Does a 302ci + 2BBL + 16 yo = disaster

These stock mid 70's 302 motors don't have a ton of horsepower. Back in the day we didn't even consider them performance cars just economy cars with room. Bigger than a sub-compact. But in the end I have to agree that these cars don't have the best brakes, belts, no airbags, no high back bucket seats. My lovely bride keeps pointing this out to me when I look for a car for my 16 year old son. We are now looking at late 90's GTP's (supercharged V6). Personally I'm worried less about the power and more about the associated safety equipment. But my boys all grew up at the race track watching me. I guess road rage and texting (read inattentive drivers) worry me more than horsepower does. My boys were all pretty responsible and mature for their age.

 

V-8 mavericks and comets only have 143 hp stock a newer v6 motor has more hp than that

i don't think he will have to much horse power with that v8

 

Agreed. The first car I was driving on a regular basis was my dad's 302 4bbl Ranchero, but when that was acting up I'd have to take the minivan. I never got the old 'chero past 90 because the suspension and brakes were too scary at that speed. Pegged the minivan at 120 though. If a teenage boy has a vehicle, he will at some point drive it too fast. Period.

 

My 4 cyl car I just sold had 274 hp and 278 torq with a 6 speed manual tansmission and loved to drive 115+ and stock have seen it as a 12 second 1/4 mile car with AWD.

Its not the number of cylinders - its how it is tuned and geared mixed with the driver and safety knowledge.

Get the kid a hybrid 4cyl car or a Neo 3Cyl.

 

my buddy had a 93 geo metro 3cyl and it had front disc brakes and it was slower than my 69 bug with light mods (and yes the bug was to)

any way if you get him a old car then it might as well be a cool one like a mav with some potential unlike the bug i put a $3000 motor in it and i still couldn't beat a honda civic

so if he likes old cars and wants to learn how to work on them get it but if he wants to just drive something from A to B get a newer car

 

Even I am not so mean to put a 16 yo boy in a hybrid or Neo.

Yes he likes old cars and wants to fix it up. I have found newer Mustangs ('96 - '01) for him in his price range and even one or two Mustang Cobra IIs for an older car, but he wants a Maverick.

I think fixing up a car will give him a sense of ownership and respect for the car and himself. If he has something invested in the car (money and sweat), I think he will be less likely to abuse it.

Too many parents in our area just buy a car for thier son and the kid doesn't appreciated it and then ends up destroying it. I just sold my Eddie Bauer Explorer to a 17 year old kid ( paid by mom and dad) for $12K. He needed a new one since he had just totaled his Maxima.


I just can't comprehend a parent spending more on a car for thier kid, than I spent on a car for myself.

 

Hes got a couple years till hes on his own, have him build a mav.

 

I hope you get him the maverick. he wants one, there great cars, good investment, and he will gain lots of auto repair knowledge that will some day have him and his son debating what car to get him. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO GET HIM THAT MAV!2thumbs:

 

Yes I do want him to have a maverick. It is a cool car.

Dude sent a picture this morning. Going to try to make time to see it this week hopefully. My biggest priorities with it are engine and tranny. Per owner the brakes are new.

 

Robin

Your son will learn very quick IF he screws up HIS car that WALKING is not crowded and he can't due burn outs with shoe leather...

 

looks like the car is in good shape from the pic

 

How much doe's he want for it?

 

$1,500. Needs new tires immediately. It also needs ball joints replaced. New ones come with car.

 

In my opinion,your son would be much better off with the Maverick than a buzz bomb Honda Civic! The Maverick will still be worth something later on,rather than scrap metal to a junkyard.

 

P.S. I have bought used tires to get by. sometimes people trade them in just because they where on the car a year. good deals out there if you shop around. im doing ball joints on mine right now. i'll bet you get yours done b4 mine.if you bye the mav, send us some pictures. good luck!