Looking for opinions on Land Cruiser for a teenager

[ceylonfj40nut]

Both boys drive cruisers. Taught them how to drive on small country roads since they were 8 years old. Taught them stick shift before they were 12 in my 40. Teach them early, they do better in the long run. They drive 40s to college and more.

 

[Skiime]

Great input from everyone, much appreciated. Definitely lots of things to think about, but luckily we still have some time before we have to make a decision. The good thing is he really is a great kid. Good grades, great athlete, works hard, and by some cosmic luck, he's got an awesome group of friends, so somehow my wife and I lucked out on that front...now my daughter, that's a different story, but I'll save that for another time. Bad news is, where we live, insurance is going to be an absolute bitch no matter what car he drives. I'm much more worried about how bad the drivers are around here than him as a new driver, but so far he's handled that pretty well. Again, thanks for all the comments.
Oh, and someone was joking about selling their cars when they die...I always say, I hope when I die, my wife doesn't sell all my stuff for how much I told her I paid for it.

 

[Skiime]

Both boys drive cruisers. Taught them how to drive on small country roads since they were 8 years old. Taught them stixk shift before they were 12 in my 40. Teach them early, they do better in the long run. They drive 40s to college and more.

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That's awesome! Love it! And I agree, start 'em as early as possible. I've been letting my son drive since he was 14. He got his boaters license on his own at 13, and I've let him drive off road since he could reach the pedals. I think it gives them confidence. Great job with your boys.

 

[ryanCA]

See? I knew I'd eventually get a logical suggestion on here. Ferrari it is!

488 or 812?

 

[ryanCA]

Both boys drive cruisers. Taught them how to drive on small country roads since they were 8 years old. Taught them stixk shift before they were 12 in my 40. Teach them early, they do better in the long run. They drive 40s to college and more.

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heartwarming

great job!!!

 

[gasman4u]

I am still a moron.

That’s my favorite color too!

But seriously, I remember what I was like at that age and can see both sides. My first car was as old as I was and it was not reliable. Embarassing as hell to be seen in, but I sure got motivation from having to drive it around and made me appreciate the finer things to follow. As a first car, the 200 may not be the best for reasons already mentioned and the fact it’ll be the benchmark to which all other cars will be compared. My vote is to keep your 200 and get something a little smaller for them to start on. The rav4 may be a good option for lower cost of ownership and modern safety features of a newer car. Whatever you decide, follow up here as I’m interested and think about this very same question.

 

[MRego]

For some reason I always think a 90s or even 2000s Subaru is a good starter for kids. Outback, Forester, whatever Subaru.

 

[ryanCA]

For some reason I always think a 90s or even 2000s Subaru is a good starter for kids. Outback, Forester, whatever Subaru.

I do too. But after reading these threads, and how unsafe they are, I guess it means I don't love my children?

I have been daily driving a 49 Ford F1 and a 67 Caddy last 4 years. Guess I don't love myself either.

Then again I only drive my 200 at night, as during the day I don't want to be mistaken for HIghlander owner

 

[Heckraiser]

Late to the party, but no kid of mine gets a free ride. Especially not something as valuable as a 200 LC. Even a 12yo model is still a $30k vehicle.

My rule has always been: kid gets job, kid saves up, kid picks out a car within a reasonable budget. If I approve of their choice, I'll match their $$$. Extra perks and privileges for manual transmission. Thankfully I didn't have to worry about school performance or behavior.

To sum up, you're all bad parents

:edit: this is your son, so maybe not relevant (but maybe it is?) I let my daughter drive my FJ60 to highschool a couple times when her mazdarati was down and the attention she got from the boys was unsettling.

 

[BVE]

Pros:
- Bank vault on wheels
- Reliability
- Known commodity
- You will be the most badass dad your side of the Mississippi
Cons:
- Bank vault on wheels. Honestly I wouldn’t trust an unseasoned driver with controlling such a heavy vehicle.
- 200s are going for a ton of money and you could maximize for yourself and your kid by selling it.
- Too much car IMO. I am of the opinion the kid should earn a vehicle like this and understand how much goes into gas, insurance and overall care before they get a 70k+ vehicle when new. Will he be required to front the cost of a valley plate leak, for example.
- Damage. It’s gonna happen and this whale might take a ton of hits while the kid learns depth perception and overall control of the vehicle.

I’d personally go the Corolla route because let’s not act like safety and reliability don’t exist in those too. They are also way easier to drive

 

[rexington14]

Yeah that's nuts. There's a time to pass your Land Cruiser on to your kid. But not when it's only 12 years old and your kid just turned 16.

 

[bj70bc]

Late to the party, but no kid of mine gets a free ride. Especially not something as valuable as a 200 LC. Even a 12yo model is still a $30k vehicle.

My rule has always been: kid gets job, kid saves up, kid picks out a car within a reasonable budget. If I approve of their choice, I'll match their $$$. Extra perks and privileges for manual transmission. Thankfully I didn't have to worry about school performance or behavior.

To sum up, you're all bad parents

:edit: this is your son, so maybe not relevant (but maybe it is?) I let my daughter drive my FJ60 to highschool a couple times when her mazdarati was down and the attention she got from the boys was unsettling.

i agree....
haha...shaggin wagon!

 

[ryanCA]

..shaggin wagon!

is that the sienna or the 200?

how many high schoolers are cum guzzliing in these vehicles?