After your teen passes his or her driving test, you might find yourself inconvenienced by how often they ask to “borrow” your car. It might be time to consider purchasing a car your teen can call their very own.
Owning a car teaches teens responsibility, especially if you include them in the buying process and they will be helping with the payments.
Tips for Buying a Car for a Teen
Before you plunk down the money for buying a car for a teen, do your research first. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has plenty of information regarding crash test results on all the different models of cars. Look for cars with 5 star ratings, as these will be the safest options for your teen. You should also look at the reliability and quality ratings on a website like J.D. Power and Associates. A safer car will also help keep your insurance premiums lower, since the accident risk is decreased.
Consider the size of the car as well. Bigger is not always better! Avoid large SUVs or trucks, as these can be more difficult for new drivers to handle. Plus, they are at a greater risk of rollover because of their higher centers of gravity. Likewise, a very small car is not the safest option, either. They don’t provide as much protection as a larger car.
Safety Features to Consider
It’s probably somewhat doubtful that your teen is concerned about the safety features on a car. Teens are most likely looking for a cool stereo system or “extra” features like a sunroof or fancy rims. However, you know there are more important things to consider when buying a car for a teen for the first time.
The types of safety features available on a vehicle will vary, depending on whether you’re buying a new car or an older car for your teen. Many newer cars have crash-avoidance features and technology to help your teen avoid distracted driving. New cars are also required by law to have front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control.
It’s still possible to get some great safety features on an older vehicle, too! Make sure you’re looking for features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, an automatic transmission and daytime running lights. Don’t worry so much about the age of the car as long as it has the features to keep your teen safe behind the wheel.
No matter how many safety features the car has, it will only truly be as safe as its driver. This is why before your teen is handed the keys to a new car, you want to make sure he or she is a confident driver! DriveTeam offers some of the best teen driving classes to help teens feel confident and in control of those shiny new vehicles. Contact us for more information.