4 Things To Consider When Buying A Car For Your Teen
Being a parent is full of new and exciting experiences that can be as enjoyable as they can be nerve-wrecking. Watching your child grow from a toddler to a teen may feel surreal, but it’s a reality you’ll face soon if you haven’t already. Once your teen has turned 16, their world will revolve around their newfound eligibility to drive a car. With a license in hand, they’ll be itching to get their hands on their first car. That can only mean that it’s time for the car talk.
In addition to laying down some strict ground rules and expectations, you and your teen will likely want to work together during the car-buying process—and giving them some say in it is sure to light up their eyes with excitement. Because every parent worries about their teenager driving, it’s important to narrow down your search to better ensure both you and your teen can feel confident about the car they end up with. Whether it’s driving themselves to school or work, you both deserve that peace of mind.
Take the time to really research and pin down the perfect car for your teen to drive. With these 4 considerations in mind, you’ll both be able to shop with confidence.
1. Safety features
Putting your child into a mobile metal box that can move at speeds over 100 mph can be an incredibly intimidating and fearful thought—that’s why the most important element to consider during the car-buying process are the safety features.
Fortunately, today’s cars are safer than ever, offering a slew of high-tech safety features and well-constructed builds that are better equipped to protect passengers in the event of a car accident. In fact, you can inspect every vehicle’s safety features and ratings by checking out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) website. Just enter the make, model, and year, and you’ve got a list of all the specs you’ll need. Be sure to look at crash-test ratings of the cars on your list too—the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers in-depth ratings that will give you the best insight possible.
When it comes to the test-drive, stay on the lookout for these additional integrated safety features most used cars come with, including:
● Rear-view back-up cameras
● Blind-spot and lane assist
● Automatic braking
● Electronic stability control
2. Buy pre-owned
Buying a car for your teen shouldn’t launch your bank accounts into financial crisis. Buying a used car for your teenager is a far better idea than buying a brand new vehicle as statistics show that teens between the ages of 16-19 are nearly three times more likely than drivers aged 20 and older to be involved in a crash. Dealing with damages to a new car can be exponentially more expensive than dealing with damages to a used vehicle, so it’s an all-around better investment to opt for a pre-owned car.
Find a car dealership you can trust, learn how to negotiate, and seal the deal!
3. Distraction factors
Distracted driving kills—and if you’re at all interested in your teen erring on the side of safety, opt for a car that has minimal distraction factors. Young drivers are especially prone to distracted driving, so choosing a vehicle that forgoes exciting high-tech features like a touch screen interface or convertible elements can reduce the risk factor.
A car with Bluetooth capabilities and hands-free capabilities will ensure that your teen driver is able to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road while switching up their playlist. Or you can even kick it old-school by opting for an older vehicle that doesn’t have any fancy frills outside of a simple car radio.
4. Extra features
If you have your sights set on getting your teen a more modern car, it’s well worth looking into what types of upgrades will matter most. Outside of mere entertainment, there are a number of built-in features that can enhance the car’s overall experience.
Some upgrades to look for include:
● Bluetooth connectivity
● Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
● Power outlets
Enter the car-buying process with confidence! With these four key considerations at the forefront of your mind, your teen will be able to drive you home in a car that’s safe and secure.