Fiesta ST appropriate for a teenager's first car?

[Zombie]

Hi guys,

I am considering handing down my 15' FiST to my son who is planning to get his license this spring. I want him to learn to drive a manual, which is a good skill to have. However, I have concerns about the Fiesta's very small size in comparison to all the huge SUV's and trucks on the road. The Fiesta is not fast by any means, but is it too quick for the typical immature teenage boy?

My first car was an Accord and I remember driving it very hard and had a couple minor accidents due to stupidity and lack of driving experience.

Is a mid-size car like an Accord or Camry a better and safer choice? I hate to say this, but maybe even a Prius for it's boring character? I want him to be a car enthusiast in the future, but also want him to be safe as he matures and understands a car is a privilege and respect it and can be dangerous if driven carelessly.

Thoughts guys?

 

[theblue]

I think it would really come down to the maturity of the kid. These cars have some wiked lift off oversteer and you can get into trouble fast.

 

[Gimlet]

I like the stick-shift idea, because it will keep his hands busy and not on his phone.

 

[Bluedrank]

Would I buy a hot hatch for a 15-year old? God no, for a multitude of reasons. But, I don't know your particular child. So, maybe you could. Do you think he's mature enough to not hoon it dangerously on the street as a very inexperience driver?

 

[Dpro]

I think the Fiesta ST is a great car for his first car, if it is stock its not really all that fast, as much as it feels fast. Plis it means he will learn how fun it is to drive because of the feedback it gives.
I learned in a Datsun 510 and it shaped my driving future in a big way. Driving a car that handled and was manual taught me a lot about car control.
A Prius will not do that in fact I feel CVT trans cars are the worst. You are not driving them as much as riding in them to a certain extent.
I think the kid is pretty luxky to have a dad handing down to him an Iconic little car thats a shear blast to drive.

Forgot bigger, that does not always mean safer. Thats a common American misconception about vehicles. Somehow bigger means safer. Crash test data does not always bear that out though. SUV’s really are no safer than ordinary cars. Modern small cars are considerably safer than the small cars of my youth or your youth.


on the comment about bad idea giving him a hot hatch. Seriously if the kid is going to drive fasf or hoon he will do it in any car. Or at least try. Lol

This whole concept of if they are not exposed it they won’t do it is a real common fallacy in our American society.

Its like saying if the kid does not get exposed to drinking or smoking he won’t do it. The people that would do it will seek it out, its human nature.

My very first car was a Ford Mustang got it right after getting my license boght it myself for $500 with my own money. Wrapped it around a tree two weeks after buying it.

Mom had this idea I should get a Datsun 510 like my sisters automatic. I got a manual and learned how to really drive with the car. It did not stop me from driving how I was going to drive because it was not a V8 or handled better.

In fact the big opposite happened . I was able to really learn how to drive rather than ride like most lame American drivers who barelly know how to control their cars yet think they are great drivers because A: they ar cautious to a fault and B: think because they might never have been in an accident they are great drivers. Most who could not control their car a siide or skid if their life depended on it.

Don’t fall into the common over protective nanny state frame of mind just because its ac5ually a quick fun little car to drive. That is if you want him to be an enthuisist.

 

[RubenZZZ]

Its the perfect car. Its safer than most used cars. Its got plenty of pick up and go. Easy on gas and insurance i assume.

He's your kid. If you cant trust him in a FiST, you shouldnt trust him in any car. Teach him how to "drive" and not be like the rest of the populace too busy texting or making videos of themselves instead of controlling a 2ton machine.

If your kid is a knucklehead, buy him a Volvo station wagon from the 80s. Slow and undestructible!

Sent from my LGLS992 using Tapatalk

 

[CarGuy]

I would disagree that it's a good teenager vehicle choice.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[FiSTerMr]

Im gonna sound like the bad guy here, but I say give him something like an accord/camry. I was an asshole at that age and giving me a car like this wouldve got me into trouble for sure.

 

[SlowDunny]

Hi guys,

I am considering handing down my 15' FiST to my son who is planning to get his license this spring. I want him to learn to drive a manual, which is a good skill to have. However, I have concerns about the Fiesta's very small size in comparison to all the huge SUV's and trucks on the road. The Fiesta is not fast by any means, but is it too quick for the typical immature teenage boy?

My first car was an Accord and I remember driving it very hard and had a couple minor accidents due to stupidity and lack of driving experience.

Is a mid-size car like an Accord or Camry a better and safer choice? I hate to say this, but maybe even a Prius for it's boring character? I want him to be a car enthusiast in the future, but also want him to be safe as he matures and understands a car is a privilege and respect it and can be dangerous if driven carelessly.

Thoughts guys?

