I had two choices (with probably not enough experience overall), 1973 Mazda RX-2 four speed or '69 Fury III four door 383/727. Ok, big car or manual transmission? I chose the big car...

I took a completely different approach with my own sons than my parents did. When my sons had their permits they drove EVERYWHERE we went, in town and road trips. California had just changed the law and in addition to drivers ed/training they also had to have 50 hours with a parent/guardian before getting their license. They also got their permits at 15, not 15-1/2 (the law had changed for a very short time when they were teens). They had their 50 hours within a couple of months. My youngest drove to Van Nuys for one of the flings (not sure which car, though). They learned stick in the 440/18-spline Dart. They drove everything we had. They also built their first cars...