Is the Q45 a good choice for a new driver...

[ardvarkus]

Hey Guys-

Daughter is getting her license- should she drive the Q?

1990 with 220k, new everything. (If she drives it I will replace the injectors.)

I (and mom) are concerned it is too fast, and only has front airbag.

Sure she's a good kid, blah, blah, but you know how it is: first month they are driving too slow, stoping twice at a stop sign- next thing they are doing 75 down the county road to school.

I've got it for sale, but thought I would elicit your (expert?) opinions- where better than the Q45 board.

Thoughts?

Thx

A

[DJ E-Bam]

Statistically, new drivers have their first accident within the first 2 months of having their license.

Also consider, the Q45 is a big car....and in my opinion, not for beginners. It has a lot of horses at the rear wheels which equals uncontrolable fish-tailing in the hands of an unexperienced driver. These cars are not easy to control like a Honda Civic. If you don't know how to handle 300+ horses in the gravel when you drift off the shoulder then you could be in BIG trouble.

I would get her something smaller, cheaper to drive and cheaper to fix. Something like an Infiniti G20....or a Nissan Sentra.....or even an Altima.

Just my $0.02...

[96Qowner]

I'll present the other side. I'd say it all depends on how she thinks of the Q. If she's been led to believe that it's fast and powerful, she'll probably want to try it herself - bad idea - big car, heavy, likely to surprise her with stuff she can't anticipate as a new driver. But if she thinks it's a classy, gorgeous, comfortable ride, it'll be a great car for her.

I, frankly, don't get much of a thrill driving it around town. I just don't think it lends itself to hotrodding, despite what the youngsters say. I break FAR more laws in my lil zippy Accord. And a big car like the Q offers her better protection in any accident.

So ... you been braggin' about how fast it is? Or have you kept that to yourself.

(in our youth, my little sister used to hotrod the bejesus out of our family Olds 98 - the sucker burned tires and fishtailed with the best of 'em)

[nchopp]

Both sides have a valid argument, but personally, I'd lean towards DJ E-Bam's.

[elwesso]

If you find its too fast, I can suggest ways to make it slower..... Just retard the timing about 10* and she can run it even on 87 octane!!!!!

My first car was a Q, heavy cars IMO are better...

IMO the Q is better than most cars in accident avoidance because it has ABS, and really good brakes...

[Rex]

No offense to your daughter, but I think allowing her to have it as a first car is offering it up as sacrafice. Now, it would be a very safe place for her if there was a wreck, but the car would be written off by your ins co.

[ardvarkus]

Offering up as a sacrifice?!? You want to know what a sacrafice is?

If she doesn't get it, I will either donate it to charity or sell it to the highest offer by year end! (It is up on the for sale board) THAT's a sacrifice.

I'm really pretty sick about the whole thing- I suppose I got my $33,000 worth out of it over the last 15 years and 225k miles, just seems a shame. But I don't drive it, and really likely won't drive it any more.... takes up space in the garage, so out it goes. (It'd be easier if it was wrecked...)

Sigh

(The insurance would be a write off- I have no collision coverage, and with a book value of $1800, why bother?)

Probably better to let her use the MDX and look for a new car for the wife, or buy a 5-10k 4 cyl for the daughter to use...

I think really it is just a weighing of risks as has been pointed out already- no guarantees in this world, eh?

Thanks for the input

A

[Rex]

You're absolutely right, but the real sacrifice would be if one of your family members got hurt. Would she be likely to get hurt in a Q? No, not if she was wearing her seat belt.Would she be more likely to have an accident with a car that big/powerful? Only you and her Mother could be a judge of her driving ability, so that's yoru call.

As for the car being donated or given away, that, though it may only be short-lived, would allow another person to enjoy the Q for the great road machine that it is. I'm not trying to say you shouldn't let her drive it or that you should give it away. I know I would buy it, as I've always wanted an early, well careed for Q, even if it doesn't have a grille .

Good luck and give the Classifieds forum some time.

[Falkdesigns]

After reading the various opinions, I am leaning towards it being a pretty good idea. At least you know the cars history, it's big, and pretty safe. It's also paid for, and as you know, insurance for her will be $$. Chances are she's not going to race it all over, and if she is, then she's gonna race whatever she gets regardless, so it might as well be big and safe (although, how safe is a 16 year old car compared to current standards, even if it is big?). IMO, it's not a bad car for her to start out in.

[elwesso]

After reading the various opinions, I am leaning towards it being a pretty good idea. At least you know the cars history, it's big, and pretty safe. It's also paid for, and as you know, insurance for her will be $$. Chances are she's not going to race it all over, and if she is, then she's gonna race whatever she gets regardless, so it might as well be big and safe (although, how safe is a 16 year old car compared to current standards, even if it is big?). IMO, it's not a bad car for her to start out in.

agreed completely Kevin ( for once? )

[MattB]

The question I'd ask is is she capable of handling a car with that much power? Some kids are obviously more responsible than others, so if in your opinion she can handle it, by all means go for it. The only concern I would have would be for passengers since a 1990 Q doesn't have dual airbags IIRC. As an alternative I would wholeheartedly recommend a 1994-1996 G20. It was my first (and current) car and it's been nothing but good to me.

