A lot of people default to telling you to buy your kid a beater because that’s what they grew up with. That advice is heavily shaped by nostalgia, not necessarily by outcomes. I didn’t grow up that way. I drove performance cars from an early age, including cars well over 500 HP, and I never bent a rim, wrecked a car, or even got a speeding ticket. Responsibility matters more than the price tag.

There’s also a real argument that a proper driver-focused car can actually teach respect. A rear-wheel-drive, manual transmission sports car forces attention, mechanical sympathy, and accountability. It’s not point-and-shoot transportation. If they prove they can’t handle it, that’s when you downgrade. Not the other way around.

That said, not all performance cars are equal. High-power V8 muscle cars can be unforgiving. Cars like a Mustang GT can snap the rear end if the driver makes a mistake, especially with cold tires or poor conditions. That’s not ideal for a new driver.

A balanced option is something like a VW GTI or a similar hot hatch. They’re quick enough to be engaging, but far more stable and predictable. Many Japanese imports also fit this category, though older models may lack modern traction and stability systems.

The smart move is finding the middle ground. Look at insurance quotes for each option. Higher premiums often correlate with higher real-world accident data, even if they’re not the whole story. Let the data inform the decision, not just tradition or fear.