[WallieX5]

At what age would you let your kid drive your M3 on an errand? I have a college-aged kid that always begs to drive the M3 but I told him only if I’m in the car with him. He’s pretty responsible but still somewhat of a typical 20 year old. While I trust his driving skills, I’m scared that he will try to see how fast the car accelerates and drives.

[wtwo3]

they're lucky they even get to sit in it to begin with

[M3TANOIA]

Originally Posted by WallieX5

At what age would you let your kid drive your M3 on an errand? I have a college-aged kid that always begs to drive the M3 but I told him only if I’m in the car with him. He’s pretty responsible but still somewhat of a typical 20 year old. While I trust his driving skills, I’m scared that he will try to see how fast the car accelerates and drives.

I wouldn't anymore. My son scratched both of my wheels on the driver's side.

[WallieX5]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

they're lucky they even get to sit in it to begin with

[Gfit]

Giving 500+ HP to an inexperienced driver is never a good idea.

[WallieX5]

Originally Posted by M3TANOIA

I wouldn't anymore. My son scratched both of my wheels on the driver's side.

My younger son scratched the carbon at the back of the passenger seat when he tried putting on his soccer cleats in the car!

[Znomorph4theWin]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

they're lucky they even get to sit in it to begin with

An answer that I wholeheartedly agree with…

[8262S]

Does this qualify as an errand?

[stormlv]

If it's under controlled circuimstances, yes - I'd let them.
I wouldn't let them alone - especially if they'd take friends with them

BTW, why not take him to a track day where he can drive the car fast in a safer environment.

Sometimes things get organized for people that don't have a lot of experience.
A while back, we had 2 old ladies in a mini that went on a track...

[Hendo741]

Its just a car. Kids have to learn somewhere, and insurance exists for a reason.

I let my 20 YO son take my tuned RS3 on track a few years ago. He drove the RS3, I drove my Supra. I no longer own either of those cars lol.

[astroricardo]

Probably depend on the kid.

Would I have let 20 year old me drive it? Hell to the no! Not sure I would still be here if I had access to this level of car

[ano0oj]

I grew up with a dad that has been buying true sport cars my entire life, so I was EXTREMELY lucky to exposed to powerful cars early on. I'll do it the way my dad did...sat with me a few times to make sure I know how to control that much power, and his trust in me grew. Honestly, knowing that I have his full trust and he is comfortable with me driving those cars kind of deterred me from ripping the $H** out of it every time. In my mid-30s now and have driven all sorts of exotics thanks to him, now I just drive to enjoy them and don't feel the need for speed...all the time.

It's better than your kid eventually sneaking it out without you knowing, and having ZERO experience taming a 500hp beast.

[WallieX5]

Originally Posted by stormlv

If it's under controlled circuimstances, yes - I'd let them.
I wouldn't let them alone - especially if they'd take friends with them

BTW, why not take him to a track day where he can drive the car fast in a safer environment.

Sometimes things get organized for people that don't have a lot of experience.
A while back, we had 2 old ladies in a mini that went on a track...

Agreed. I've been trying to find an event close to me even if just for an autocross.

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by Hendo741

Its just a car. Kids have to learn somewhere, and insurance exists for a reason.

I let my 20 YO son take my tuned RS3 on track a few years ago. He drove the RS3, I drove my Supra. I no longer own either of those cars lol.

I dont have kids, but I let my nephew take either of my cars. He took the 458
To his prom in May. Lol. He thought he was so cool. They are just cars boys. They make new wheels /bumpers/fenders ect ect. Everyday. If I’m not using them, happy to let certain people enjoy them. That’s what they are built for, to drive and have fun. I feel safer with him driving that then the F-82. Thing is sketchy🤣

[WallieX5]

Originally Posted by Hendo741

Its just a car. Kids have to learn somewhere, and insurance exists for a reason.

I let my 20 YO son take my tuned RS3 on track a few years ago. He drove the RS3, I drove my Supra. I no longer own either of those cars lol.

It is certainly just a car but the car could also end up taking a life when crashed. I don't mind him making mistakes but only mistakes that won't be life altering and he can easily recover from.

[8262S]

A 16 year old can qualify to solo an airplane.

18 year olds can go to war and operate multi-million dollar machines.

Kids can do shit behind your back that you’ll never know about. Even in a 160 hp Honda Civic. (Should we talk about dating?)

I started my kids with .22LR firearms when they were around 5-6 year old. When they were 10 they were competently and safely handling modern center fire semiautos.

They were allowed to take the boat out at 16 but only after showing that they could handle it.

Which kid is safer, the one who was exposed to things and trained, or the one who was not given any responsibility to grow and prove themselves?

Those of you who don’t trust your kids would probably be shocked to find out what they do that you don’t know about. And their first experience with a real car will look like a Mustang leaving Cars’N Coffee.

[TJR_///M3]

When I was 20 my road car had about 90hp… and I did enough damage in my 120hp race car on track.
If I’d been let loose with 500+ on the road I very much doubt I would be here today typing this…

[G MONEY]

Originally Posted by 8262S

A 16 year old can qualify to solo an airplane.

18 year olds can go to war and operate multi-million dollar machines.

Kids can do shit behind your back that you’ll never know about. Even in a 160 hp Honda Civic. (Should we talk about dating?)

I started my kids with .22LR firearms when they were around 5-6 year old. When they were 10 they were competently and safely handling modern center fire semiautos.

They were allowed to take the boat out at 16 but only after showing that they could handle it.

Which kid is safer, the one who was exposed to things and trained, or the one who was not given any responsibility to grow and prove themselves?

Those of you who don’t trust your kids would probably be shocked to find out what they do that you don’t know about. And their first experience with a real car will look like a Mustang leaving Cars’N Coffee.

Winner winner

[BryanCO]

As others have said, you have to know your son/daughter. We have to be the adult in the process and there is no one comprehensive approach that fits all situations.

My son, who turned 19 last month, rides an 848 Streetfighter and does drive my cars.

[mcsquared]

Sure, I would, after making sure he knew how to drive it and allowed me to build trust in him. Would I start him out with a 4-500hp car in a manual, probably not day one. I’d find a manual beater for him to learn on, and then, take him out on some quiet roads with an M car. That’s how I taught my wife to drive a manual, a few years ago. They have to learn to be responsible, at some point, so, might as well teach them to be. I’ve got a few years till the kid starts driving…so no immediate worries.

[Hendo741]

Originally Posted by WallieX5

It is certainly just a car but the car could also end up taking a life when crashed. I don't mind him making mistakes but only mistakes that won't be life altering and he can easily recover from.

Any car has the ability to take a life, and a mistake in any car can lead to life altering consequences. Which car is more dangerous between a 500 hp performance car or a sub 200 hp family sedan is debatable. The '94 S10 I grew up trashing on back roads is probably considerably more dangerous than my M4 in retrospect.

[JY01]

What does he currently drive, and what’s the fastest car he’s driven so far? If he has experience driving quick cars and/or you think he’s worked his way up enough, I would say go for it after sitting passenger a few times to get him familiar with the car and its power. If your M3 is xDrive there’s a little less to worry about.