5 Tips on Picking Out Your Teen’s First Vehicle

Learning to drive is the first step in a teen’s journey to independence, and many teens’ first car will provide them with memories they’ll treasure for the rest of their lives…even if it’s a beat-up old Dodge Omni. There is a lot to consider when picking out the first car for your child. Plus, a vehicle can be a pricey burden; so if you’re in the market for one for your child, you might take the following factors into consideration.

1. Price

Price is largely dependent on your financial situation. For less than $1500, you can get a fully functioning automobile, such as an older Ford Focus, Dodge Neon, or even a Honda or Toyota with heavy miles. A brand new Nissan Versa costs as little as $13,000, while a well-equipped Scion xD costs $17,000. Both new and used cars offer advantages, but buying new from the showroom will cost you much more than buying used ones. Searching out Utah auto loans can help in this process. You also don’t want to get stuck with a car that’s going to break down frequently. Striking a balance between reliability and price is the ticket. 

2. Power

You and your youngster may disagree on the size of the engine required for a first car. The focus may be on performance rather than miles per gallon, especially if you have a son. When buying a car for your child, it’s crucial to match the vehicle’s performance to the driver’s skill and experience, which means that buying your teen a vehicle with a huge, powerful engine is a bad choice. A powerful car will not only raise your insurance costs considerably, but it will also tempt your young driver to test their limitations in an irresponsible manner.

3. Safety

This isn’t likely to be at the top of any adolescent’s priority list, but it should be on yours. Airbags can save lives in the case of a collision, while technology like ABS and traction control can assist prevent accidents from happening in the first place.

No amount of technology will ever be able to completely eliminate the dangers that come with unsafe driving. Make sure your kid understands the dangers they bring to themselves, their passengers, and other drivers so they may drive responsibly.

Consider going above and above the minimum requirements for driver’s education. These extra classes can not only cut your insurance premiums, but they can also provide your young driver with valuable experience and instruction that will make them a safer driver.

4. Insurance

Insurance charges vary depending on the type of vehicle. In general, family automobiles (such as the Toyota Camry or Ford Fusion) are less expensive to insure than very large and very small vehicles such as the Chevy Suburban or the Honda Fit. However, the only way to learn how much it costs to insure a specific car is to request a quote from your insurance provider.

Furthermore, some insurance firms provide discounts to drivers who agree to install a “black box” in their vehicles. These boxes track driving habits and calculate premiums based on the number of hard stops, rapid accelerations, late-night drives, and other factors. While these boxes do not precisely monitor your teen’s driving habits, the technology is available.

5. Maintenance Costs

Fuel and maintenance costs, in addition to the cost of insurance, will be a significant drain on your finances. The fact of driving is that there will always be unanticipated expenses – a new windshield wiper here, a flat tire there or new auto parts from TDot Performance – and it all adds up. You may save thousands of dollars by purchasing a car that has no big problems on the horizon.

Buying a first car for a teen is an exciting prospect. It can also be stressful for the parent. Planning ahead and making some choices prior to your search can help narrow the field and make finding that first ride a fun experience.