Teenagers / Classic Cars ??
Executive summary: Determine what the driver's capability is before determining what car to get.
Congratulations to you and your daughter for having the foresight to visit this issue before it is more imperative. Before considering what to give her, consider
if you will give her a car.
- Responsibility: e.g. Is she currently taking care of a pet or is she reliable with the jobs she takes on inside and outside of the house? On any given day, what does her room look like? Invariably that will be what the inside of her car looks like, too.
- Attention to detail: Does she know what gauges are? What would she do if one is outside of normal range? When does a tire look like it does not have enough air? What fluids that leak from the car look like? Can she distinguish them from condensation off the A/C. What does an automatic transmission or power steering pump sound like when there is not enough fluid? Would she notice strange objects sticking out of a tire?
- Operational knowledge: This goes beyond driving techniques. Does she know how to check the air in a tire or how to change a tire? Does she know how to measure fluids and how to replenish when they are low? Can she read a road map to determine where she is and which way to go home or to her intended destination.
These days GPS Nav systems are so cheap, I'd recommend she have access to one, especially if driving alone at night. Program "HOME" into it. Recommend the kind that gives verbal directions like, "Turn left onto Adams Street in 500 feet." Rather than one that simply says, "Turn right in 500 feet."
Many states now have a "Home School" type driver training program. I've found it better than the public schools or the private driver training progams. Who knows best what your child is capable of doing or how to help her understand? It was a great bonding experience for me and my daughter. Plus, she had a lot more behind the wheel time than she would have gotten with either of the other programs. Results: Ten years later; no accidents, no moving violations.