Tips For Buying Your Teenager’s First Car

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If your teenager just completed his driver’s ed and has passed the state license state, the next step is choosing his first car. This is one of the biggest thrills of a teen’s life as a car purchase is a rite of passage that translates to more independence and mobility. However, shopping for the right vehicle can be daunting as your teen may want something sleek, shiny, and powerful, while you may want something a little more practical and won’t cost a fortune to maintain. With 41% of parents buying their children’s first car, it’s likely that mom and dad get to have the final say when it comes to making the purchase. But apart from the price, there are other things that you have to consider when choosing the right car for your teen. For example, you can use discounts Safeco provides for their insurance rate to be lowered when adding them to your policy. Here are some tips for buying your teenager’s first car.

Decide on a budget

Talk to your teen about how much you’re willing to spend on his first car. Having a budget helps your child to manage his expectations and it also stops you from spending more than you can afford. You should also have a serious discussion on whether you’re buying a new or used car. Afterwards, you can shop around and get accurate car pricing information to ensure that you’re getting a good deal.

Choose a fuel efficient car

After setting a budget and shopping around, let your child know that he’ll be responsible for filling up the tank. With that being said, it’s important to choose a car that doesn’t guzzle gas. Choose the right sized vehicle for your teen—keep in mind that a heavier vehicle needs more power, thus using more gas to accelerate. For maximum fuel efficiency, choose a car with four cylinders and check out the MPG rating of the vehicle supplied by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You may also want to teach your child a few tips to avoid wasting gas while he’s driving.

Safety first

After checking the car’s safety features, you will need to make sure that your child practices safe driving habits. Make sure that he complies with safety basics such as wearing a seatbelt and not using his phone while driving. Encourage your teen to look past the car in front of him and to always check his tire pressure before leaving the house. Your teen should also be responsible for keeping the car clean inside and out as an untidy vehicle is not only unsanitary, but loose objects can be dangerous projectiles if he gets into an accident.

Follow these tips when buying your teenager’s first car. Doing so will make the experience go smoother and be more pleasant for both of you, and you’re assured that your child will be a lot safer while he’s on the road.