When I was 22 I had a mid-engine Porsche 914 with no back seat at all. I once had five in the car when I made a trip to the beverage store, and I had the top on.
I never wrecked it or had an accident.
My daughter had their home exterior damaged by a 16 year old with a new BMW in similar circumstances. The kid was relatively unhurt but did not have enough insurance for the power pole damage and home damage he caused and the parents just turned their back on the liability for their purchase/gift.
When I was 16 I drove a Rambler with a 3 on the tree. I am not sure of the HP, but it seems to me it wasn’t much over about 60 HP..