We were just talking about this in my house the other day. I'm 18 years old and graduated from HS last June, so I am fairly able to see what happens from the kid's standpoint. I myself had a GN for my first vehicle, but then again I also bought it myself. This being said, all the fears of speed and too many friends etc are really kinda pointless. No matter how fast the car is, the kid will speed. You all remember highschool don't you? My buddy had a neon, slowest thing on earth, but he drove way faster then I did most of the time, and I had the car able to do it better. I'm not saying I didn't race and speed, but so did everyone else in every other type of car or truck, its the highschool mentality. Then the point of too many friends or back seat or something? If they can't fit in his car, they will just take the other car that can fit, or worse try and squish until they do fit illegaly. And if they can't use the backseat, they will just find somewhere else to use.
This is why I've come to the conclusion my kid can have whatever car he wants, as long as he buys it and he gets only one chance with it. He screws up and its over for him. Figure since they are goin to do it all anyway might as well let your kid enjoy his years and have fond memories.