Selecting a teenager's first car is not something to be taken lightly
Selecting a teenager's first car is not something to be taken lightly

Comments 0

By Chuck Mai

Published: March 4, 2008

Teens like cool cars. So do I. But "cool,” as I discovered, is in the eye of the beholder.

Take my son. After he received his driver's license, I graciously offered to let him have my beloved 1993 high-performance, convertible sports car as his own.

Nah, he didn't want it. His idea of cool is a bit different than mine. That, and I guess the ragtop, still had some Daddy stigma attached to it.

In the end, we compromised. He picked out a 7-year-old Volvo S60. He's happy with it and so am I. A quick, little, low-slung Nissan 240 SX, no matter how much I liked it, is not the best car for a 16-year-old male.

Choosing a car for your teen is a big deal — financially, of course — but also from a safety standpoint, especially if the vehicle is being purchased for a new driver. The fact is that nearly half the deaths among 15- to 17-year-olds result from car crashes.

In addition to cost and safety, other factors, including reliability and responsibility, should be considered in the vehicle-buying equation. But where do you begin?

First, as a parent, do your homework. Looming deadlines like graduations should not compromise the thoroughness of your car-buying decision.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

•Affordability — While a new car is desirable for reliability and the latest safety features, it may not be in the budget. Consider buying a certified used car. Study the used-car market to avoid paying too much. Research insurance costs, which can vary greatly for different vehicles.

•Safety — Driving is the most dangerous thing your teen will do all day. Teen fatality rates are more than double those of adult licensed drivers. Parents should consider a car with features like electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes, which have been found to be effective in reducing the risk of a crash.

Also, look for features that will help reduce the likelihood of injury should a crash occur, such as front and side airbags and adjustable head restraints.

•Reliability — Finding a reliable vehicle is important not only for driver safety, but also for your peace of mind. Avoid vehicles with excessive mileage. Have the vehicle inspected by a certified facility to ensure it's rust-free, mechanically sound, and that all safety components are operable. You can review a specific vehicle's history by ordering a vehicle history report from CARFAX.

•Responsibility — Consider entering into a "contract” or agreement with your teen on expected behavior behind the wheel. AAA Oklahoma offers a parent-teen driving agreement that helps set rules for night driving, driving with passengers, speeding, distractions, and other safety issues for parents and their new teen driver. Contact me for a free copy.

How your teen drives is as important as what your teen drives.

Novice drivers have trouble managing distractions. Don't allow cell phone calls, text messaging, eating, drinking, or other activities that divert attention, and stick by your guns.

Limiting passenger numbers and curbing nighttime driving can lessen crash risk. With 16- and 17-year-old drivers, the crash risk increases sharply with each additional teen passenger.

Death and injury rates for teen drivers are highest at night, with more than half of nighttime fatal crashes occurring between 9 p.m. and midnight.

You have more influence over your teen than you realize. Use it to make your teen a safer driver.