So let me get this straight.. you want to put a high school kid in a
car that doesn't give it's occupants a second chance at an accident.
In a car that will only survive the first millisecond of the encounter
with any SUV. You want to let a high school kid make decisions
regarding his life expectancy and safety. Guys (and Gals) I think that
theses cars are lots of fun but they are NOT the car to put an
inexperienced driver in. for those following the posts you will know
that I have been messing around with old SAABs for 30 years. I have
driven them in PRO-Rallies and even rolled a few. Those things are
built like tanks. I had planned to put my boys in them for their high
school cars RIGHT until I thought of oh.. air bags, ABS, Crumple
zones, active restraint systems, etc. I bought a '97 SAAB 9000, during
it's production run it was THE safest car on the road. Period. I
expect my son to trash it. I expect that it will not even be useful
for wheels or carpets before its' done but I DO expect him to have the
chance to try out another car on another day.
Sorry for the rant but Dad was a world class specialist in impact
acceleration, he performed the human studies that made modeling of
dummies possible. He was/is on the board of the Snell foundation (the
helmet folks), and I have seen how far a typical human neck can stretch
and I live by his word when I was trying to buy a nice, small, fuel
efficient car (These were the 70's after all).." You will spend all of
the money you save in fuel the first 10 minutes in the ER."
Buy a Spridget for someone who has some stick time and can take
advantage of the handling. Buy a Spridget for someone who has a full
understanding of it's dangers and joys. Do not buy a Spridget for a
kid who won't have a second chance to make a mistake.
Just my 2 cents..
Lester
On Apr 23, 2005, at 10:49 PM, MICHAEL CARPENTER wrote:
> Hi Kevin,
>
> There seems to be a nice side-curtain Mk II Sprite as well as a Mk I
> Midget on ebay by the same seller. They are supposedly rust-free and
> the prettiest of the box Sprites. They are relatively close to PA,
> being right on the southern border of WV.
>
> Mike C
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Valentine"
> <kevin@valentinephoto.net>
> To: "Spridgets" <spridgets@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2005 11:30 PM
> Subject: Spridget wanted
>
>
>> Hey All,
>>
>> My nephew (Ben) is a high school junior. He has attended all of our
>> Pa Rallies and has developed a profound interest in Spridgets.
>>
>> He has asked me to help him find a Spridget (driver or project) that
>> he could afford, (his funds are limited but he works as many hours as
>> he can and still keep his grades up to par).
>>
>> He currently drives a 4 speed (VW Beetle - family car) and has
>> demonstrated responsible driving. Personally, I find it refreshing
>> that a young man shows and interest in our vintage Spridgets when all
>> his friends are leaning towards the newer sub-compacts (and
>> sub-woofers). His parents are in agreement with his decision to find
>> a Spridget.
>>
>> So, if anyone on the list knows of an inexpensive Spridget (driver or
>> easy project) that is available, please get back to me off list. It
>> would be helpful if the car is located reasonably close to PA.
>>
>> Come on Listers, lets help this youngster get hooked Spridgets.
>>
>> Kevin V.
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