Are you thinking about buying a car for your teen? This is essentially a rite of passage for children and their parents alike once they are old enough to drive. This can be quite a complicated decision and it’s natural to worry that you have made the wrong choice here. So, let’s look at some of the key factors that you must keep in mind.
Should You Buy A Pre-Owned Vehicle?
First, you should make sure that you consider whether or not to buy a pre-owned car. The big benefit of buying a pre-owned car is that you can get a great vehicle at a fraction of the price. You could even buy your teen a higher-end model than they would be able to afford if you purchased one straight out of the factory.
However, there are issues that you need to skirt around when you buy a pre-owned vehicle. First, you need to make sure that there are no serious problems. There are a few red lights to check for here. For instance, you might find that a vehicle has had countless owners over a short period. If this is the case, then it does suggest that there is a serious or expensive problem with the car that the owners couldn’t fix.
Mileage can also be a telltale sign of something going on as well. For instance, you might find that a car has a mileage that is significantly less than about 10,000 a year. Anything less than this might be a cause for concern because there could be a reason why a driver is keeping the car off the road. The exception would be a convertible because this can be used purely as a summer car.
Another factor to watch out for would be the parts of the car that have been replaced. For instance, you might need to think about whether the pedals and the gear stick have been switched or upgraded. This suggests heavy use as does anything connected to increased levels of performance for the vehicle.
Options To Consider
There are numerous great options that you can consider for your teen’s first car. For instance, you might want to explore a Nissan Micra. These are well known for being easy to handle and are an affordable choice in a mart where things can get quite expensive. Something to be aware of is that even the new Micras don’t provide a lot of room but that might be okay for a car that your teen can just run around in.
Alternatively, you could choose something like a Volkswagen Golf or Polo. Both are popular choices amongst teens and your teen will likely be very satisfied with this choice. A big benefit of this car is that they are often cheap to ensure – more on this further down – and they are easy to maintain. You won’t have to worry about being hit by a massive bill each year when you take the car to be serviced if you opt for this choice.
It’s important that you don’t go overboard in terms of power when buying a car for your teen. Do note that a lot of people tend to crash within their first year on the road. Part of the reason for that might be because they are simply harnessing far too much power straight out the gate. A Mitsubishi Colt is a great way to avoid this issue while ensuring that your teen does have a reliable car.
Safety First
It is worth putting safety features first when you choose a car for your teen. You should always make sure that you are checking the safety rating that the car has been awarded on the market. It’s also worth checking out the latest safety features that can be included in vehicles like this. For instance, you might want to think about getting a car for your teen with driver-assist technology. While this is going to be more expensive, it can ensure that they are safer on the road. The car will help ensure that they are making the right decisions with their driving behavior and not falling into any bad habits.
You could also opt to buy a larger car if you have the cash. Generally speaking, larger cars will be safer and are designed to protect both the driver and the passenger more than a smaller vehicle in the event of a collision.
The Cost
Of course, you will likely be eager to take steps to keep the cost down when buying a car for your teen. There are a few ways to do this. For instance, you should look at the MPG. This is going to provide you with an accurate way to predict how much the car is going to cost in fuel. Anything over 50MPG is a great starting point although you might even want to opt for a hybrid. While a little more costly, they are going to save you money in the long run.
You should also look at the insurance costs. It’s important to check the cost of insurance before committing to the purchase of a vehicle. Lots of things can impact the insurance including the color of the car. Believe it or not, red cars are often more expensive to ensure because they are connected to the concept of speed. As such, you need to tread carefully here. The good news is that cheap car insurance for young drivers is available from certain companies.
You should also make sure that you’re not overspending on the initial vehicle purchase. Regardless of whether you are buying the car new or second-hand, you should be ready for a haggle and make sure you go with your team when it’s time to put the money on the table.
We hope this helps you choose the right car for your teen. This is always going to be an important decision and you shouldn’t take it lightly. After all, the right car will keep them safe on the road while cutting the costs down to size and provide you with the peace of mind that you need when they are out and about without you.
