How to Choose an Affordable, Reliable Car for a Teen

When it comes to buying a car, parents and teens usually have two different standards about what the “must haves” are.  Most teens are concerned about style, good looks and hotness, while parents are looking for safety, stability and economy.  Fortunately, with the latest models on the road today, there can be a balance between the two-protection for your peace of mind and style points for his reputation.   

Teen Car Crash Statistics
The most important question to ask before buying your  teen her car is-“Is it safe?” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car crashes are the number one killer of teens; claiming over 4,000 lives each year; another 300,000 teens are injured.  With these grim statistics it is critical for you to buy your teen the safest car you can afford.

Newest Car Safety Features
As far as safety goes, in general the newer the car, the safer it will be.  That’s because of the advances in automobile technology designed to protect drivers from all kinds of hazardous driving conditions.  Teen drivers benefit from these layers of safety since their inexperience causes more crashes than any other group.  Features such as electronic stability control, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, lane departure warnings, side/ front airbags and curtains are just some of the features later model cars have to ensure road safety.  Of course, all of these features do not come standard on every new car, but pick the ones that are most important and cost effective for you and your young driver.

Speed Kills

One of the maddening, but typical qualities of teens is their risky behavior.  Mixing a sense of invincibility with a fast car is a potentially deadly situation.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that cars such as the Ford Mustang are too tempting for teens.  It’s best to chose a car with less horsepower, but enough to accelerate in a moderate amount of time.

Size Matters

Safety studies show that a mid to large size car is the best bet for teens.  These size cars are maneuverable and yet sturdy enough to withstand an accident.  The recommended weight for a car is around 3,330 pounds for a teen driver.

Top 5 vehicle models pleasing to both parents and teens:

1. Ford Focus
2. Honda Civic
3. Subaru Impreza 2.5i
4. Nissan Versa
5. Kia Forte

When choosing a car for your teen, you don’t have to compromise.  It is possible to have the best of both worlds: safety and style.