Is That Appropriate?
You've been dreading this day for months. Your teen finally has his driver's license. You don't mind him taking the family car occasionally but conflicting schedules may make this difficult. It looks like the time has come to help your teen buy his first car. He wants something nice that won't make him look like a "geek." You want something safe, but buying a Sherman tank won't cut it. What you need are some pointers that will make both of you happy.
When buying your teen a car, keep in mind that teenage drivers lack experience and often display immature behavior when driving like speeding and playing games. This may explain why teenage drivers have the highest death rate of any age group. Most of your teen's time behind the wheel will be spent with friends, and he will probably drive a little more recklessly than if you were in the car.
Don't fall for the sports or muscle car hype. Avoid cars with a turbocharger-this will only encourage the need to speed. Look for a car with a more sedate image. While SUVs are attractive, many experts advise against buying one for a beginning driver. Their high center of gravity makes them susceptible to rollovers when abrupt steering maneuvers are performed. While you don't need to put your teen in the largest car on the market, you don't want to put him in the smallest either. Small cars offer less protection in the event of a crash. Cars in the mid- to full-size range are best. Before buying any car, check Consumer Reports used car guides for safety and reliability ratings and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site at www.nhst.dot.gov for crash test ratings and recall notices.
You have some idea as to what kind of car to look for-now the debate is whether to buy a new or used car. A newer economy car will offer more safety features, such as dual air bags and passive restraint seatbelts. All the equipment will be under warranty and there will be a greater choice of options, colors and equipment. However, some newer economy cars do not perform well in crash tests and their depreciation is greater. If considering a used car, those produced in or after 1990 will have air bags for the driver and, in models produced after 1998, dual air bags. If there is a question regarding whether a car has air bags, check the owner's manual.
Just making a decision to help your teen buy a car is not enough. The responsibilities involved in owning a car should also be discussed with him. You should establish who will be responsible for paying the insurance, gas and car payments. If your teen doesn't have a job, this might be a good time to encourage him to get one. If you are paying the bills, make your teen aware of just how expensive owning a car is by showing him the bills as they come in. A chart of monthly expenses on the refrigerator can also aid in explaining and reminding him of the financial investment you have in his car. Determine who will be responsible for the routine maintenance and service of the car and make sure your teen can at least check the oil and change a tire. Discuss what will happen in the event he receives a speeding or parking ticket and who will be responsible for paying it. Find out if your teen knows what to do in the event of an accident. Make sure he knows what information to exchange and where the insurance information is kept in the car. Outline driving restrictions where applicable, like how many people are allowed in the car at a time and whether he can drive at night or just during the day.
Every teen looks forward to getting his first car and every parent dreads it, but it is a rite of passage. It is a teenager's first step toward becoming an independent adult. Instilling a sense of responsibility in him now will go a long way toward making him a good driver and responsible automobile owner in the future.
You've been dreading this day for months. Your teen finally has his driver's license. You don't mind him taking the family car occasionally but conflicting schedules may make this difficult. It looks like the time has come to help your teen buy his first car. He wants something nice that won't make him look like a "geek." You want something safe, but buying a Sherman tank won't cut it. What you need are some pointers that will make both of you happy.
When buying your teen a car, keep in mind that teenage drivers lack experience and often display immature behavior when driving like speeding and playing games. This may explain why teenage drivers have the highest death rate of any age group. Most of your teen's time behind the wheel will be spent with friends, and he will probably drive a little more recklessly than if you were in the car.
Don't fall for the sports or muscle car hype. Avoid cars with a turbocharger-this will only encourage the need to speed. Look for a car with a more sedate image. While SUVs are attractive, many experts advise against buying one for a beginning driver. Their high center of gravity makes them susceptible to rollovers when abrupt steering maneuvers are performed. While you don't need to put your teen in the largest car on the market, you don't want to put him in the smallest either. Small cars offer less protection in the event of a crash. Cars in the mid- to full-size range are best. Before buying any car, check Consumer Reports used car guides for safety and reliability ratings and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site at www.nhst.dot.gov for crash test ratings and recall notices.
You have some idea as to what kind of car to look for-now the debate is whether to buy a new or used car. A newer economy car will offer more safety features, such as dual air bags and passive restraint seatbelts. All the equipment will be under warranty and there will be a greater choice of options, colors and equipment. However, some newer economy cars do not perform well in crash tests and their depreciation is greater. If considering a used car, those produced in or after 1990 will have air bags for the driver and, in models produced after 1998, dual air bags. If there is a question regarding whether a car has air bags, check the owner's manual.
Just making a decision to help your teen buy a car is not enough. The responsibilities involved in owning a car should also be discussed with him. You should establish who will be responsible for paying the insurance, gas and car payments. If your teen doesn't have a job, this might be a good time to encourage him to get one. If you are paying the bills, make your teen aware of just how expensive owning a car is by showing him the bills as they come in. A chart of monthly expenses on the refrigerator can also aid in explaining and reminding him of the financial investment you have in his car. Determine who will be responsible for the routine maintenance and service of the car and make sure your teen can at least check the oil and change a tire. Discuss what will happen in the event he receives a speeding or parking ticket and who will be responsible for paying it. Find out if your teen knows what to do in the event of an accident. Make sure he knows what information to exchange and where the insurance information is kept in the car. Outline driving restrictions where applicable, like how many people are allowed in the car at a time and whether he can drive at night or just during the day.
Every teen looks forward to getting his first car and every parent dreads it, but it is a rite of passage. It is a teenager's first step toward becoming an independent adult. Instilling a sense of responsibility in him now will go a long way toward making him a good driver and responsible automobile owner in the future.
