Features To Look For In Your Teen’s First Car
It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Or maybe it will be the best day ever, if you need help running errands and hauling the younger kids around. It’s the day your teen gets their driver’s license. Immediately after they get their license – or, who are we kidding, in the weeks and months leading up to it – they’re going to be bugging you about getting them a vehicle. And they’re going to want the most stylish, sporty, powerful vehicle on the market. You know, the one with all the bells and whistles and latest tech toys. And maybe they’ve been a great kid up to this point, so you’re going to spoil them a little. Or maybe you’re going to get them a reliable pre-owned vehicle for their starter car. Whatever you decide, here’s what to look for in your teen’s first car.
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Safety and Reliability
The number one thing on the mind of every parent of a first-time driver is safety. So when picking out your teen’s first vehicle, you’re going to want to make sure it comes equipped with state-of-the-art safety features. That includes the old standards like anti-lock brakes and a wide array of airbags, plus newer features like electronic stability control and driver assistance systems. Recent model years have included such driver assistance features as collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems and adaptive cruise control. All of these will help make sure your teen returns home safe and sound.
Fuel Efficiency
Having a teen is expensive enough as it is. There’s no reason to add huge gas expenditures to the list. More than likely, your teen is going to want to drive anywhere and everywhere possible once they get their license. So why not make sure they’re not using too much gas along the way? Fuel efficiency has become a popular feature in almost every make and model on the market, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find a vehicle that won’t break the bank at the pump.
Technology
Chances are, your teen is always on their phone. And no matter how many lectures you give them, they’re probably going to whip it out while they’re driving. So why not get a car with hands-free features to make things safer? Many newer vehicles come with these features, allowing your teen to talk on the phone, get directions and listen to messages without taking their hands off the wheel. The best bet is always to keep the phone packed away while driving, but that’s not a realistic bet. Might as well make using the phone as safe as possible for your teen driver.
Watching your teen back out of the driveway and head down the road on their own for the first time is a nerve-racking experience. Might as well make things as easy on yourself as possible by following these tips. And if you’re heading out to get your teen’s first car, be sure to check out our inventory of quality used vehicles and schedule your test drive right here on our website.