Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

[Hannah3]

My daughter Hannah (17) has her licence and has been driving my 5 year old Accord around for 6 months with no problems. She obviusly would love to drive the Bird but so far I have refused. What say you all? (she was three when I registered my first handle on my first web site-therefore Hannah3)

[Bradford]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

Ouch! That's tough, you could be a hero or end up really sad. My neice, 18, wants to drive mine, I typically spoil my nephews and neice with anything they want. I have not given in to this yet, I have let her drive my Acura TL, so far no damage, but honestly feel it's just a matter of time for that first incident, definately do not want it to be in my Thunderbird, she scares me. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not a very good passenger in my own car or what. One of my nephews is 21 and wants to take off in my 67' Mustang Conv. that has been a definately been a NO. He definately scares me to death behind the wheel of a car. How he hasn't been in a wreck is a miricle to me. My sister insist he is a good driver, but also tells me I would be a fool to let him go out in it. They have each placed a claim on the respective cars of their choice, for some reason they think I'm going to be giving them up. I've offered to buy them their choice of a Gremlin, Pacer or Pinto. They have never even heard of these.

[SixPac]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

By all means YES. Give her a set of keys that she can call her own.

[Claire T]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

Hannah 3,
Be prepared for all the legalities, God forbid, if they were in an accident, all the added insurance, never mind the loss or damage to your Bird.
Its not only them driving, but all the crazy other drivers out there.
We have a 19 year old son, now in the Army, and he asked once to drive the Bird to school and his Dad said no, and he has never asked since. He hemmed and hawed for awhile, but has now accepted it. And he has his own truck now, and thru no fault of his own, ( he was in classes in high school,) a school bus driver coming to pick up students, smashed into his truck and did alot of damages. His statement to me was, " Wow, what if that was the TBird"?
So it is not always their fault, but its your car, I suggest she drive something else. JMHO!!!
Claire

[AZTB]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

ABSOLUTELY NOT. I love my 5 grandkids, but not a one of them is going to drive my car(s) until either, 1) I'm gone, or 2) I've lost my mind.

[islandtime]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

In a word..................

NO!

[V8 Cat]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

I have an insurance background and the statistics are just awful for teenage drivers in the first couple of years of getting their license. The plus side is that you have a girl driving and not a teenage son (I remember that statistic well - that a male has a 60% chance of having an accident within the first 6 months of obtaining his license). That said, while the female record is better, it is still not good. IMHO your daughter needs another 18 months of perfect driving before even considering turning her loose in the Tbird. Experience is so important in safe driving, and you just don't have enough of it within 6 months.

[FUN X 3]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

Jim, if it were me, I'd hand her the keys only if she was a proven good driver, I was sitting in the passenger seat, and the drive was on roads that are safe and not congested with traffic. Otherwise, nope!

[MagicFen]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

All one needs to do is remember the stupid things you yourself did when younger. Now, there is the added threat of cell phones, texting and LOTS more traffic (with youngsters texting and cell phoning...) I would say no.

[luvbirdz]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

My boys , 27 & 29 have both driven the Bird, with me in the passenger seat, they also drove the 82 LeBaron Convertible after they had their full license (ie. they were over 18) with me.
Youth, inexperience, hormones and a V8 just don't mix. Maybe next year let her take YOU for a drive in a safe area of light traffic just for the feel, but not to pick up a friend, crank up the tunes and go cruising. Ah yes, I remember the days and what I did in the Comet Station Wagon, 6 cyl. 3 speed on the column, that's why dad kept the Buick Electra convertible out of my hands except for very rare occasions.
MARTIN

[BirdsAndBugs]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

Take your daughter out to lunch sometime and let her drive it when you're with her so she can experience dad's T-Bird. Plus you get to spend some time together.

[Black Bengal]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

Jim,
My 16 year old son just got his license. I have been teaching him to drive various cars since he was 13 (starting of course in very rural areas) & so I allow him to sometimes drive my T-bird. He has so far proven to be very responsible. I'm teaching him the value of ownership also. One of the conditions for him to drive the car is that he must keep it washed & vacuumed. I taught him how to properly wash the T-bird by hand & clean the interior properly. He also helps me service it (change oil, cabin air filter, rotate tires, etc.) & he knows that any screw-up on his part while driving the bird (accidents or tickets) will mean that his relationship with my car will be severed for a long time. I know that other drivers do pose a threat even if he is driving responsibly, but the same thing could happen to me today while I'm behind the wheel. I guess what I'm saying is that the lessons, skills, & responsibility that my son gains from being associated with my T-bird is truly priceless to me.

-Mark

[Lonestar]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

My wife has never even driven my Thunderbird. She wanted to one time so I took her to a dealership and let her drive theirs. Someday I probably need to cave in and let her drive it to work but frankly, she would rather drive her vehicle.

[04birdman]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

iv only had my bird a week....my 19 yr old son has taken it to mcD's a couple of time...to his friends house to show it off....would i let him take it and just run around with it....no... but he is my SON....and the bird is just a car....

[Hannah3]

Re: Should Hannah Drive the Bird?

This is turning out to be an interesting thread! Thanks so far. Hmmm. So far I'm inclined to wait for another year or so but perhaps let her take the wheel for a spin while I'm in the passenger seat.