Tips on Shopping for Your Teen’s First Car

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If you were a teen looking for a new car, you’d likely want something loud, fast,
and flashy. Most teens are trying to impress their peers, and this is exactly the attitude
that gets them into trouble behind the wheel. As a parent it is your job to temper your
teen’s desire to act in a foolhardy manner and it starts with the car you allow him to
drive. Although you’re probably fine with putting him behind the wheel of your old-school
minivan, rife with safety features, the truth is that you probably need that car. As a
result, you might be looking at getting your teen driver his own sets of wheels. So here
are just a few tips to help you go about in in the right way.

  1. New vs. used. There are very few cases in which a teen driver should get a
    brand new car. The major exceptions would be advanced safety features, alternative
    fuel options, and hands-free technology, all of which are more readily available on newer
    vehicles. Still, you could look at certified pre-owned options that are only a year or two
    old. The idea here is that your teen is likely to ruin a first car, not only with accidents,
    but from the pure wear and tear that a new driver will heap on his vehicle as he hones
    his driving skills. This isn’t to say that you should cheap out on a car that barely runs,
    but considering how much money you stand to lose, it doesn’t make sense to buy new in
    most cases.
  2. Consider associated costs. Another thing to think about is the additional costs
    that come with buying a car. New cars will have higher registration fees and insurance
    premiums (especially since you have to hold a full coverage policy while paying a loan),
    while used cars may include more maintenance. This is one great reason to check out
    certified pre-owned vehicles; their sticker prices are greatly reduced and most come with
    a partial or even a full warranty.
  3. Check consumer reports. Safety is of the utmost importance when shopping
    for a car for your teen considering the increased likelihood that he will experience an
    automobile accident; according to the CDC, drivers in the 15-20 demographic are four
    times more likely than other age groups to be involved in a crash. Even if your teen is
    responsible and trustworthy, you’ll feel better knowing that the vehicle he’s driving is one
    of the safest on the road.
  4. Look for extra tech. There are now cars that can control speed based on the
    key in the ignition (Fords that feature the MyKey system) and report when drivers are
    exceeding speed limits, curfews, or geographic boundaries (Hyundais with the Blue Link
    system). But many vehicles also come with hands-free hookups that alleviate the need
    to touch a phone for the purposes of talking and texting. It’s not a bad idea to consider
    these factors when searching for a car for your teen.
  5. Make him work for it. While you might be keen to present your 16-year-old with
    a box containing a car key, you really aren’t doing him any favors by treating this weighty
    responsibility like nothing more than an upgraded Tonka truck. A car represents a
    teen’s first steps into the independence and responsibility of adulthood, so handing over
    the keys to the kingdom, so to speak, deemphasizes the meaning inherent in driving.
    By making your teen get a job to pay for a portion of the vehicle expenses, do the
    legwork to find comparison vehicle insurance online, and stick to a budget,
    you’re allowing him to feel a sense of pride in what he has earned, even if it’s nothing
    more than an old clunker, and you’re imparting valuable lessons that will help him to
    function in the world when he leaves your care. Instead of just a car, give your teen the
    skills and confidence to be independent; this is a far better gift than four wheels.

Comments

  1. We have too many kids for them to have their own cars when they reach driving age. But, we do require those that are there to help pay for their insurance. We also have them start putting away money to save up for when they are ready to own their own vehicle. We will match whatever they want to spend.

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