I've got to catch a plane at six in the morning on Friday. I had planned to drive my '03 Mazda pickup and leave it at the airport while I'm gone for the weekend. Only, I've loaned the truck to my 22-year-old son who still lives at home, but is attending college full time and working, too. Somebody hit him in a parking lot recently and his vehicle is in the shop getting fixed.

My son is an excellent driver and has never been in an accident in the six years he's been driving. Got one speeding ticket for doing 80 in a 70 a couple of years ago.

Since he's got my truck, he's going to drop me off at the airport (an hour away) Friday morning and pick me up when I get back, late Sunday night.

Here's my dilemma... I'm thinking of letting him take me to the airport in the 'Vette. I think he'd get a big kick out of it and I'd rather get there in the C5 than the pickup, anyway.

I've let him drive the 'Vette since I bought it, twice. Once when I first got home with it -- I tossed him the keys and told him to take his little brother for a ride around the block -- and another one time when he was taking his (now ex) girlfriend out to lunch.

He's a good, responsible kid. I trust him completely. But am I tempting the fates by letting him drive me to the airport in the 'Vette? He'd be coming straight home and as for the airport pickup -- it'll be in the truck since he'll be working that day.

Whatcha think? Cool Dad move -- or asking for trouble?

 

Catch 22... yeah a cool dad move but a lot of what ifs??

 

Definitely both. I'd be dumb enough to let him drive the vette.

 

Read this.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1497467

If you still have any doubts...........

 

I would take the keys and put them in the suitcase and take them with me. Take the phone and call the airport transport and have them pick you up and drop you off! It's relatively cheap! If you have to think twice at this time then probably it's not a good idea. The last time I had this dilema I had and accident in the Vette!

It wont hurt to leave it in the garage and have it sit this one out! Think twice don't do it!IMHO!

Thanks,Matt

 

I let my kids drive the vette they are very good kids and i know it will be taken very good care of and by the way it is just a car so why not let him have a little fun along with Dad.
Just do it.

 

Yeah, I did. Totally different situation, however. My son already knows (and would be reminded) that handing the keys to anyone else, including his own MOTHER would mean certain and swift disembowelment upon my return. Fortunately, my lovely wife wants nothing to do with driving the 'Vette. My son doesn't even know it's an option at this point. I'm just sort of kicking around the idea.

 

I would let him drive you to and from the airport in the Vette. We're not talking about some stranger - this is your son. He's not 16 and just earned his driver's license - you state yourself he's an excellent driver and has six years experience under his belt. Let him drive you to the airport in the Vette...I don't see the big deal.

Tell him you expect him to take it straight home, and park it. No joy riding and no fooling around, otherwise it will be a long dry spell between now and his next chance to drive the Vette.

Enjoy your trip, Jeff and don't worry about it.

 

Does the car mean so much to you that you wont even let your son that you say you completely trust drive it? My son is only 6 but he's been driving atv's since he was 1 1/2, he has skills now that some grown men don't have so I don't think I'm going to have any problem with him driving my cars. If you trust him I don't see the problem.

 

Only you can answer that depending on how good your son is.

Personally I would show that you trust him. Lay down some guidelines and go from there.

 

I'd let him. You said he was responsible. What better way for you to show him responsibility pays off

 

Or call either an airport limo or a cab

Don't do it!!!

Larry

 

I let a close friends son drive mine to prom, mind you I drove his car and as soon as he and his date were inside the doors, I was in the vette and on the way home. He took excellent care of the car, not all kids these days are degenerates, some are still trustworthy.

Plus when I was younger I had friends of my parents who had nice cars, muscle cars and would let me drive them, taught me how to treat a fine automobile.

 

So far, looks like the "ayes" have it.

So it's like this...

I think I'm gonna go downstairs and see if my luggage will fit in the back. I suspect that it will. Assuming it does, I'll give my son the option of taking me to the airport in the truck or the 'Vette, and let him decide if he wants the responsibility or not.

I'm guessing, the answer will be ...yes.

I rememeber when he got back from lunch with his girlfriend that day, as he was handing me the key back, he said "Thanks, Dad. It was nice to know for a little while what it must feel like to be rich." Now we all know that "rich" is a relative term, but you get the feeling he had at that moment.

At the time, I thought it might have provided him a little more incentive to continue to work hard in school for his degree and stay focused on the potential future rewards, which can seem a little out of reach at that age.

Besides, what joy is there in owning a Corvette if you can't share the thrill of driving one with the ones you love (when the time is appropriate for the individual, naturally).

Thanks for reaffirming what I basically already knew. He's earned it.

 

I'm 19 and wil be buying a C5 next month! Sometimes it's not age, it's being responsible and mature. Since I will pay every darn cent for it, I will cherish it. I would let your son take it. Heck, if my dad owned a Vette, I'd beg for the keys!!

 

Most men can handle adversity if you want to check a man’s character give him power. Good luck with your decision.

 

I would let my son drive my car if he was old enough.

 

My kid is nearly 17. He's driving a VW GTI that we have both worked together on doing mods and have talked at length about 'racing'. What kid ISN't going to punch it a little to get the feel of the vette with so much power and control?

I trust my kid, and I know he's a good driver. He also knows where I stand on driving ANYONE's car beside his. Drive others like the owner likes it driven. He's real big in into the blip throttle heel toe braking/downshift and I scold him for it in his car unless he's practicing on becoming the next winner in the Indy Car races.

So, I've let him drive mine with me in it to the point I am comfortable with him (hard to imagine)...but it's true. In fact, his reflexes are likely a lot faster than mine in my aging late middle aged body.

It was a hard decision to let him take it out by himself, but I did, I have and will continue to do so, provided he demonstrates respect for his Dad, AND Dads vette.


I leave my keys in open access and I do travel some and leave the car at home. So far all has been trusted. You can use your DIC to see how many miles it was driven since last started, and he's always been honest.

So... if his is mature, trustyworthy, responsible, accountable, sincere and really appreciates the "Dad's nod of approval", he respects that, so I have no problem with it. A great way to bond and share and maybe even convince them these 4 cylinder rice poppers he and his buddies drive really are crap, then I've done my job and feel good too.

LET HIM DRIVE IT!

 

Let your son take you...

 

JMc,
Let him take you but without saying anything [or letting him catch you doing it] note how far it was to the airport and your mileage when he drops you off.
Check it when you return, see that he just drove it home cause the numbers will check out and then next time you won't have to second guess him or yourself.