[NeighborsComplaint]

When I was 16, dads were the authoritarian. I wanted a used Malibu SS w. a 4 speed but he was loaning me the money so he made me buy a 4 door Galaxie 500 6 cylinder stick. I was embarrassed to drive it anywhere. When the time came for my son's first car, he really liked the Camaro IROCZ. We found a clean, one-owner used one and he never put a scratch on it. When my daughter was ready for her first car, she wanted a Ford Explorer. We went out and found a clean Eddie Bauer for her.

It was more of a collaboration with my kids when picking out a car. I wouldn't force them to drive to drive a "taxi cab" like my father did with me and knew they were much responsible than I was at that age. I know my dad had my best interests at heart (car was slow and safe) and he was absolutely right. First time I took one of my buddies for a ride, I put it in a ditch trying to do a power slide around a corner on a gravel road. No damage, but it taught me to never drive beyond my abilities.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by NeighborsComplaint

First time I took one of my buddies for a ride, I put it in a ditch trying to do a power slide around a corner on a gravel road. No damage, but it taught me to never drive beyond my abilities.

I guess a lot of us had that same or similar experience. I remember the very first time my mother let me drive completely alone. I still had my learner's. 1966 Chevy Impala 4dr with a 327 4bbl. The very first place I went was where I knew 'the fellas' would be hanging out. After shooting the breeze for a few minutes, I decided I would show them some power on my way out of the parking lot. I stomped it to the floor right as I was passing over a patch of gravel in the middle of the asphalt where it met a gravel drive.
I did a near-complete 360 and wound up in a ditch facing a 100 year old oak.
The car went dead.
Someone was looking out for me as I did not damage the car and it actually started and backed out of the ditch.
I would have caused a major catastrophe if I had wrecked that car. My father had recently passed and my mother was struggling to finish raising/riding herd on 4 teen-aged boys on a very small salary. Sure couldn't have afforded another car.