My daughter is 16, she’ll be 17 in less than 2 months. I have refused to let her get her driver’s license until I feel she is ready. We’ve had a few “discussions” about it and personally, I don’t care whether her friends drive, her boyfriend drives or she has a car. She’ll get her license and car when I say she can get it.

It’s not about me, that I’m the king (well, yes, I am...lol) but having been in the bodyshop business for over 25 years, I see cars driven by first time drivers on a daily basis.

One of my really good friends bought both his daughters (which are my daughter’s age) a 2 year old mercedes and a 2 year old mustang. They’ve both had the car for about 7-8 months. (AND THEY’VE BOTH HAD THEIR CARS IN MY SHOP AT LEAST TWICE EACH.....the mustang in in my shop RIGHT NOW)

I’m a driver kind of guy which is why I track the car so much, I love being one with the car and feeling the car as an extension of me on the track... and that is the reason why the last prerequisite for her to get her license is to take one of those teen driving schools at the track.

Anyway, back to the original post. Having totaled my mini at 120 mph at the track, I know how these cars are built, I’ve had many minis in my shop over the years and they are built well and extremely safe.

My concern is blockage by the top when it’s down. I’ve owned 2 cabrios and know that when the top is down, it does create a rather large blind spot. As an experienced driver, I just got used to it and it didn’t matter.

Do you think that may create too much of a problem for a first time driver?

Thoughts, opinions?

Thanks,

Mark

 

show her how to properly set the rear and side mirrors so it gives you a full 180 degree view with no blind spot. Problem solved.

 

How do you set yours? I could use a little info thanks.

 

If you do a search on the forum, it will tell you the perfect setting. There is actually a “trick” to it that makes it easier.

Having said that... it would help with an experienced driver but for the unexperienced (or not as experienced in her case) the top does present a problem.


Mark

 

I don't know about that. I wish someone would have shown me how to set the mirrors like that when I first learned how to drive.

 

Look at it from a liability stand point for a first time driver. A blind spot already puts her at a disadvantage. I would say if she had a couple of years behind the wheel, perhaps it would be ok.

As much as I would like to agree with MGM above, adjusting mirrors for teens seem to be the last of their worries. (I have a 19 y/o daughter and when she drives, it's about windows down, radio on and getting to where see needs to be)

How about a MC hardtop? solid, basic, safe and still gives her a fun car to drive.

 

Here are a couple of links that explain the procedure.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/mirrors/

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/4234574

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/owner_ce.../1232737498878



After driving for over 20 years with my mirrors set the "old" way, it took me about a week or so to get used to this way of setting them but I can honestly say that it works 10000% better and I will never go back to the traditional way. It has effectively eliminated the usual blind spot that's even worse in a cabrio.

 

I’ve been searching this morning and in general, you’re gonna pay 12-16K for first gen convertible.

I’m sorry but I’m not spending that kind of money for my daughter’s first car. I started of with a 1971 POS Pinto. I want something safe and reliable from my standpoint and a convertible for her.

Guess I need to look at something else.

The search continues....


Mark

 

That's why I wish it would have been taught to me when I was learning how to drive. If you learn how to set your mirrors properly when you learn how to drive, it becomes second nature and not something you ever have to think about.

 

It could be that I'm just used to it but I see better with the top down.

I didn't get my license till I was 17 and I survived. I actually didn't get one because I figured there was no way I was getting a car. But back to your post...I think the best way to learn is by doing...It has the parking distance sensors which will be a big help and I think teaching her to set the mirrors and to actually look when changing lanes will really do the trick. Many of my near misses could have been avoided if I had been taught those things. You're in a good position in that you can really teach her to drive. I learned from one of those schools and on the last day I was so frustrated with the teacher that I cried and then when I got home instead of telling my mom how bad it went they gave me my license.

Finally, no matter what car she gets it helps if she's having to work towards it. I know for me I worked all summer and saved up $2k towards my 1st car and it's true when they say you value something more because you had to put your own money into it.

 

having driven the Cabrio for 6 years as a daily driver... top down is way easier than top up. Even with the mirrors positioned properly, there are real hazards and unavoidable blindspots when driving with the top up.

Perfect example... directional mall parking. I'm sure as a teenager, she'll be at a mall. Backing out is always a hazard with the top up esp if you pulled into the spot going right instead of left. Maybe if you installed a rear-view camera it might help.

For a 1st-time driver, I wouldn't recommend a Cabrio.

 

I agree about backing out of parking spaces. Mirrors or no mirrors, it's an exercise in faith!

 

I, a 22 year old dude with a newtome 05 6pd S convertible and over 5 years behind the wheel think its a generally better car than most in a lot of ways no matter the driver. Regarding the blind-spots the roll bars are bad alone so its unavoidable in both top up and down. That said I would tell someone else simply "It's a good idea to always know where people are around you all the time and you shouuuld be fine." If telling someone that the car demands it of them(basically but not really 007 awareness) and they can't do it then learning the hard way MIGHT be the way...

On controlling lives, that has the risk of alienation(but hey then its the kings car right?). I wanted this car waaay more than a corolla.

No hate, just sayin...

 

King Markus,

Not having driven a convertible MINI, I can't speak to the sightlines specifically, but I do think it's more difficult to see out the back with the top down. More importantly though, I've found being in a convertible much more of a distraction for the driver and passenger(s). There's so much more to see and and be seen in. Lot easier for her friends to see her in the MINI. "Look at me everyone in my new soft-top". Personally I would opt for the hardtop. Either way, it'll be "Long live the King".

 

Speaking as a MINI cabrio owner and a parent...

An experienced driver will learn to adjust to the blind spots. But for a teenager's very first car? IMO, not a good idea.

Orangecrush, you said you've owned cabrios, but were any of them MINIs? You're concerned about top down visibility but in the MINI cabrio it is an even bigger issue with top up. Merging or changing lanes to the right requires special care even with mirrors adjusted, because the right side blind spot is so vast with the top up. Not to mention backing out of a parking space while next to a minivan. A new driver can concentrate more on learning to handle a car and driving in traffic without this additional complication.

 

Yes, both of my cabrios I was referring to were minis. Having said that, I completely forgot how bad the visibility is with the top up.... good point.

I think you’re spot on about an “add’l complication”.

Thanks,

Mark