Ah, that rite of passage every teenager dreams of and every parent dreads - getting a license to drive.
While the teen harbors illusions of hitting the open road with a load of friends, or flitting around town all summer, parents begin to have anxiety attacks every time an auto accident makes the news. Checking into the cost of a car and insurance adds to the feeling of impending doom.
Still, it’s nice to have another driver and an extra car. And since you are picking up the tab, you get to pick the automobile.
Look for safety and reliability
One of the most trusted names in consumer reviews, Consumer Reports, has one overarching recommendation. It says to buy the newest, most reliable model with the best car safety equipment you can afford.
Many safety features have been added since the implementation of the seat belt and several have become standard within the last few years. Most near-new cars will have them, and you will be buying a car that will last at least through college.
It may be tempting to get the cheapest clunker you can find, but an inexperienced driver needs the reliability of a newer model and, let’s face it, you want to get something with training wheels. The new safety features are just the thing.
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC) applies the brakes automatically to each wheel, individually, when the car skids. It helps to correct under- and over-steering and prevent over-corrections that can lead to a roll-over crash.
- Air bags have increased in number over the years. Starting with the front airbag and introducing side curtain bags, under dash bags, and others, this feature is probably the best thing since seat belts for preventing serious injury in an accident.
- Automatic emergency braking, forward collision warnings, blind spot alerts and lane departure warnings help the inexperienced or distracted driver avoid some massive bumps.
- Backing into a wall or another car should be a thing of the past with a backup camera. It’s handy for backing into a parking space, too.
Check out how the various safety features perform in crash tests conducted by the federal government and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It pays to spend a little extra for essential safety features, especially for new drivers.
It costs how much?!?
A new car depreciates (loses value) as soon as it leaves the lot. By purchasing a used car, the loss of value isn’t as dramatic. Your best choice, price-wise, is to shop off-lease or near-new cars under three years old. Find one that is about half the original sticker price for the model.
A newer used car will still have the key safety features you are looking for and enough technology to please your new driver. Increasingly automobiles are sporting USB ports, charging stations, and infotainment systems to provide what the good old AM/FM radio and CD (or cassette) player used to.
An infotainment system offers a few safety perks as well. Many provide roadside assistance, voice commands, text message read-back, and navigation as well as Bluetooth(R) connections and phone storage. Anything that keeps people from using their smartphones while driving is a crucial piece of safety equipment.
Time to go shopping
As you look online or stroll the car lots, take note of the makes and models that appeal to you. You can check the Consumer Reports website to see what other drivers have to say about the vehicle and the reliability ratings.
Once you decide on a particular car, copy the Vehicle Identification Number and do a VIN search to check the recall history. SaferCar and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provide online recall search.
Best used cars for teens according to consumer reports
In an article updated January 24, 2018, Consumer Reports released a list of what they consider to be the best cars for teens or new drivers. All vehicles on the list met their criteria for safety and reliability and performed well on the Consumer Reports' safety tests. Some have specific model years.
Here is a sample of cars listed that have starting prices below $6,000 according to the report. Clicking the links will take you to the Consumer Reports Review for that car.
- Acura TSX
- Chevrolet Malibu (non-turbo, 2009 or 2016)
- Ford Focus (sedan, 2010-2011)
- Ford Fusion (4-cylinder and hybrid, 2009-2016)
- Hyundai Santa Fe (V6, 2007-2009, 2011 or later, no third row)
- Hyundai Sonata (4-cylinder, non-turbo, 2006-2010, 2012 or later)
- Kia Forte (2010 or later)
- Kia Soul
- Kia Sportage (4-cylinder, non-turbo, 2011-2012, 2014 or later)
- Mazda 3 (2011 or later)
- Mazda 6 (4-cylinder, 2009 or later)
- Mitsubishi Outlander (2007-2013, no third row)
- Nissan Sentra (2011-2012, 2016)
- Scion xB (2008 or later)
- Toyota RAV4 (4-cylinder, no third row, 2004 or later)
Most parents are a little nervous when their kid becomes a driver, but some are somewhat relieved. Driving is a skill that most people in the United States find necessary. Teens find having a driver’s license gives them some freedom while their parents enjoy having someone else in the house to share the driving.
In any case, selecting an affordable car with the recommended safety features will provide peace of mind for parents, and a safe drive for new drivers as they practice and become more proficient. Now is the time to instill good driving habits. Plus, it’s good to know a safe, reliable vehicle can be found that fits within your budget.
