Earning the privilege of driving for the first time is a milestone that all of us remember. Having a driver’s licence is the first real taste of freedom a lot of people experience. With this freedom, however, also comes a whole host of responsibilities. The dream of enjoying the open road without the need for another experienced driver in the vehicle often collides with harsh realities like price constraints, monthly payments and insurance costs. Choosing the right vehicle for a new driver may prove to be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Our team at Auto Depot Sudbury has a lot of experience in this area and we’d be more than happy to help you out as well. Continue reading as we’ve compiled a handful of things to consider then buying a vehicle for a new driver.

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5 Things to Consider When Buying a Car for a New Driver

It’s hard for parents watching their kids grow up each and every day, knowing they will eventually leave the nest. Adding automobiles to that equation simply compounds the fear many parents have as they begin to let their kids have a bit more freedom. Here are a few things you might want to consider.

1. Safety Features:

Vehicle safety technology has come a long way and most vehicles are equipped with standard safety features such as air bags, seat belts, anti-lock brakes, and a traction control system that keeps drivers safe on the road. Not only have almost all vehicles become better at protecting passengers in the event of a crash, but modern safety sensors can even help avoid collisions in the first place. You don't have to spring for the newest model to get such features as even vehicles from a few years ago will come equipped with at least some advanced protection systems.

2. Vehicle Condition :

It’s important to consider a vehicle’s current condition when looking for a vehicle, especially for a new driver. A vehicle’s age, mileage, service history and overall interior and exterior condition are important factors to consider when deciding which vehicle to purchase. As new drivers are just starting their driving journey, it may be more ideal to purchase a vehicle with less features, a good reputation for reliability and low running costs. This is so that they can focus on honing in on their driving skills, rather than worrying about features or if the vehicle will run or not.

3. Insurance Costs:

Automotive insurance companies are known to view inexperienced drivers as a higher risk demographic. As a result, insurance rates for those under the age of 25 tend to be more expensive. A new vehicle is typically more expensive to insure compared to an older used model. The same is true for regular maintenance and repair costs. New drivers are certain to make mistakes, so a few scratches on a car's bumper shouldn’t be a big deal for someone who’s just starting out on their driving journey.

4. Performance Capability:

Almost every automaker offers a performance-oriented version of their mainstream cars, trucks and SUVs. Although these vehicles are definitely fun to drive and may catch the eye of new drivers, it’s advisable that they stay away from these high-performance machines. New drivers are simply too inexperienced to handle a vehicle with several hundred horsepower under the hood and the temptation to, ‘see what it can really do,’ is often too much even for the most experienced drivers to handle.

5. Purchase from a Reputable Seller:

Purchasing a vehicle from a reputable dealer removes a lot of the stress and hassle that comes with buying a vehicle. A licensed used car dealership, like Auto Depot Sudbury, ensures that the vehicles they sell are in good mechanical condition, fairly priced and handle all of the licensing requirements of a vehicle transfer. Reputable dealers also stand behind the vehicles that they sell and typically offer a multi-point inspection report, limited exchange policy and are able to perform a safety certification, if required.

Auto Depot Sudbury is your go-to used car dealership in Sudbury and the surrounding Northern Ontario region. Conveniently located at 933 Kingsway in Sudbury, Ontario, we have been proudly serving our community for over 25 years and have helped hundreds of new drivers get behind the wheel of their first vehicle. Our top notch sales team can help you browse our wide array of high quality used vehicles to find the right vehicle for the right price! Purchasing a vehicle from us is only the start of our relationship as we proudly offer routine service and repairs at our state of the art service centre. Don’t hesitate to visit us and chat with one of our friendly and knowledgeable sales representatives about our featured vehicles under $15K!