When I was 14, I wanted a 1967 Cadillac Fleetwood that was for sale down the road from us. I conned my dad into taking me down there and looking at it, he drove it and it was in really good shape. I was really excited. My dad didn't say much he just asked the owner all the normal questions. Now, I mowed about a dozen yards up down the neighborhood, for a 14 yr old, I had good money saved up something like 2 grand. Which was enough to buy the car. Then when we got home, my dad asked me "How much money do you have in your pocket?" I had like 40 bucks. He said give it to me. I had a rather confused look on my face but gave it to him. Every couple of days he would ask the same question. Every time I gave him varying amounts. After a month he gave all the money back to me and said "count it". It was in the neighborhood of 500 dollars. I asked what was going on, his reply " that's the gas you just fed that car, only gas. You haven't put any tires on it, any belts, a battery, oil change, or broken anything yet. Now, do you want a Cadillac? The answer was still yes, but I bought an 86 Cavalier Z24. My point is, let him drive it the way it is. Whoever is paying for gas, will get tired of it. Whoever is replacing tires, and repairing the broken items which will surely follow will get tired of that too. Not going to lecture parenting, but unleashing a teen in a car you find body panels, much less a replacement seems a bit folly. Think long and hard, pray, you'll make the correct choice either way. If you do let him drive it though, he'll have some really cool stories to tell his kids!!!