Depends on the kid and their friends. Friends can influence bad behavior if they are not mature.

I would get him a platform that he has to modify to make fast, not something fast out of the box.

 

[Jerickson88]

My second car was a SVT Focus.. not fast but fast enough that my parents worried!

I told my son it would be his first if he wanted it (he’s now 7) so I figure he could have a well taken care of car that he’s grown up in and understands the potential. If I have it 9 years from now, which I very wel may. Once ya paid for its here to stay.

Depends on if you trust your sons judgement

 

[METZGER]

If you don't mind seeing it with a few battle scars.... Like the front overhangs a bit so they hit kerbs and stuff also if there is slightly steep gutter going on to a road the front just scrapes into the tarmac if you don't go on an angle.. I guess it could be a good way of learning that part. They come with 7 airbags so safety shouldn't be a problem. Here in Australia you have to be at least 25 to drive a turbo car I think.

Sent from my Mi MIX 2S using Tapatalk

 

[Fast Eddie]

One of my first cars. Back when I was 18 Was a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner. With a 440 Magnum.

 

[koozy]

Hi guys,

I am considering handing down my 15' FiST to my son who is planning to get his license this spring. I want him to learn to drive a manual, which is a good skill to have. However, I have concerns about the Fiesta's very small size in comparison to all the huge SUV's and trucks on the road. The Fiesta is not fast by any means, but is it too quick for the typical immature teenage boy?

Bad choice IMO. You don't throw a kid on a 1000cc or 600cc bike if you're smart and care about the child. Handing the keys to a FiST is spoiling them with something they haven't earned the appreciation for themselves and earning it. Should ideally start on something a bit more tame and consider a throw away car.

My first car was an Accord and I remember driving it very hard and had a couple minor accidents due to stupidity and lack of driving experience.

Be prepared for funeral expenses and accept some responsibility if it happens with the FiST and helping to enable it. The statistic aren't on your side.

Is a mid-size car like an Accord or Camry a better and safer choice? I hate to say this, but maybe even a Prius for it's boring character? I want him to be a car enthusiast in the future, but also want him to be safe as he matures and understands a car is a privilege and respect it and can be dangerous if driven carelessly.

Thoughts guys?

What you want and what he may want may not be the same. He may be interested and passionate about ballet.

 

[Ford ST]

My first primary vehicle was a 96 Ford escort I pushed that piece of crap car to the limit constantly. It all comes down to is your kid a speed crazy, or someone that's very tame. My coworker at work no matter how much horsepower you give him is always going to drive calm and slow. This car would definitely been a lot safer, and more reliable than my first car but it could have possibly got me into more trouble with its power. Personally I think it's too nice of a car to just be given to somebody. Let him have a slow throw away car so he can earn a little respect for what it takes to get nicer things.

I know a lot of people don't consider these cars fast any vehicle you can take down the interstate and do a stable speed of 140 + miles an hour is fast. It's not snap your neck fast but it will put you in the 3 digit zone very easily.

Sent from my LG-LS997 using Tapatalk

 

[Jerickson88]

My son is cautious and respectful. He will be fine in a car like this. My daughter can have the 04 Tahoe lol

 

[METZGER]

One of my first cars. Back when I was 18 Was a 1969 Plymouth Road Runner. With a 440 Magnum.

Now that would be an awesome first car ! I only ever seen a couple of those cars back in New Zealand, never seen one here in Australia in the whole 6 years of living here.. [emoji848]

Sent from my Mi MIX 2S using Tapatalk

 

[Jvepps]

Id say no. Toyota Corolla or similar would be better IMO. Would probably last through college as well.

 

[Zombie]

Thanks for all the feedback so far guys! Lots of solid reasons for and against.

I am leaning towards getting him something conservative and more pedestrian. The original intent was to get him interested in the Fiesta and then maybe some father/son bonding. However, I can't even get him to join me at the gym.

 

[Dpro]

Thanks for all the feedback so far guys! Lots of solid reasons for and against.

I am leaning towards getting him something conservative and more pedestrian. The original intent was to get him interested in the Fiesta and then maybe some father/son bonding. However, I can't even get him to join me at the gym.

Well while I favored letting him get it, in the end if he has no interest then put him in a ordinary car. But for his own sake at least get him a manual for the sake of learning how to drive stick. IMO
Otherwise yes if he is not into driving a sportier type car then just go with the flow. Fact is if he gets into it he will of his own choice.
If you are not getting his attention now like when you go to the gym then most likely he may not even be into cars like you are.

 

[Zombie]

My plan is to teach him how to drive in the Fiesta and see how that goes. I am also considering a previous generation Accord Sport, which came with a manual transmission as a possible option.