Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping for Your Teen's First Car
Keeping some important things in mind while you are on your search for the perfect first car for your teenager can help the process go much more smoothly. Some suggestions include the following:
1. Keep Safety Top of Mind
There's a reason why it costs more to insure a teen compared to an adult: they historically have more accidents. This is why it's so important to keep safety at the top of your mind as the feature that is most compelling.
Fortunately, with today's selection of vehicles, robust safety and driver assistance features abound. In addition to ensuring that the car you pick has the best safety features, you'll also want to research crash test ratings to see how each vehicle holds up when it is pushed through a rigorous crash test.
2. Steer Away From Performance
Performance in this case refers to vehicles like sports cars. While it is the dream of many teenagers to slide behind the wheel of their very own sports cars with plenty of power under the hood, it's best to put the brakes on too much power.
Teenagers could find out very quickly -- and with potentially harmful side effects -- that such a car is not something they can handle very well. Try to strike a balance instead and opt for just enough performance to power through the snow in Bloomsdale but not so much that your teenager can't handle it.
3. Go For Moderation
The range in the size of vehicles available today is staggering in its diversity. There are SUVs and crossovers that can seat seven, eight or even nine people. At the other end of the spectrum are two-seater sports cars. In between those two extremes is where the ideal first car for your teenager lies.
While you might think that a bigger vehicle is better when it comes to offering protection in the event your teen is in an accident, having the capacity to transport so many friends around could be a recipe for disaster. The more people your teen has in the vehicle with them, the more likely they will have difficulty paying attention to the road.
A two-seater sports car, on the other hand, not only packs a great deal of performance under its hood, but it might not be the safest vehicle for someone who is inexperienced on the road. Instead, opt for a sedan, a compact SUV or a crossover. These options give your teen some room while also giving them access to the latest in safety assistance features.
4. Look For Fuel Efficiency
With their first car, comes a taste of both freedom and responsibility. Opting for a vehicle that is fuel efficient helps your teen keep more of their cash in their pockets. Even teens who have jobs often find their paychecks running out before their next payday. If their vehicle offers good fuel economy, maybe they won't need to hit you up for gas money very often.
5. Don't Skimp on Technology
When your teen is driving, the last thing you want is for them to be distracted by their cell phone. With features that integrate their smartphone seamlessly to their vehicle's system, there is less chance of hands moving off the steering wheel and eyes leaving the road. They also allow your teen to tap into voice recognition to do everything from pulling up directions to changing the radio station -- all without having to take their eyes off the road or their hands off the steering wheel.
Choosing your teen's first car doesn't have to be fraught with questions and jitters. If you need assistance, just head to Chevrolet of Bloomsburg. There, you'll find experienced professionals who take the time to listen to what you need and offer thoughtful guidance designed to help you find the right car for your needs.
