[MOAB]

Originally Posted by ik999

It's really not. If you can't handle 300hp, then you shouldn't be driving at all.

that'a a pretty asinine statement. someone who just got their license is going to be experienced enough to handle a high performance sports car?

[dxb335d]

your all forgetting, it dont matter HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE got when they bury there child 6feet under, a 16 year old will most certainly kill themselves in anything over 200bhp let alone a 300-500bhp bmw

[ik999]

Originally Posted by MOAB

that'a a pretty asinine statement. someone who just got their license is going to be experienced enough to handle a high performance sports car?

The 1-series is not a high performance sports car, just to let you know. It's simply a performance oriented luxury car, just like the 3. Why would it be any harder to drive than a Civic or Corolla? In fact, it should be easier to drive (better handling, better brakes). Just because a car is potent, doesn't mean you drive in a different manner. A new driver compensates with extra caution, appropriate speed/acceleration, and defensive driving regardless of how much HP they have.

That's why I stand by my claim. If a driver can't handle a 335i, or 135i, they probably can't handle any car at all.

Originally Posted by dxb335d

your all forgetting, it dont matter HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE got when they bury there child 6feet under, a 16 year old will most certainly kill themselves in anything over 200bhp let alone a 300-500bhp bmw

200HP is deadly? This claim is extremely unreasonable. Today's Accords and Camry's have over 260HP... Plus, most performance cars are tame when driving normally.

Yes, statistically, new drivers are a more likely to get into accidents, but when they do, it's not because their cars are too powerful.

[MOAB]

Originally Posted by ik999

The 1-series is not a high performance sports car, just to let you know. It's simply a performance oriented luxury car, just like the 3. Why would it be any harder to drive than a Civic or Corolla? In fact, it should be easier to drive (better handling, better brakes). Just because a car is potent, doesn't mean you drive in a different manner. A new driver compensates with extra caution, appropriate speed/acceleration, and defensive driving regardless of how much HP they have.

That's why I stand by my claim. If a driver can't handle a 335i, or 135i, they probably can't handle any car at all.

Well, I couldn't disagree with you more. I remember when I was 16 and I thought I could do anything. When I started driving, I was not cautious. Rather, in my view, I was an expert driver and I could handle any situation. I almost killed myself several times and I can say the same thing about many other friends of mine, who are now all responsible adults. And I was driving a 1982 Honda Accord at the time, which couldn't have had more than 120hp. If I had a 300 hp/300 lbs of torque automobile when I was 16, whether you want to classify it as a luxury car or a sports car, I would have pushed that car and there is no way I would have been able to handle the power. Just curious, how old are you?

[halB]

I had a 265HP Firebird when I was 19 and I had only one speeding ticket for doing 50km/H in a 40 zone while owning that car. It is not the car, it is how responsible the driver behaves that matters.

[MOAB]

Originally Posted by halB

I had a 265HP Firebird when I was 19 and I had only one speeding ticket for doing 50km/H in a 40 zone while owning that car. It is not the car, it is how responsible the driver behaves that matters.

That's great for you, but 1) there is a difference between being 16 and being 19; and 2) you were probably the exception, rather than the norm

[DasBlitz]

Originally Posted by MOAB

That's great for you, but 1) there is a difference between being 16 and being 19; and 2) you were probably the exception, rather than the norm

I am sorry but 19 is the new 16 and vice-versa. Individuals are so stupid nowadays no matter what age.

[a.t]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

your all forgetting, it dont matter HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE got when they bury there child 6feet under, a 16 year old will most certainly kill themselves in anything over 200bhp let alone a 300-500bhp bmw

not necessarily...
if a kid decides to drive recklessly, it wouldnt matter if he is in a 500hp m5 or a 130hp civic

i can't count how many times i've seen riced out cavaliers and such weaving in and out on major roads and gunning it in heavy traffic, and i don't think they have less chances of killing themselves than some kid with a 300hp 335i.

It all comes down to how the kid drives.

Also, according to you, i should of been dead by now, since i was given a 255hp bmw at the age of 17. My parents gave me a 330i instead of a base Legacy that i asked for, and why? Because they trust me with it and they feel that it is the better car for me. Surely they can get me cars like the accord or camry and such, but wouldn't the better safety features in a slightly faster bmw be safer overall?

I know some people at my age in 130hp civics and corollas that drive far more dangerous than me, and am i more bound for an accident than them due to the power difference?
i don't think so.

[cto]

If a 16 year old kid is going to drive fast, like 180 or 200 km/h on highway etc. When they crash, maybe is better to be in a BMW than a Echo (I mean safety issue)

[TheAcAvenger]

Originally Posted by cto

If a 16 year old kid is going to drive fast, like 180 or 200 km/h on highway etc. When they crash, maybe is better to be in a BMW than a Echo (I mean safety issue)

Precisely, my cousin drives way more responsibly in his 06 S4 at 17 than I ever did in my prelude at 18. Granted, the S4 is far safer in "juvenile situations". The fact of the matter is, if you want to go fast, you're going to go fast. And having a honda, there wasn't much of a limit to how many parts I could slap on to make it go fast.

