What To Look For When Buying Your Teen Their First Car

With his or her newly minted driver's license, your teen driver has dreams of a new car appearing in the driveway with a big bow wrapped around it. However, this is a time to be practical. It is important to consider the following when shopping for the first vehicle your teen will drive.

 Which is better: a new car or a used car?

There are quality used cars available, so it comes down to your budget and preferences for your teen driver. A used vehicle with a few dings may be a better deal financially and could add character to your teen's first car. Another thought is to buy a new car for yourself and pass your used car onto the new driver. Depending on the available incentives, this may be a more economical option for everyone involved.

 Large or small?

Your teen has visions of a sports car. The reality is, the safest cars for new drivers are midsize. Make sure you don't pick one whose engine is so powerful that your inexperienced driver can speed too easily. While parking may be a challenge for your novice driver, the extra weight and bulk will give you additional peace of mind.

 Test driving is critical.

It is not overkill for you and your teen to test drive as many cars as possible within your price range. Everyone needs to feel comfortable with how your teen handles the vehicle. It is also important to talk with your teen about the responsibility of owning and maintaining a car. You may want to establish rules for when and where the car is driven. For example, how many passengers are allowed to be in the car at one time and have the ever-important talk about distractions that drivers must minimize most notably electronics.

Purchasing a vehicle for your teen is a big step. Although you may want to jump into buying a vehicle right away, it is crucial to take your time in finding the right one. For help finding the perfect new or used vehicle for your teen, reach out to the experts at Melloy Dodge! We will make sure we find the right fit for you and your teen.