My youngest daughter was very responsible in High School. National Honor Roll, scholarships when she was a Jr., etc. For her 17th birthday, I found a nice, clean '98 GT triple black 'vert. Her mother wouldn't let me give it to her until summer break so she had at wait a few months while I made sure everything worked. Not a lot of HP, ~200 I think, but enough to give her some fun. She's had it for over 3 years now and loves the car, loves taking care of it and it runs better now than when I gave it to her. Do what you think is right according to your son's abilities and trust. Good luck with it.