SSinthedesert]

There is no way i would let my 16 year old's first car be a brand new anything, much less a camaro. Nor would I let him have anything considered a sports car, especially boys. If you get him anything like that, regardless of how well you know him, he's gonna show off for all his friends and the girls. NOBODY understands horsepower or torque at that age so how can he respect it? I saw a couple posts about an S10 and a jeep. Alot of posts reffering to a graduation present. I would have to say get him something he can pay for and maintain himself...gas, insurance and maintenance on the vehicle. If he does what he needs to, then get him the car. Maybe even sooner than graduation. That way, he can learn about driving and maintaining a vehicle while you get piece of mind that he can take care of and handle a car with so much HP.

[tubzzz14]

I am 17 years old and a senior in HS and i was told that i would be able to get any car i wanted if i stayed home and went to the best school i applied to. I chose that option and i asked my parents if it was reasonable to get a 2010 1lt/rs they said i could but under certain circumstances. 1. any speeding ticket = loss of car 2. must keep grades up throughout end of High School. 3. Must stay in the same college to have car i switch they sell car. i drove my moms 2009 2.5 altima and it was quick enough but i got no violations and only had one scratch on it. They know that i respect th power of even that 3.6 llt engine and trust me with such a powerful car. i say u allow your child to get the car because if he has his heart set on it it will destroy him if he didnt get it. my mom said she heard it wasn't a safe car if u got in an accident and i said ok but it got to me and she noticed that she took a part of me. She was also conerned that it was RWD and i showed her stabillitrack and pointed out that BMW's which she loves are RWD. So i believe that you should get your sun the car but put restrictions on it and stick with them.

[Thrillz]

Originally Posted by concerned mama16

hi, my 16 year old son desperately wants a 2010 Camaro LS. It has been his dream for a few years. He was worked hard, gotten good grades and has earned the privilege. But then....we went on the test drive and the power and magnitude of speed/acceleration scared the daylights out of me. I cannot put him behind the wheel of such a forceful machine. He has no idea about horsepower and I'm certain lacks a healthy respect for such. Does anyone know about speed limiters available. Do they even exist? Is that even a possible solution to this dilemma. I've been told about Superchips, Predator, or Diablo to look into to determine if we can put a cap on the speeds, or in any way limited the acceleration and speed potential of the car..... I'm really out of my element here. Any words of wisdom would be very much appreciated.

Ive seen the good and the bad side of young people driving cars beyond there skills. In all honesty as a father of 3 kids handing the keys over to a 16 year old with a 300 hp car is like a crap shoot and i dont like gambling with my children. He might have good intentions but when he gets his buddies with him and they telling him to punch it you know its going to happen ive been there. I have the V6 camaro trust me even though its a V6 its not slow its quite a quick car for what it is. My father handed me the keys to a 1980 trans am when i was close to 18 (im almost 40 now) and can't tell you how many times i almost got seriously hurt many times i was just not mature enough. I loved it but i just wasnt ready. When i was in high school a grandfather bought his 16 year old grandson a 5.0 mustang. He only had it a few weeks and he wrapped it around a tree with 2 others with him. They all didnt make it Trust me you dont want to be in that guys shoes ever. My advice get him a boring safe car/truck to get him some seat time then look into a camaro a couple years down the road.

[jputer]

Originally Posted by concerned mama16

hi, my 16 year old son desperately wants a 2010 Camaro LS. It has been his dream for a few years. He was worked hard, gotten good grades and has earned the privilege. But then....we went on the test drive and the power and magnitude of speed/acceleration scared the daylights out of me. I cannot put him behind the wheel of such a forceful machine. He has no idea about horsepower and I'm certain lacks a healthy respect for such. Does anyone know about speed limiters available. Do they even exist? Is that even a possible solution to this dilemma. I've been told about Superchips, Predator, or Diablo to look into to determine if we can put a cap on the speeds, or in any way limited the acceleration and speed potential of the car..... I'm really out of my element here. Any words of wisdom would be very much appreciated.

There are some "nannies" in this car already. Traction control and Stabilitrak will keep him on the road and in control. I would rather have my children driving a "very capable" car with great brakes, air bags and OnStar than one with less. Speed is limited to 115 mph (the tire speed rating on the LS) in the cars computer. Even a beater Honda can go 115 mph.

Get him the LS with an automatic transmission. He will be so happy that the threat of losing the keys to his dream car will keep him in line.

Be firm about limits on riders, no racing, no tickets and no phone or texts while driving. Any deviation from the rules results in an automatic suspension of driving priviledges.

Make him pay for his own insurance and gas. The bill will be enough to let him learn about the responsibilities of owning and driving a nice car.

You say he has earned it. If that is true you have a fine youg man that deserves your trust and love.

[Milk 1027]

my bad. 115MPH.

I was in a hurry.

[Rocketright]

Originally Posted by unix748

I haven't done much research, but I've heard of a GPS tracking device that will give you where he goes (on a map) and the speeds at which he travels. You would probably just have to hid the locater really well because if he found it he could just ditch it.

If I EVER found my parents "Tracking" me, I would never talk to them again.

This is WAY to far for a new car, I would rather drive a pile of junk before being "Tracked". It would really ruin the OP's and kids relationship if he ever did this.
Just my opinion.

[Iroczlover]

Originally Posted by Rocketright

If I EVER found my parents "Tracking" me, I would never talk to them again.

This is WAY to far for a new car, I would rather drive a pile of junk before being "Tracked". It would really ruin the OP's and kids relationship if he ever did this.
Just my opinion.

maybe its because they love you & worry about your safely, I mean you still will be their baby or child until the day they die. & they still will worry about you.

[Rocketright]

Originally Posted by Iroczlover

maybe its because they love you & worry about your safely, I mean you still will be their baby or child until the day they die. & they still will worry about you.

Yea but wouldn't that be a little extreme? I mean if it was just speed, that's a little better. But a map... and exactly where their going. No privacy at all.

[2010 SSRS]

Originally Posted by concerned mama16

hi, my 16 year old son desperately wants a 2010 Camaro LS. It has been his dream for a few years. He was worked hard, gotten good grades and has earned the privilege. But then....we went on the test drive and the power and magnitude of speed/acceleration scared the daylights out of me. I cannot put him behind the wheel of such a forceful machine. He has no idea about horsepower and I'm certain lacks a healthy respect for such. Does anyone know about speed limiters available. Do they even exist? Is that even a possible solution to this dilemma. I've been told about Superchips, Predator, or Diablo to look into to determine if we can put a cap on the speeds, or in any way limited the acceleration and speed potential of the car..... I'm really out of my element here. Any words of wisdom would be very much appreciated.

Get him the 6cyl. automatic, I have had V8 Camaro's since I was 16 and never smashed up any of them, high speeds can be reached in any type of car.

[Iroczlover]

Originally Posted by Rocketright

Yea but wouldn't that be a little extreme? I mean if it was just speed, that's a little better. But a map... and exactly where their going. No privacy at all.

until you move out of their house, you dont tech have any privacy, its their house & most likely their car since you at least here in the US cant legally own a car until you are 18.

i keep reminding my kids of that.