It is hard to believe summer is ending soon and school will start in just a few weeks. Back-to-school season can be a busy time for parents with all the shopping and hustle of moving to campus dorms. And if you are purchasing a car for your high schooler or college student, then you should review the following tips on choosing the best-used car for your teenager before they head back to school.
How much should you pay for your teen’s car?
The most important aspect when buying a car is to know your budget before you visit a used car dealership. There are many factors to consider that add to the cost of the car, such as taxes, registration, and insurance, among others. How much you should pay for your teen’s car will depend on how much you can afford. If you are financing the car, calculate your monthly payments with interest and add insurance costs to that. Many auto dealers offer in-house financing to facilitate the purchase experience. Remember, you want to still have a cushion for savings.
Insurance rates on cars for teenagers
You would be surprised at how much you will pay for your teen’s new car on insurance. Teenagers are among the highest-risk drivers due to immaturity and inexperience on the road. Research several insurance companies as some offer discounts for students with good grades and those who have taken certified driving classes.
Another aspect to research is cars with lower claim rates. The higher the rate, the higher the cost of insurance. A reliable source to research safety and ratings is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Is it better to buy a used or new car for your child?
Parents' initial thought is to buy a cheap car or pass down an older family car for their kids. But if budget allows, consider buying a reliable car with no more than 10 years of use and with low mileage. Do not compromise the safety of your child to save a few bucks. You want your teenager to get from point A to point B safely.
Despite the elevated prices of used cars, there are many good options to choose from. Following are a few picks Consumer Reports selected as Best Choices for Teens* based on a list of criteria that includes safety, reliability, road tests, good ratings, and others.
Small Cars
Mazda 3 sedan or hatchback (2014 or newer)
Chevrolet Volt (2014)
Toyota Corolla hatchback (2019 or newer)
Midsize Cars
Mazda 6 (2014-19)
Subaru Outback (2013 or newer; built after August 2012)
Lincoln MKZ (2015 or newer)
Large Cars
Toyota Avalon (2015 or newer)
Hyundai Genesis (2016)
Small SUVs
Mazda CX-5 (2014 or newer; built after October 2013)
Honda CR-V (2015 or newer)
Mazda CX-3 (2019)
Choosing the best used car dealership for your teenager
Choosing a used car dealership can be overwhelming. Fortunately, you can count on Shabana Motors as Houston’s most dependable and trustworthy used-auto dealer. Shabana Motors is a family-owned dealership that has been serving Houstonians for over 40 years. At Shabana Motors every car goes through a vigorous check and gets a fresh oil change before each sale. With our 2-year/ 24,000-mile warranty, we assure you will find a reliable vehicle for your teen.
If you are searching for a dependable used car but have issues with your credit, that is no problem. With our buy-here, pay-here financing model, we provide optimal in-house financing options to suit any need. Having bad credit or no credit should not stop you from getting your teen’s Life on Drive.
Visit us or call us today at 281-994-7105 and book an appointment to test drive the dependable car your teenager needs.
