Driving is a right of passage for most teens. It´s like gaining newfound freedom. At the age of 16 most teens start to get their license and new cars soon follow. Most parents get worried about their children being safe on the road. Generally, parents look for cars with many safety features that can protect their children in the case of an accident. 

When it comes to buying a car for your teen, it’s important to make sure the car is going to be reliable and last a long time. There are many places to look for cars like used car dealerships or new car dealerships. 

When purchasing a new car you can rest assured you are going to get the latest in technology, and safety features like lane-keep assist, automatic braking, and blind-spot monitoring. These features might put a concerned parent at ease when in the car buying process. 

New cars, however, come with a higher price. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), a highly reliable car valuation company, talks about how the average new car is priced around $48,000, which for some families could be a very significant purchase or investment. 

Used Car Dealerships: Cheap and Affordable Options

Used cars are typically the more budget-friendly option. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) suggests that an average used car is priced around $28,000. The lower price typically makes used vehicles the more attractive option for families. 

However, when buying used, I recommend going through a certified pre-owned (CPO) program that many dealerships offer that come with very useful things like warranties that will help ease a parents mind about potential car troubles.

Here are key features to look for when buying your teen their first car:

• Fuel efficiency: With gas prices constantly rising and falling, a car with good fuel efficiency will save you and your teen more money in the long run. 
• Weight and size: Kelley Blue Book suggests SUVs and midsize sedans tend to be more protective and safer in car accidents compared to smaller vehicles.

Before we talk about the best type of cars to buy for a teen when they start driving, let’s talk about the worst types. 

Stay away from tiny cars no matter how cute or affordable they may seem. They could be good on gas but how will that help you in a car accident with a humongous diesel truck? Now most people don’t recommend you go out there and buy the biggest car possible, but something mid-sized should do. 

Also, stay away from sports cars and high-horse-powered cars.Even if teens may gravitate towards faster cars, they are way out of their wheelhouse handling-wise. 

It’s important to look at reliable websites like Kelley Blue Book (KBB) when car shopping to make the best decision for you. 

KBB suggests that safe technology in cars can get very pricey. It is a very important factor in an equation that determines a car´s sales price. The majority of all base model cars do not come fully equipped with all the latest safety features, so when shopping for a car loaded with more features than a base model. I recommend a mid or upper-trim vehicle. 

To wrap this all up in pretty red bow. Make safe smart decisions when it comes to purchasing a car for a teenager. Remember this is a very important decision and should be taken seriously.