Oh, the dreaded teenage years, especially when they become young drivers. It is a bittersweet time for most parents when their children reach the age they are old enough to get a driver’s license. Sure, the insurance is going to go up a bit, but the real concern is for their safety. No matter what your family budget is, you can find a safe and reliable car for your new teen driver.
Preowned Is a Great Option
If your budget permits something brand new, then you should purchase a new vehicle. You get the absolute latest technologies that include safety features and improved fuel economy. However, preowned can be an incredible value. Many preowned vehicles are still under a manufacturer’s warranty. Leased vehicles can have low mileage and are often very well cared for. Demonstrator vehicles that have been driven by sales personnel are another option. You may find the perfect automobile that was a trade-in for something new. Every make and model is available as preowned vehicles. The nice thing is that you can get safety and reliability along with long-term financing on preowned vehicles that will fit your teen driver budget.
Buy From an Automotive Group
Smaller dealers are often limited in the vehicle brand names they offer. You would have to really shop around to see what you can find among the different brand manufacturers and models. Consider an automotive group that offers new and preowned vehicles from all of the top manufacturers. For example, Young Automotive Group offers Chevy, Buick, GMC, Dodge, Ford, Kia, Toyota, Jeep, Subaru, Honda and Mazda. You can test drive models from several manufacturers to make a solid informed decision on the car you want for your teen driver.
Consider AWD or 4WD
It snows here in Utah, but there is a wide variance in quantity. For example, Salt Lake City can get a few feet per year, but the Cottonwood Canyons area is one of the snowiest places in the world where Alta gets about 46 feet of snow every year. Even one small snowfall can be an extreme road hazard, especially for inexperienced teen drivers. Purchasing an all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle is a wise choice anywhere it snows. Though you may only need the extra traction a few days per year, you will have more peace of mind knowing your teen driver has it if they get caught out in the snow. Also, modern all-wheel drive and automatically switching four-wheel drive systems can provide much needed extra traction on any slippery surface from rain-soaked roads to gravel.
Your teen is likely going to want sporty and cool when it comes to their own vehicle. You have to take the stance of providing safety first along with considering insurance costs, maintenance and fuel economy. It is easy to print out a breakdown of the pros and cons for each vehicle model on your teen’s list. A little discussion can bring a lot of compromise. Plus, your teen knows that the real freedom is in the driving, not what they are driving. So, do not worry if you cannot find the perfect shade of color or stylistic look. Once you give them the keys, they will not care what they are driving so long as they can drive.