[Jeff Williams]

Definitely a great car as a first car. I have been thinking of giving Layla t omy Nephew for a first car as well.

I would want my child in nothing less that a Q45. I believe it is a very safe and stable car in the rain and dry. Not very good on snow, unless you have snow tires, but that is true about almost all cars.

Even if she wrecks the car, you can still donate it to one of those charities that fix up cars and sell them.

[Jesda]

No. At age 24 and 12 or so cars later, even I was hardly responsible with it. Sure is a safe coccoon though.

[DJ E-Bam]

...I just don't think it lends itself to hotrodding, despite what the youngsters say. I break FAR more laws in my lil zippy Accord...

Youngster, huh? Doesn't lend itself to hot rodding? First of all....I'm 30....not some 18 year old who just got off training wheels. I've been around a vehicle a few times: engine swaps, FI installs, custom suspension work, the works. Hot rodding isn't something with rules...there's no form factor to it. Any rodding enthusiast will agree. And....anything can be "hot rodded". It's how and where you drive it.

Enjoy that Hon-DUH!

AHAHAHAHA.....

[Rex]

Wes is the only real youngster in here, Jesda may only be 24, but he's an old man inside .

And I think the initial use of "hotrodding" in this thread was in reference to a driving style not modifications to a car.

Anywho ard, I hope your decision works out best for you whether it's letting her drive or finding a buyer. Good luck.

[hiQ45]

Don't know if this helps, but ardvarkus, I've been there (and still am). My son's been driving a '92Q for a year now, he's a senior in high school. Three months into driving, he rear ended a 3500. Not even a scratch on the Dodge, but $2000 cosmetic damage to the Q per the local rip-off body shop. The cosmetic damage is still there, the rest of the car is still pretty good, runs great.

I agree with everyone; the car is safe, I think my son is about as well protected as he can be in any car. Does he have too much power in his hands? Maybe, but so does everyone else to some degree. We trust his judgement for the most part. At least now he understands why he needs to leave enough space between him and the car in front of him.

Would we do it again? Yeah, I think so. He gets to drive a cool car. We get to work on a great project car (especially with all the help from you all at NICO!) THANKS!!!

[JedCoop]

... My son's been driving a '92Q for a year now, he's a senior in high school....

That is why I kept my '92 Q as well, I have a son who is now a college freshman. A lot really depends on the person, though. I trust my son (silly me). Based on accident records, a girl is more tame in a car than a guy, too, (we all know of exceptions).

But I also like the safety of the car - it has excellent brakes. predictable handling and lots of protection. The only downside is that the Q without TCS is lousy in snow and can be difficult in rain on hills. If you get snow, make sure you put a set of four real snow tires on knock-off wheels on the car.

To me the most frightening part of driving for a young driver is other occupants in the car. Kids get distracted, feel showy, or are challenged too easily. Maybe a luxury car will reduce that tendency - I doubt it.

I'd keep the car for your daughter.

[njcomputerman]

You are willing to get rid such I piece of art. I waited a long time to get my Q. most accident would only be a fender bender. I get my q45 up to 120 a lot. I doubt if I get in a wreck at 120 it would protect me. Yes it is a safe car but so is a Volvo.

[MattB]

You are willing to get rid such I piece of art. I waited a long time to get my Q. most accident would only be a fender bender. I get my q45 up to 120 a lot. I doubt if I get in a wreck at 120 it would protect me. Yes it is a safe car but so is a Volvo.

I don't think there are many cars out there that would protect against serious injury in a 120mph crash.

[louiegz]

Not the easiest car to drive for a first time driver, but then my first car was a 79 Impala and that was a real boat. The first day I drove the Impala by myself, I hit a parked car. See how well she drives it and make a judgement call, and dont expect the Q to be dent free anymore.

[Magnum PI]

I am doing the same with my 94Q. It is getting ready to be my 16 year old daughter's car. I know its safe, the power is there, but she has shown restraint as she is a 4.0 student. Plus, now she helps wash and wax the car.

[Fenvy]

from an economical perspective, civicfrom a safety perspective, q45

I personally would get my daughter, if I have one, a 5th gen or even 6th gen accord since I'm lead to belief that it is fairly safe, easy to maintain/fix ... etc

[Rex]

Actually, the (current, not newest) Civic is the highest safety rated small car.

Good point

[MattB]

I say get her an Infiniti G20. Safe (side airbags, ABS, and handling good enough to always be in control), front wheel drive, great looking, and easy to drive. She'll love it. My 1995 G20tA is my first car and I couldn't be happier with it.

[njcomputerman]

Yes I know few will protect at 120. Back to my first point, the car is a piece of art.

it is like taking a mint 55 chevy all orignal and tubbing the rear and putting a 2005 moter in it and tosiing the rest.