How to prepare for your teen’s first car?
Photo by Ron Lach
Considering that your teen is about to get their first car, you would think that there would be plenty of guidelines to follow. After all, this is the age when most kids turn fourteen and begin driving. But according to statistics, more than 80% of teenagers who have their driver’s license taken away for some reason get their permit reinstated within a year. If they can do it, so can you. So how do you know if getting your teenager, a car is a right decision or if it will backfire in the long run? Check out these tips to help your son or daughter reach their first car on the right track.
Get your teen involved
Your teen is the one who is going to be driving. If you don’t involve them in the decision-making process, they will have no idea what kind of car to get or if it’s even a good idea to drive. You should start by asking your teen what kind of car they want and then discuss your options. If you have a budget in mind, you can also ask what type of car they would like and then list all the options available within that price range. Besides, let your teen choose the color, as it’s a big part of the car’s appeal.
Set the budget
When you decide on the type of car your teenager should get, you need to set a budget. Every teenager will have different needs and desires, so you can’t afford to buy a brand new car because it’s within your budget. To determine your budget, you can use the average price of a vehicle in your area. That way, your teen won’t feel like they are being taken advantage of because they are getting a cheaper model than what they want. Setting the budget also gives you a good idea of what kind of car they will be driving.
Educate your teen
Before you purchase your teen’s first car, you need to inform them about operating a vehicle safely. Teach your teen how to drive and how to handle the controls properly. Make sure they know which parts of the car are most important for safety and which elements can be replaced by the owner. Teach your teen about car maintenance and what should be done for the vehicle to run smoothly. Also, educate them on vehicle service coverage and how to find a mechanic. Carputty-coverage offers car insurance for teens at affordable prices, and it also has a policy of insuring your vehicle.
Discuss payment terms
Do not feel obligated to buy your teen a car outright. You can use this car to teach your teen good money management skills. Decide on the terms you’d like them to abide by. For example, tell them they must keep a certain grade in school in order to keep their car. They’re responsible for gas money, so they will have to complete all of their chores at the home for money. If they’re heading to college you can offer to make the car payments until they have a part-time job to pay their half. It’s essential that you can afford the monthly payments and other costs of owning a vehicle. Make sure your teen knows what their part of the payment is going towards so they feel invested in making sure their first car works well and is safe.
Go for a late-model used car
There are several advantages to buying a late-model used car. For one, you’ll be getting a car in good condition and has been inspected by a mechanic. You won’t have to worry about the vehicle breaking down on your teen, as it will already have been taken care of by its previous owner. The old cars are perfect for teens because they are cheaper than new models and still offer the same amount of safety and comfort as newer models do. Moreover, the cars will already have been through the car insurance process, so you won’t have to worry about that either.
Conclusion
The best way to ensure that your teen has a safe car to drive is by educating them on how to drive, maintain the car, and what parts of the vehicle should be replaced. This will help you avoid significant problems with your teen’s first car. It will also give you peace of mind knowing that you’re doing all you can to ensure your teen has a safe and reliable vehicle to drive.