New Driver In The Family? Start Here When Car Shopping For Them
Best Cars To Buy For New Teen Drivers
Getting a driver’s license is one of the first tastes of independence and serious responsibility most people experience. The only feeling that can credibly match that energy is getting behind the wheel of your first car. For parents, agonizing over the best cars to buy for new teen drivers is something we see quite often at Auto Depot Sudbury. The most important elements of a first car include safety, reliability, and affordability. Follow along with us so our team can give you a basic framework to start your search for a new driver’s first vehicle.
READ MORE: Our 3 Best Used Car Buying Tips
Safety Is The Top Priority
Nothing will stop parents from worrying about their new drivers when they leave on their own. Ensuring the automobile is safe and reliable will go a long way toward giving parents a little peace of mind. Some of the most important safety features a first car should have include:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear camera
Most cars built within the last 10 or so years will have most of these systems equipped.
Another important safety point is the type of vehicle itself. Almost every safety study and expert advises parents to avoid buying high-performance sports cars or pickup trucks as a first vehicle. The temptation to push these platforms to their performance limits can be too much for a seasoned driver to resist.
Examine All Costs Of Vehicle Ownership
The price you pay at the dealership, including taxes and fees aren’t the only costs to consider when buying a vehicle for a new driver. It is important to factor in:
- Insurance premium (costs for new drivers will be higher)
- Fuel costs
- Ongoing maintenance and repairs
Fuel costs can be mitigated by looking for hybrid models, and maintenance costs can be controlled by focusing on options with as few kilometres on the odometer as possible.
Don’t Skip The Test Drive
The test drive is the most important and most fun part of the entire buying process. Going on a test drive is more than just jumping in the car and hitting the gas. In fact, actually driving the vehicle should be the last part of the process. Before you and your new driver take the keys, you should:
- Examine the exterior. Look for mismatched body panels and other visible damage.
- Open and close all the doors, hood and trunk. They should all move freely.
- On the inside, be on the lookout for musty or mildew smells. That could indicate flood damage, and it’s an immediate red flag.
- After starting the vehicle, listen for grinding or metal-on-metal sounds.
- The brake pedal should be firm, and the steering wheel should move freely.
- When driving, brakes should comfortably slow the vehicle and be free of squealing or other warning sounds.
Make an appointment with an Auto Depot Sudbury product expert today if you need help getting your new driver’s first car home as quickly as possible.