Purchasing Your Teen's First Car

Mile by mile, teenagers present themselves as the biggest risk on the road. Insurance rates nationwide reflect that age 16, the first year of independent driving for the average US teenager, is the most dangerous year of a young person's life.

Risk is not necessarily what a parent wants to focus on when sending a teen out into the world, or even just to the grocery store, but there are important things to consider when selecting that first car for your son or daughter.

While your teen may prevail upon you to keep style (preferably sporty) and appearance (shiny and new) in mind, as parents we understand the big picture of the price tag. The newer and sportier the model, the more the vehicle is likely going to cost up front, as well as in extras such as insurance. On the flip side, however, we want to make sure our kids are driving the streets in reliable vehicles that won't leave them stranded and late for school.

First Car and New Driver Considerations

Why put a new driver in a vehicle that is more prone to roll-overs or doesn't protect the occupant in a side collision? Determine what type of car you want your teen driving before you begin to shop.

While the low price of a solid, older vehicle may be attractive, you shouldn't purchase anything made before airbags were a common feature. Have your mechanic make sure the airbags in a used car have not been deployed or disabled.

The tires of a vehicle can tell you a lot about how it handles on the road and keeping a vehicle's tires in good condition and with the proper amount of air pressure increases safety on the road. Examine the tires of a potential used car purchase carefully, and then teach your teen driver to make checking his or her tires a routine of car ownership.

You don't want a car that goes from 0 to 90 in under 10, but you also don't want your new driver in a vehicle that is slow to respond to commands.

Read car reviews from both professional reviewers and from people who own the vehicle you are considering purchasing. This will help you determine if the car truly meets your needs and requirements for road worthiness.

Avoid buying your teen the car you dreamed about as a teenager. Teens are safer in conservative cars that are more reliable than they are lovely.