The Mom Kind When a child first becomes a teenager, parents begin to consider which car to choose for their teen. After they earn their license, you want them to be able to independently get to school and go about their business. Parents often face difficulty during this process and you might be left to wonder how to choose your teen’s first car.
First Vehicle: How to Choose Your Teen’s First Car
One option is to rent a car to check out the features. For example, Mini Cooper rent is a popular choice among youth for stylish design and spaciousness. However, the first car you consider might not be the best choice for your budget or preferences. There are plenty of rental services that have a wide selection of cars for hire.
This article will help you understand what you should pay attention to when buying the first car for your child.
Best cars for teenagers
Many parents understand that their teen’s car probably won’t last long. That is to say that a new expensive vehicle is probably not the best choice for new drivers. However, reliability and safety must remain in the first place.
These suggested automobiles discourage risky driving behavior, reduce avoidable hazards, and have high IIHS safety ratings. Sports cars, small vehicles with a curb weight of less than 1250 kg, and large cars with long stopping distances are not great choices.
Muscle Cars are Out, Safety is In
In 2021, US News and World Report released its latest ranking of the best cars for young drivers. The times when teenagers drive powerful muscle cars are finally in the past.
Newer cars are equipped with a collision warning system, automatic braking system, lane departure warning system, and lane-keeping assistant. Vehicles now have tracking via dedicated apps and do not require serious expenses when owned.
Aspects to consider when buying a car for a teenager
When buying a car for your child, consider the following aspects.
Car Size
While small cars might be best for fuel efficiency and minimal blind spots, they also have negative factors to consider. If your child is in an accident, smaller cars’ front end crumple more and pose a safety risk during impact.
On the flip side, larger cars might not have the best fuel efficiency and have larger blind spots to consider, your teen may be safer in one during an accident. Ideally, a mid-size car might be the best choice for your teenager’s first car. Many models available have good gas mileage and offer many of the best safety features.
Internal capacity.
Ideally, you need to consider the inside of the car just as much as the outside. According to their schooling and jobs, your teen may need quite a bit of room. Things to consider are cup holders, places to put books and bags, navigation systems, and comfortable seats.
Availability of additional security systems.
There are quite a substantial amount of features available in vehicles these days. Here are a few key ones to consider looking for in your teens first car.
- Hard braking system.
- Anti-blocking system.
- Parktronic (for more convenient and safe parking).
- Blind-spot monitoring system
And much more.
Conclusion
Your teen will likely have a preference for the style and color of their first car. However, the main thing is to have a safe and reliable vehicle to get them from point a to point b. When you choose your teen’s first car, remember to check the car fax for the vehicle. Doing so will allow you to not only see if there are previous accidents, it will also give you insight into whether the car received regular maintenance.
The Mom Kind
Alicia Trautwein is an Autism advocate, writer, motivational speaker, and dedicated mom of four. Alicia’s desire to advocate for Autism comes from her own autism diagnosis and that of her three children, niece, and brother. Her life’s mission is to educate on autism acceptance and change the world for future generations of autistic individuals.
