Younger drivers always desire something quick, attractive, and cheap. However, some cars don't even have basic safety features, or they are severely compromised for daily driving. Most parents would be crazy to get a teen driver a vehicle with lots of power and a touchy throttle.
Also, some cars are difficult to control when accelerating and are better left to expert drivers. Visibility is another concern that new drivers will have difficulty adapting to. All-in-all, most sports cars shouldn't be a teen driver's first car.
10 Dodge Viper
Perhaps the most obvious choice of a sports car that no inexperienced driver should have is the Viper. Just by looking at the vehicle, it's clear why that's the case. It's very low to the ground, has a long hood with a massive engine up front, and its muscular look is telling of its capability.
It is a tough car to drive at the limits and is notorious for getting away from drivers. It also doesn't have traction control or side airbags, so there's not much forgiveness for mistakes. 500 horsepower at the rear wheels is definitely dangerous territory for new drivers.
9 Chevrolet Corvette
The Corvette is another option that has some of the traits of the Viper. They are both direct competitors with a similar configuration and have the same audience: experienced drivers looking for a track weapon to master. However, it has one of the highest fatal accident rates of any vehicle.
While generations like the C6 are slightly more livable than previous generations, the Corvette is still a powerful sports car. It's easier to drive than a few other options but can get away from you if you floor it. It is quite dangerous for new drivers to play with, especially if they pick the wrong area or time to do it, such as wet conditions or on very narrow roads.
8 Toyota MR2 Turbo
The Toyota MR2 is an underrated and sometimes forgotten sports car. They sell for fairly cheap, which is crazy, considering its history and its mid-engined configuration. It's one of the best sports cars that Toyota made. Granted, most inexperienced drivers are unlikely to stumble across this vehicle, but it's important to understand why it's forgotten.
The SW20 MR2 has an issue with "snap oversteer," making the vehicle spin out of control. In an older vehicle with very few safety features, this is a terrible thing. Regardless of experience, for anyone that's looking for a cheap project car or a weekend toy, sensible driving goes a long way.
7 Dodge Challenger R/T
The Challenger is an exciting car, and some might frown upon it being called a sports car because of its muscle car categorization. Its rear-wheel-drive configuration, V8 powertrain, and performance intentions can be loosely considered a sports car.
The R/T trim comes equipped with a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that is a lot of power for a new inexperienced driver. Some people may scoff since other trims really bring the Challenger alive, like the Scat Pack, Hellcat, and Hellcat Redeye, but the R/T still has plenty of grunt. Rear-wheel-drive can also be challenging for inexperienced drivers if they get carried away.
6 Mustang GT
The Mustang is one of the most popular sports cars available. A vehicle that began as more of a muscle car, the Mustang slowly shifted into sports car territory with the S197 platform from 2005 to 2014. However, with the 5.0-liter V8, it's a bit challenging to get used to.
The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 is a favorite among enthusiasts for its exhaust note and satisfying power. For new drivers, it would be difficult to control 412 horsepower in adverse conditions. The Mustang, like most sports cars, has suboptimal visibility, though not terrible. While it's better than most sports cars, it's not great for inexperienced drivers.
5 Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro is a handsome sports car, and the fifth generation is a great option in terms of value. However, its powerful engine and capable handling can be a bit deceptive at times. Like the Corvette, It has a high fatal accident rate.
The powerful V8 in the Camaro definitely makes it difficult to control, but where the Camaro really gets hit is its visibility. Rearward visibility is astonishingly poor, and its low slung profile makes it very difficult to see out of even in the front. When considering the totality of factors, inexperienced drivers should avoid it like the plague.
4 Mazda Miata
The Mazda Miata is a competent sports car available in a variety of options. It makes sense to some as a slower vehicle, an easy-to-drive manual transmission, and a reliable platform. However, there are some self-explanatory reasons why it is not for inexperienced drivers.
The tiny size and low ride height make it puny compared to most all other cars on the road. Regardless of how skilled the driver is, there is still a risk, especially in a two-car accident. Earlier Miatas also don't have the best safety compared to more modern options.
3 Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z is known for a decent amount of characteristics. It's an old-school car with quick acceleration, good handling, and generally solid performance. However, the newer car you get, the more it disappoints, as it remains largely unchanged for the past few years.
The 370Z is fairly quick like most sports cars, with a 0-60 time in the five-second range. That's not terribly fast, but a young driver would definitely love to drive it rashly. More importantly, it's not highly rated in terms of safety. It does not have most of the modern safety features, and it has the 7th highest accident rate. Overall, it's best for experienced drivers who know what they're getting.
2 Honda S2000
The S2000 is the definition and best representation of a driver's car, and it's one of Honda's best models. It's analog and minimalist, as it doesn't have many creature comforts in an effort to connect you with the driving experience. It's a unique approach meant for a specific audience.
Besides the usual demerits of a sports car, like having a lower ride height and being smaller in size, it's not as unsafe as other sports cars. However, it takes a lot to master the vehicle's driving capability, and an inexperienced driver likely wouldn't be able to safely take the car to its limits. It's meant for serious drivers.
1 Saturn Sky Redline
The Saturn Sky is an attractive roadster from an interesting time in General Motors' history. The Redline trim is fairly powerful, featuring a turbocharged engine in a very lightweight chassis. It's also easy to find for very cheap.
While it's not a breathtakingly fast car with a lot of muscle under the hood, it's a driver's car that requires some coordination. The Sky is not different from other sports cars with a low slung profile, rear-wheel-drive, and not much side protection. It's not terribly hard to drive, but it's not the best option for newer drivers.