Personally I think it would be a poor choice - not because of the power or how awesome these cars are ... but purely for the reason that the visibility is pretty poor out of the sides and backs of these things.

I think that would be bad for a new driver.

I had pickup trucks as my first vehicles and loved them. You could find him a nice shortbox standard shift pickup. Those are plenty fun to drive as well.

 

If it were my kid, a V6 Auto Challenger would maybe be an option. A V8 6-spd, no way. It would be very easy for an inexperienced driver to get the back end to unintentionally kick out in any Challenger, but even more so in a V8.

The V8 6-spd RWD combo is also not a good idea for snow.

I own a 6-spd R/T.

 

Only if you're your nuts.

Sorry, but you asked.

 

No problem. I want honest opinions to help me and my son make this decision so keep em coming....

 

My daughter's first car was a Hummer H2 when she was 18. She traded it (meaning I traded it) about a year later for the Rallye Redline Challenger that she drives today. She loves her car and takes really good care of it. She will turn 21 in March if that helps.


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Really.........

If it were me, I would just SLAP the hell out of him and hand him a skate board and tell him to play outside!
Kids nowdays are so damn spoiled, they want things without having to work for them, It is your responsiblity as a parent to teach him the values of life! Damn, the "I want it now" generation!
Sorry! but it would not be the responsible thing to do!!

Good Luck and may you see the light!

David

 

There's always a question about safety and responsibility, and earning things, that needs to be considered. Only you know your son.

When my son got he driver's license, I let him have my 2001 Jeep Wrangler, because his grades were above 90, and he was showing good responsibility in life. However, the Jeep needed new brakes, new radiator, now water pump, and a good going-over. A condition of getting the Jeep was that he did all those repairs himself. Of course I helped him and bought the parts, but he did all the wrenching. It was one of the best 'fathering' things I have done for him.

 

My dad agreed to buy me one car in my life. I took him up on the offer when I was 17, and asked for a Charger. He laughed in my face when I said I wanted the R/T....and he was one of the smartest people I ever met. I got in enough trouble with a 6cyl lol.

 

A used Honda Accord of Civic will teach him to humility and patience with being a new driver. You will build more character in him by having him "graduate" to nicer cars as he gets older. He will appreciate it more. Giving an impulsive and presumably excited 16 year old with no experience a RWD muscle car with over 400 ft/lbs of torque is asking for disaster IMO.

 

Is he going to be working to pay for it, or are you just handing the keys over? Not trying to be on a high horse or anything, but I was brought up learning that if I wanted something, I had to work for it. The rewards of working for something are much greater IMO.
If it were me, I'd be looking for some sort of sedan or compact pickup around 5-10 years old and in good shape. If he really wants a Challenger, let him get some experience driving a vehicle around that is a good learner vehicle, and then eventually moving up.

As mentioned, visibility around these cars isn't the greatest, and could prove to be a challenge for a beginner. Also, insurance for a new driver in one of these cars would be a lot more than say an older vehicle such as a truck or sedan. Just my $.02.

 

I can still remember the things my friends and I did to my parents' 1980 Dodge Diplomat decades ago when I was a teen.

I still haven't told them anything, nor will I ever admit to any of it, willingly...

 

Hello and welcome from here in Central Ohio.....

To be honest the Challenger isn't a good 'first car' in my opinion.... you are talking about a 300 HP car that does have rear and side visibility issues. Changing lanes on a freeway you have to really pay attention to do that. For a new driver I would get a used (2003-2006) Civic, Accord, Camry, Corolla type car..... reason I say that they are going to have mishaps and you also want a vehicle that has readily available parts and cars made in mass.... He is young and has the rest of his life to get the vehicle he wants.

My 20 year old daughter is driving my old 2000 Accord and 18 year old son has a 99 Corolla....

 

I don't think I'd do it--definitely not a V8. Just wait until somebody his age wants to race him at a stoplight. Chances are you won't be there with him. Kids are more impulsive than we are, but only you know your kid. OTOH, I'm sure the insurance companies are going to love you: 16 year old + powerful RWD V8 muscle car = $$:clap:$$

 

Many things to consider here. If you are going to buy him a car (that is a personal decision you have to make, regardless of what vehicle you buy him), I see nothing wrong with an SXT. I grew up driving in the winters in Buffalo, NY with a RWD vehicle and I think it helped me learn how to drive. Put a good set of snow ties on for the winter (regardless of what he ends up with). I cannot stress that enough - you are setting him up for failure in the winter without them, especially in a 300hp RWD vehicle. Ultimately, you know your son - we do not.

 

My parents bought me my R/T when I was 15, haven't done anything stupid in it and don't plan to, this car is my most prized possession. I agree though, visibility sucks and if he plans to drive in reverse a lot it may not be a great choice.

 

Hey, as cool as it would be for him, I'd say hold off! If I think back to my driving behaviors as a 16 year old, I'm glad my parents gave me the old family 4 banger. Like any teenager, I got into plenty of trouble with it, but it was front wheel drive, slow, had great visibility, and was very forgiving in terms of handling.

