Yeah, so long as you maintain them right, they are great cars. Have known people who have complained about them, but they are the sort of people who thrashed it and didn't maintain it right (this was a turbo model though, which the above one isn't), but my old 33 GTST copped a hiding most weekends and never skipped a beat, I just maintained it right and gave it decent quality oils and filters. Unless he neglects it, the worst your son is possibly going to do is thrash the auto box out, but if he's sensible as he should be if he's trying to get into a respectable government job then he shouldn't have any problems.
Just be prepared to give it a good service when he gets it, and service it every 3 months / 5,000km's, don't skimp on oil and filters, and it'll be a great car.