The first time they get behind the wheel is the first time your heart is in your mouth. With a new license comes huge responsibility. The child you have put behind the wheel of the car you choose is the child you have nurtured since the beginning and you want them to be safe.
We want the car our teens are driving to wrap them up like a big security blanket and we want all the best. Finding a good car for a teen takes time, effort, patience and a lot of budgeting, right?
Decisions like color really are not the driving factor when the car’s safety is the issue on the line. Let’s take a look at 3 aspects to consider when buying a teen a car.
3 Aspects To Consider When Buying A Teen A Car
They have their license and your teen is ready to drive, but now you have the daunting task of buying your teen a car (eye roll). Are you ready for the battleground between budget and features?
Have you considered what YOU want the car to come equipped with and how old the car can be?
Are you buying new or used? Are you financing, or paying it straight out? Get ready for the fun as you head out to shop for your teen’s new to the car!
My girlfriend’s son was involved in an accident, and had it not been for the Subaru they provided for him, he would not have survived.
When I considered writing this article, I thought about her son’s accident and the incredible embodiment of Subaru.
So, as I write this today, I am referencing a Subaru of any kind for your consideration. I know the value of this vehicle and the accident that it shielded him from. Here are my thoughts.
BUDGET
Budget is everything when you shop for new cars. You will certainly find that a price range will keep you with older cars, that offer less standard safety options and you really need to do your homework.
This is not about Car Facts this is about understanding your bottom line, the amount that your teen will be paying into and how reliable the vehicle will be.
Note that it is important to consider the budget but also the rigidity of a car and the safety that it offers.
Bottom line, a budget will affect you every step of the way when buying your teen a car, so lay out the dollar signs before you head to the dealership and place as much as you can into a newer model vehicle.
FEATURES – It’s Not The Features, It’s the Car
Features are the least of the concern when buying a teen a car. This has nothing to do with the safety features, this means, all the add-ons from moon roofs to crushing stereo, steer clear of feature shopping unless it pertains to safety.
Features are nice, but not mandatory so don’t start with features.
Remember the more ‘feature’ rich a vehicle is, the more distractions in the vehicle, and focus is the name of the game for teen drivers.
Invest in a solid vehicle, like a Subaru so your child can continue on their journies in a reliable and safe vehicle.
SAFETY
Remember previously reading budget is everything? Hopefully, you will consider investing in as many safety features as you can on the teen’s new vehicle.
Consider forward-collision warning a big bonus if you can get it into your budget and in the car, you are choosing.
Other safety items that your budget should buy into are Antilock brakes and electronic stability control, all life-saving items on a car and safety first!
Take a look at Kelley Blue Book for the best overall rating and Consumer Reports to see the overall ratings of the vehicle.
You will see that Subaru was the 2016 best overall brand and offers the best resale value, while in Consumer Reports learn that Subaru achieved marks of 84/85 overall on the Subaru Forester.
Want more information? Refer to Kelley Blue Book for this Best Safety Rated Crossover for a 2015 Subaru Outback.
After all, chances are you are buying used, so look at the older “best of ratings” not the new vehicles.
The color is not as important as safety, a moonroof is good for looking out of but not for focusing on the road.
Extra passenger seating means more kids in the car, and less focus on the road.
Seek a car with a focus on safety from collision warning sensors to antilock braking systems.
Find a vehicle that has outstanding marks from Consumer Reports and Kelley Bluebook and moves from there.
The purchase of a vehicle for your teen needs to carefully consider these 3 aspects when buying them a car.