How to Pick the Best First Car for Your Teen

Shopping for your teenager's first car is a daunting prospect that can terrify any parent. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States. Teenage drivers are also 3 times more likely to get into an accident than people over the age of 20. The car you choose will play an essential part in keeping your teen as safe as possible on the road.

Size of Vehicle

One rule of thumb to choose the best car for your teen is to avoid anything too big or too small. The best vehicles for teenage drivers are usually midsize sedans or small SUVs. In a compact car, the driver is much more likely to be injured in an accident. However, large vehicles can be unwieldy to drive and may be more difficult for an inexperienced driver. Also, larger vehicles have room for more passengers, all of whom may be distracting for your teen.

Used Cars

Because you can expect your teen to put at least a few scrapes on his or her new car, it's usually a good idea to start off with a vehicle that's a few years old. Of course, the car shouldn't be so old that it doesn't meet modern safety standards. Certified pre-owned vehicles are often good choices, and you can find them at most used car dealers in Anchorage, Alaska. They are thoroughly inspected and come with a warranty just like a new vehicle. However, they are significantly less expensive than buying a new car.

Small Engines

In most cases, teens don't need anything bigger than a 4-cylinder engine. The added power of a V6 or V8 engine will only tempt them to push their car faster than they should. Buying a car with a 4-cylinder engine has many other benefits, as well. They're typically cheaper to buy and are more fuel efficient. They are also usually cheaper to insure than vehicles with larger engines.

Safety Features

Do some research ahead of time to find out what vehicles perform best during safety tests. This is the best way to predict what will happen in case of an accident. You can find test results through organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Also be sure the vehicle comes equipped with safety features like airbags, electronic stability control, and an anti-lock braking system.

Reliability

Teen drivers often put more strain on their vehicles than older, more experienced drivers. Habits like stopping, starting, or turning suddenly can all cause extra wear and tear on a vehicle. Do your research to find out which vehicles are built to last over time. Don't waste your money on a cheap car that will fall apart under rough handling. You can find reviews online that rate the reliability of any vehicle on the market. Or talk to friends that have owned the same vehicle and see what they think about its reliability.

Additional Features

More and more vehicles today are coming equipped with additional features that let parents keep track of their teens' driving. Some cars can keep track of the vehicle's speed so you can make sure your teen isn't driving over the speed limit. You can also find many cars that will allow you to locate exactly where the vehicle is at any time. Several manufacturers offer vehicles that will block incoming texts while the car is in motion to prevent your teen from being distracted. Visit used car dealers in Anchorage, Alaska to see what's available, and you might be surprised at the many options you find!

Source : articlesbase.com