With the summer approaching your teenager or college-bound student may be asking you for a car. Selecting the right vehicle for your teen driver can sometimes become challenging, especially when their preferences can be quite different than your own. While they may want a car that is fast or cool-looking, you want to make sure the vehicle they’re driving is safe and reliable, not to mention affordable.
When buying a car for your teenager, it’s important to consider the following:
Safety:
According to AAA, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. It’s critical to choose a vehicle that has the latest safety features like anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, electronic stability control, adjustable/locking head restraints and airbags. These safety features are designed to help prevent crashes and minimize injury. For more information on buying a safe car, go to www.safercar.gov.
Safety doesn’t stop with the type of vehicle your teen will be driving. Teenagers can become easily distracted while driving. To learn how you can communicate safe driving to your teenager, visit the AAA Teen Driving Facebook page. They have a lot of great information and tips you can use to help your teenager develop safe driving habits.
Affordability:
There’s a lot to take into consideration within the affordability category. Insurance costs, repair issues, fuel and periodic maintenance will affect the affordability of a car. Research insurance costs and look for ways your teen can qualify for discounts. You may also want to visit websites to research used car costs so you don’t pay too much. AAA can provide pre-owned vehicle pricing information to help you in this area. You may also want to think twice about purchasing an older car and consider a certified pre-owned vehicle. This will cut down in the possibility of repair costs.
Reliability:
Finally, you want to know that the car your purchasing is reliable and won’t break down the first time your teen takes it out on the road. You can order the vehicle’s CarFax report. You should also see if there’s a warranty for the vehicle.
Making a good purchase decision involves a lot of research. The internet is a great place to start. We also recommend bringing it to Country Road Auto for a pre-purchase inspection. We’ll let you know if the vehicle you are considering is roadworthy, mechanically-sound, and equipped with operational safety components.