Your child becoming a teen driver is stressful enough without having to worry about buying the right car, too. These tips can help you get started with used car shopping for your young driver.
Review a car’s safety ratings and features
We get it — safety is a top priority when it comes to your teenager behind the wheel. It’s a good idea to check a vehicle’s safety ratings. You can check an individual car’s safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or review the Top Safety Picks list from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. This can help narrow down your search if you’re new to used car shopping.
Consider vehicle type and size
When choosing a car for your teen, vehicle size matters for a few reasons. Larger cars can be harder to handle but they do perform better in safety tests. Smaller vehicles on the other hand are typically more cost-effective and fuel-efficient. While doing your research, it may be a good idea to check your state’s driver licensing laws to know how many passengers your teen is allowed to have in their vehicle, as this may help you decide on what size car is best.
Consider affordability and maintenance costs
When buying a used car for your teen, be sure to consider the added costs of gas, oil changes, and other potential repairs. Affordability is a major factor when car shopping and The Auto Connection has a wide selection of safe, affordable used cars from which to choose. Other factors to consider include whether your teen will be helping pay for the car or if they’ll be buying gas or paying for their insurance.
Speaking of insurance…
Once you’ve chosen a used car for your teen, you’re going to need car insurance. They can get their own policy but it’s usually more cost-effective to add them to the family’s current policy.
Include your teen in the decision
It may be tempting to take over the whole car-buying process yourself — but keep in mind that it can be a valuable learning experience for your teenager. Buying a used car is an important financial decision. Include them in the process and you’ll be teaching them a lot of valuable information about what it means to be an adult.
Are you in the market for a reliable used vehicle? As a premier buy here, pay here dealership in Hampton Roads, The Auto Connection helps people in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Eastern Shore, Smithfield, Chesapeake and Newport News, VA get the financing they need to drive away in a quality used car, truck, SUV or van. Find out how easy it is to get a quality pre-owned vehicle of your own with buy here, pay here financing from The Auto Connection.
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