Granted, I really don't think starting out on any 250+ RWD car is a good idea. FWD or AWD is one thing, but RWD is a completely different story. Mature, experienced adults crash cars like that during senseless moments that happen 1/20th of the time that they happen with youth. I'd been "driving" for years and had gone to a couple sponsored driving schools before I got out of the old family sedan and into something more lively. And even then, I still don't think I would've been ready for 135/335/350z. I'd sleep better if my kid were driving around EVO, STI, or an S4 than one of those.

[Tonybest]

If I was mad loaded... I wouldn't buy any of my kids a car. I would lend them one of mine whenever it's necessary. We live in a city, they can use the bus / train / metro / walk to practically anywhere they need. If they work, go to school, maybe I will pay half of the car. But they will owe me my half.. no interest.

They will get my money when I die or at different moments (start a new business, a business opportunity, they owe money to drug dealers and would not want any broken legs, etc) It would always be a no interest loan. And as long as I would see a periodic amount coming back to me, i would not have a problem about it.

[bmw101]

It depends more on how you drive. I cannot believe how many stupid drivers are out there nowadays, 20s or 40s or even 60s. Doesn't matter the age group. They are just plain stupid.

The statement if you can't handle 300HP you can't handle any car is ridiculous. So if you can't fly a rocket launcher you can't pull a trigger on an AK47? LOL.

[Maxtor]

Part of the reason parents with lots of money may buy these expensive and high performance cars for their kids is peer pressure (ie if their friends drive expensive cars then the pressure is there to keep up with the others).

I don't buy the safety argument at all (otherwise, buy your kid a 3 year old Volvo station wagon with lower HP and all wheel drive... less likely to want to race their friends).

My first car was a beater. My cars got better as time went on (and my finances improved). I still have fond memories of some of these early cars that I had and I appreciated each upgrade because I had to wait for it and because I earned the money to pay for it.

Might be worth thinking about.

[Tonybest]

Originally Posted by Maxtor

Part of the reason parents with lots of money may buy these expensive and high performance cars for their kids is peer pressure (ie if their friends drive expensive cars then the pressure is there to keep up with the others).

I don't buy the safety argument at all (otherwise, buy your kid a 3 year old Volvo station wagon with lower HP and all wheel drive... less likely to want to race their friends).

My first car was a beater. My cars got better as time went on (and my finances improved). I still have fond memories of some of these early cars that I had and I appreciated each upgrade because I had to wait for it and because I earned the money to pay for it.

Might be worth thinking about.

Probably the most intelligent post here... apart from mine that is...
No I'm just playing with y'all...

But Maxtor has a great point. The peer pressure, the buying an older Volvo.. It's all so true.

[trickydisco]

Originally Posted by ik999

That's why I stand by my claim. If a driver can't handle a 335i, or 135i, they probably can't handle any car at all.

I just love the ridiculous hyperbole that you guys consistently spew.

[scoop]

Originally Posted by halB

I had a 265HP Firebird when I was 19 and I had only one speeding ticket for doing 50km/H in a 40 zone while owning that car. It is not the car, it is how responsible the driver behaves that matters.

But that's the whole point.
A 300 hp car is far less forgiving when a teenage boy does one of the irresponsible things that most teenage boys do.

[NoKids]

Originally Posted by Excellence

Oh and last week downtown this arab kid pulled up to my car in his M6 blasting Soulja Boy and yelled BRUP BRUP and drove away. What the crap is that?

it means you got served.

now if you serve him back, then it's on!

[Excellence]

Originally Posted by NoKids

it means you got served.

now if you serve him back, then it's on!

I'll throw a handful of pennies at him!
By the way, this is an old thread, no need to bring it back up.

[BMdblU]

Originally Posted by Excellence

I'll throw a handful of pennies at him!
By the way, this is an old thread, no need to bring it back up.

some punks did that to me in my a4. That's lowlife shit.

[Excellence]

Originally Posted by BMdblU

some punks did that to me in my a4. That's lowlife shit.

Ouch sorry to hear that bro...

[ik999]

Originally Posted by bmw101

It depends more on how you drive. I cannot believe how many stupid drivers are out there nowadays, 20s or 40s or even 60s. Doesn't matter the age group. They are just plain stupid.

The statement if you can't handle 300HP you can't handle any car is ridiculous. So if you can't fly a rocket launcher you can't pull a trigger on an AK47? LOL.

A 335i (300hp) isn't any harder to drive than a Civic (140hp).

Therefore, if you have difficulties handling the 335i, you will also have difficulties handling the Civic.

Is that so hard to accept?

A 300 hp car is far less forgiving when a teenage boy does one of the irresponsible things that most teenage boys do.

I think that it's mostly the excitement of driving a performance car which contributes to danger. Perhaps drivers are less likely to drive dangerously in a regular car.

I guess it all depends on how responsible your children are. Some people don't think of the possible dangers when they put keys in the hands of the children they didn't raise properly.

[ik999]

Originally Posted by ik999

A 335i (300hp) isn't any harder to drive than a Civic (140hp).

Therefore, if you have difficulties handling the 335i, then you will also have difficulties handling the Civic.

As I was reading my own post, I realized that my wording can let my statements be taken the wrong way.

When I say that the 335i isn't harder to drive than a Civic, I mean that a person who has no problems driving a Civic won't have any problems with the 335i. The only thing which they will have to do is compensate for the acceleration by using less throttle. Beyond that, they shouldn't have any problems.

Obviously, it's not a good idea to let a 'first time driver' drive the 335i.