should a 21 year old be driving a new m3?

Depends on the driver. As their first car? No. Otherwise, I say more power to them. I got **** for being 23 and having a 3 year old XJ. Its almost been 5 years now, I've managed to grow a few whiskers (difficult) and thankfully I don't get any more ****.

Sunny

 

I was 22 when my parents bought me one. It was my third car. I had no problems.

 

If he is a good and responsible kid, I don't see the problem.

Back in '94 when the Supra just came out in the US, I was driving it to college. I was 20 at that time. I then moved on to the 993 3 years later. Yes, all my parent's money...he he.

 

Are you one of those over-achieving Asian kids ;-) If yes, then there is no problem. Me I am a bit of a dunce and still had nice cars.

 

I had a new C5 Vette when I was 18, and looking back on it I don't think I would have given it to me knowing my habits at the time.

I think its completely situational. I wasn't mature driving-wise for it at the time and did some crazy things in it. I survived, luckily, and don't think it was the hottest idea for me to have had it at that time.

Yet there are others who can handle the temptations to drive like a nut-job better. I just wasn't one of them! But man do I have some great memories

 

There really are many spoiled kids here...
I am 16 years old, and bought a BMW 318i 1986 model some months ago. In Norway we get our licence when we turn 18.
I am going to turbocharge the M10 engine, really hope I will stay alive when I'm going to drive it.

 

It depends, I was 18 when I bought my first car and it was an '87 944 S, of course it only cost $8500 and I performed as much of the work as I could.

I was 22 when I bought my 2002 Porsche Boxster new...financially a stupid move but overall it was a good lesson and I really really enjoy the car. But no way am I going back to being a "Gold Collar", even if I make good money.

 

If he buys it with his own money that he earned I don't see anything wrong with it. Now if mommy and daddy buy it for him...hmmmm, maybe he should get a Honda or Toyota.
I bought a 2 year old NSX when I was 19 and am now 21 and looking into adding either a Diablo 6.0 or Gallardo, so I may be a lil biased.
Just be careful and expect high insurance and **** from cops and jellious b@stards.

 

there are exceptions to every rule but... 9 times out of 10, I say no.

Most 21-year olds lack both the requisite skill set as well as the discipline necessary to safely drive a car with the capabilities of the current M3 (at least here in the states where our requirements for getting a drivers license are an absolute joke).

 

It all depends on the skills of the kid in question. I will [try to] instill effective driving skills in my son so I can feel comfortable enough to give him a car like that.

It would make me very happy.

 

I'm going to try and make my kids accept sedans as the cars I help them buy, for safety and humility reasons. Maybe a truck or SUV if they wanted.

In short, after 18 I wouldn't stop them from buying themselves a sportscar with their own money, but I wouldn't help them buy one. I'll have to write up a good contract so that they can't trade in the car for a sportscar. My friend told me of a kid he knew who's parents got him an SUV and he drove it to the dealer and traded it in for a sportscar, I think it was a Corvette.

 

There it is.

And, contrary to most situations, not related to younger kids and fast cars, I do believe in the saying "if you have to ask...".

 

If the 21 year old in question belonged in an M3, he or she would probably be able to figure it out on their own.

 

Sure, if the kid is capable of driving the car in a safe and curdious matter then why not. But he should have to pay for atleast some of the car, or all the matience, or all the insurance.

 

At 22 your parents are still buying your cars for you? I'm sorry, but that's a little rediculous if you ask me.

 

Well, now I am a few years older and a bigshot director of a company. I can now buy my own cars. Nyah, Nyah!!! Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful.

 

I bought mine when I was 21. 4 years ago. Never had
a speeding ticket or a wreck in it yet.

I think it has alot to do with the maturity level of the driver.
Lots of idiot 35 year old out there driving overpowered
cars and making asses of themselves.

 

A true enthusiast wouldnt get a bloated E46, theyd get an E30 and do it out to sport evo spec, thats a real mans car.

 

It's the Gold-Collar Generation man. Haven't you heard.

Anyways, it will suck when the Boomers dry up in funds, and kids will have to start working towards things, and by that happens.

 

I agree with most people here in saying that it depends on the driver. Im 21 and I can honestly say a car like that would not be a problem for me. I like to think im responsible enough to own a car like that. I also think that some of my younger friends (some, NOT all) who are 18-20 would also be fine with a car like that. One of my good friends got a new camaro SS with a 325hp LS1 when he was 16. There is no way I would let my 16 yr old son have a 325hp rwd car like that. Its definately not as easy to drive fast as the M3 and it can really bite you if you make a mistake (mainly because of it's ****ty suspension and complete lack of steering feel). Hes 23 now and still has that car.

 

When I was 16 I drove a '94 Dodge Dakota, 6 months after I got my license I bought myself a '03 Cavalier. Last September my parents and I split a '04 M3 and so far I am ticketless and accident-free (I'm 19 now). Granted I think I only ever did one really stupid thing since I've been driving (had 2 friends in the back of the truck for a short jaunt) I will still put the pedal to the floor and cruise at 160km/hr on the way home. Is it wreckless?? I don't know, the roads are usually pretty quiet and in the city with traffic I drive much more carefully. I think this is really a matter of the person's maturity and how responsible they have been in the past.

 

If you didn't get into an accident then it's totally "wreckless."

 

Depends on the driver skill AND maturity of the 21 year old. It's not just the ability to control the car, but the ability to control one's self.

 

m3 at 21 is no big deal. It's a nice, safe car and it's not totally outrageous price-wise. I drove an nsx at 21 and then a Porsche turbo.