If your teen is like ours, getting a driver's license is considered carte blanche for being able to drive whenever they want, having their own car and/or expecting you to pay for gas and upkeep. Of course, a teenager's perception of reality and actual reality are two different things. But helping the newest - and youngest - driver in your family get a good used car is not a bad idea, and in fact can help teach a lot of lessons, particularly in terms of understanding responsibilities that come along with vehicle ownership.
One of the advantages of helping your teen buy their first car is that you get to have some influence in the kind of car being purchased. Consumer Reports urges parents to make a vehicle's safety features - and its safety track record - a priority over any other factors. That's one big reason it's a good idea to look for a newer used car - one that has basic driver assist features beyond standard front airbags, like electronic stability control (ESC) and curtain airbags. As of 2012, in fact, all care are equipped with ESC, so that should help narrow your choices.
You'll also want to check crash results on any car you're seriously considering. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) both have extensive crash-test data and ratings on most major vehicle makes and models.
Speaking of makes and models, what type of vehicle is best-suited for a young driver? Contrary to popular wisdom, Consumer Reports cautions against buying a large pickup truck or SUV for a teenager because they're much more prone to rollovers at the hands of inexperienced drivers. And while sports cars hold great appeal for teens, they're more likely to be driven fast and also are much more expensive to insure. Instead, opt for a boring old sedan or hatchback or a small crossover - especially ones that have all-wheel drive. That helps with traction and control on wet surfaces and around corners.
Lewisville Autoplex has a great selection of pre-owned vehicles from all major automakers, and our sales professionals are ready to help you narrow down your choices and compare models. Stop by our Lewisville, TX showroom today, or give us a call at (888) 868-2208 to inquire about our current specials or set up some time for you and your teenager to come in and test drive some automobiles.