If my dad had gotten me what I wanted (Porsche 914/6), I wouldn't have lasted the first weekend with it. Would've been too busy racing it around, showing it off, and trying to impress the girls.

At 45, I can barely handle these behaviors now...and I'm driving an SXT .

Good luck...it's not easy being a Dad.

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I had a 1973 Chevy Impala when I was 16. My dad had found it sitting in someone's garage and they gave it to him for 100 bucks. I was a pretty good kid, but even in that land-tank I got into plenty of trouble. I did learn how to work on cars since it always broke down, but I couldn't imagine what would have happened if it would have been a high performance car. Boys will be boys...right? Besides, IMO, its a right of passage for a boy to have a clunker for a first car. Teaches character and all that.

Now a V6 Challenger might be an option as others have mentioned. They are safe cars, but still have 300hp and a lot of blind spots.

 

Only you know your son... I have 3. I would feel fine letting my oldest drive my 392 back and forth to school... My middle son, heck naw! Time will tell with my 6 year old... Good luck with whatever you decide!

And I just put my 17 year-old on my insurance... on a 2005 Volvo XC90 with just liability ~$2500.00 a year... with discounts for good grades and a certificate from completing a driving class... :boohoo:

 

Only if he agrees

...to take over payments. I don't believe in giving kids cars nowadays. This generation feels entitled to everything. I bought my first car myself. Actually paying for something teaches respect for work. The kid might actually take better care of it.

 

I'd not get him the RT. Just too much power and torque as a first car for a 16 yr old. Not a wise decision as a parent IMO.
I'd get him a 4cyl manual like a subuwho if he really wants a manual.
My first car was manual honda civic. Learned so much with that car. I got a loan from my dad and paid him back and I was responsible for the gas, insurance, maintenance and all.
Made me appreciate it even more.
Also thought me to be independent not dependent.
I don't care if you're a gazillionair. The lesson he will learn from this experience will be invaluable and one that will stay with him forever.


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1- He wont ever fully appreciate it unless he buys it on its own, and has the experience of driving beaters to fully realize what an amazing car it is.

2- He WILL wreck it at some point, and owning one even in the 6 banger flavor will encourage "spirited" driving thus increasing the chances of it getting wrecked. Which in turn will wreck your insurance rates.

 

I say, if you're getting him a car then make him really earn it. Tell him to work for 2 summers and he must hold a job ALL summer for both years, after that match whatever he has saved and go shopping. In fact, to emphasize financial responsibility don't tell him about the deal, just tell him that he needs to work for two summers before he can get a car. Trust me, that's a great lesson to learn about money, vehicle ownership, and hard work.

 

My daughter turned 16 last summer, and she finally earned her driver's license this past December. What did she get as a vehicle? Our 13-year-old Jeep Grand Cherokee with 168k miles. Oh, and I steal it back from her in inclement weather. She gets annoyed, but who cares? She should be glad to have any vehicle.

I will not allow her to drive my Challenger, and there's no way in the world that I'd consider helping any 16-yr-old into one, especially my own child. Doing so would be asking for trouble. Young drivers, especially young men, are not consciously aware of the many dangers of operating a motor vehicle, and they tend to make poor/unsafe decisions.

Good luck with your pursuit.

 

I say go for it! You know your son best, and if you think he can handle driving a car (with significant blind spots) I would it will be a great connector for the two of you, and get an R/T too, with the traction control on it is a safe car, and that way it will also be fun for you to borrow!

...there's a bunch of granny pants on this site... LOL

 

Absolutely not. At 16, I'd never buy my kid a Challenger, Mustang, Camaro, or any other muscle car for that matter.

First off, he's a young kid who has little to no experience driving. That's a huge issue when it comes to getting a car. All it takes is for the kid to make one amateur move, try to race someone, try to do a burnout, or whatever else to totally trash the car. I've got plenty of driving experience and I still don't race people unless I can properly assess the road conditions and traffic volume. A kid driving a Challenger sees a Camaro or Mustang next to him and the next thing you know, the kid is racing and has no clue how to control the car if the situation changes.

Second off, your kid would have the "big head." You know, the whole "look at me, I'm rich, I've got a Challenger, you drive a POS" sort of mentality. The last thing we need is more kids running around thinking they're better than everyone else. I wouldn't even buy my kid a 90's model Mustang like most parents do. It makes them think they're better than everyone else.

Save your money and buy it for him when he graduates college. It's a huge incentive to graduate college and at 22 years old, he'll have enough driving experience to drive one.

Personal opinion. I'm not saying your son is inexperienced. He could be a racing prodigy for all I know. Just trying to provide my input so you can make the right decision.

 

Being a Father and having gone through this 2 times - I think it's too much too soon. First off the insurance would be prohibitive and secondly the Challenger isn't a starter car. The visibility is horrible and that alone is a challenge for an experienced driver. The first vehicle is a test of sorts - it's a proving ground for responsibility on several levels. I'd go with the front wheel drive Honda/Toyota as a starter vehicle for a couple of years and take it from there! In the meantime, here is something interesting to read: https://www.aaafoundation.org/sites...on.org/sites/default/files/research_reports/2012TeenDriverRiskAgePassengers.pdf