So you’ve decided to do it. Take the plunge and purchase your teen his or her own car, that is. You may be feeling, well, let’s be honest, sick to your stomach, while your teen is most likely feeling nothing short of ecstatic. After all, a classic rite of passage is having your own car and the newfound freedom that a car brings. But despite your valid concerns, there is no reason why this shouldn’t be a special moment for both you and your teen. If you can compromise between your teen’s fantasy of something red and fast, and your thoughts of something big and reliable (read uncool), buying that first car can be an enjoyable experience.
Safety first
The fact is, teens are involved in more accidents than any other age group. So choosing a safe and reliable car should be your number one priority. According to the Kids’ First Car Survey at www.autoextra.com 90% of parents surveyed chose safety and reliability as the most important factor when selecting their teen’s first car. (Not surprisingly, the “style and coolness” factor edged out safety and reliability among the teens surveyed.)
So what does safe mean? Basically the heavier the car, the more protection it will provide for your child. Experts agree that a mid-sized sedan is a good choice for a first car; the higher the safety rating, the better. Buying that sporty little coupe may be your young driver’s dream, but he or she will likely be more tempted to “put the pedal to the metal.”
Used or new?
Most teens are likely to get a used car rather than a new one for one simple reason: they cost less. If you decide to go with a used vehicle, consider that vehicles 6 years old or newer are equipped with more safety features such as anti-lock brakes and airbags. Do your homework online and in person, and let your teen be involved in this process too.
Ordering a CARFAX Vehicle History Report is a good investment when purchasing a used car, and helps ensure that you don’t buy your teen a lemon. While you’re at their Website check out CARFAX’s Safe Teen Drivers Program and sign up for free weekly safe teen driving tips.
Insurance
Since teens lack driving experience, they’re a higher risk to insure than adults; therefore their premiums will be higher. But there are steps you and your teen can take to help reduce rates. Check out Jumpstart a talk with your teen about car insurance for teens, safe driving tips and more and Choosing the right car insurance for teens for more information.
The contract
We’re not talking about the purchase contract here. It’s a smart idea to sit down with your teen and draw up your own contract which states how much he or she will contribute toward the cost of the car, maintenance, insurance and gas. The contract should also be specific about uses for the car and rules such as the number of passengers allowed, no cell phone use while driving, etc.
Have your teen be accountable to the terms of the contract or the car gets taken away. If your teen has an investment in the vehicle he or she will be much more likely to show responsibility on the road.
Keep it up
You may be familiar with the phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” When it comes to proper care of your car, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Regular maintenance is essential to keep the car running in tip top shape and to prevent future problems, and it is a must that your teen understands this before he or she gets behind the wheel.
It is up to you to teach your teen basic car maintenance. A terrific article to get you started is Teach Your Teen: Maintenance Basics for Teens. It covers everything from simple checks your teen can do to the importance of an annual inspection by a qualified mechanic.
The hard part
You’ve purchased the car and insurance, signed the contract, talked about responsibility and taking care of the car. It is now time to let him or her go. When all is said and done, you are of course still going to worry about your teen; that is your job as a parent. But you can rest a little easier knowing that you have done everything you can to help ensure your teen is as safe as possible out on the road.
