FYI, I think the "get a teen a large tank-like vehicle that is safe" is

a bit outdated advice.

The safety features in newer cars make them quite a bit safer than a big, old car.

Traction control, lane keep assist, and brake alerts could actually keep you out of a wreck. And modern crumple zones and wraparound air bags protect you better than the behemoths of old.

The one place old tank-like cars shine is in a 10 or 20 mph crash. Those land cruisers would hardly get scratched in parking lot or residential street collisions while a modern car may still give up its life to save you. You won't get hurt either way, but the repair bill will be a LOT lower with a big, old car.

But if the world goes to shirt on you at 40+ mph, you want to be in the most modern car you can reasonably afford.

In response to this post by Hokebury

Posted: 10/08/2021 at 1:13PM

So the boy turns 16.2500 Monday morning...Advice? -- JoesterVT 10/08/2021 12:10PM

Both of my kids totaled cars before they turned 18, both hydroplaning on -- Hokebury 10/08/2021 1:04PM

FYI, I think the "get a teen a large tank-like vehicle that is safe" is -- Tafkam Hokie 10/08/2021 1:13PM

What about an old police cruiser? ** -- EDGEMAN 10/08/2021 5:52PM

I don't know- if everyone else in the suburban a small one - ah ** -- bigbadbird 10/08/2021 1:46PM

Cars totaled were a Volvo wagon and a Ford Explorer with 4 wheel drive. -- Hokebury 10/08/2021 1:17PM

I recommend vehicles with lower center of gravity -- EDGEMAN 10/08/2021 6:50PM

That Volvo was surprisingly light in the back end ** -- Hokebury 10/09/2021 10:30AM

Did it do a lot of burnouts on your street? ** -- EDGEMAN 10/09/2021 2:03PM

Agreed, plus a smaller car is much easier for a new driver to manage ** -- JoesterVT 10/08/2021 1:15PM

It's really old advice, but it was good then -- Tafkam Hokie 10/08/2021 12:27PM

Explain that trees are unforgiving- and phones can wait ** -- bigbadbird 10/08/2021 12:48PM

Why do you say 16.25? Is there a rule that a 16 year old has to be -- HokieSignGuy 10/08/2021 12:20PM

You don't get a license at 16 anymore, at least in Virginia -- Tafkam Hokie 10/08/2021 12:28PM

Amazing number of kids waiting up to a couple of years before they get -- Tuckahokie 10/08/2021 1:15PM

15 years and 8 months for me for my learner's permit. -- EDGEMAN 10/08/2021 6:46PM

Daughter was chomping at the bit to get her license. Every delay -- Tafkam Hokie 10/08/2021 1:22PM

Did he finally get his license? -- EDGEMAN 10/08/2021 6:48PM

I had one kid tell me that he didn't want to drive because it meant no -- Tuckahokie 10/08/2021 1:24PM

^^^not my kid...one of their friends^^^ ** -- Tuckahokie 10/08/2021 1:49PM

I like the kid to have a license because of the freedom it affords me. -- Tafkam Hokie 10/08/2021 1:25PM

Of course...thankfully my kids got their licenses as soon as they could ** -- Tuckahokie 10/08/2021 1:48PM

Yes, Virginia that's the law...his learners will automatically convert... -- JoesterVT 10/08/2021 12:27PM

One of my nephews totalled a car recently reaching for his phone ** -- HokieDan95 10/08/2021 12:15PM

That phone is probably the single most dangerous thing in the vehicle. -- HokieSignGuy 10/08/2021 12:19PM

I'm thinking on an app that turns the phone into a brick while moving... -- JoesterVT 10/08/2021 12:28PM

FYI, I think the "get a teen a large tank-like vehicle that is safe" is

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