Fuel Your Teen's Passion For Driving With The Perfect First Motor

If your offspring is ready for their first set of wheels, you might be at a loss as to what sort of car to buy them. They might be contributing half of the cost for you to match. This is an effective way of teaching your child the value of money as well as ensuring that they care about the vehicle they will end up driving. With their own hard earned cash invested in the asset, they will be more likely to take care of it, keep it well maintained and ensure that the depreciation is kept at a minimum. Being a responsible parent, you want your little darling, to have the most enjoyable driving experience, but at the same time, you are eager for them to be safe and risk averse. 

Take a look at this guide to help you select the perfect first motor for the new driver in your home.

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Go Used
The newest car on the market is not necessarily the safest, and it certainly won’t be the most financially sound proposition. For your child, a well maintained used car with a full service history is ideal. The car won’t depreciate by thousands the moment it is driven from the forecourt, you should still get a reasonable warranty with the vehicle, and the set of wheels will be much more affordable. If finances are tight, opt for a smaller vehicle that is a lower insurance group meaning that your child won’t be paying over the odds for running the car legally. Don’t put the safety credentials of the potential car purchase in jeopardy simply to get a cheaper motor. If needed, check out the latest auto loan rates and budget accordingly to ensure your teen has the necessary side impact bars, airbags, and technology to limit the chances of injury should a collision occur.

Test Drive
Just because you might like the look of a motor, don’t forget that this is a vehicle for your offspring. They need to be the one that feels comfortable, safe and secure in the driving seat. Go along with them for a test drive in the passenger seat and listen out for any noises, grinds or judders. If there is something untoward, walk away. If your child enjoys the drive and it ignites a passion for heading out on the open road, begin price negotiations.

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Safety Ratings
If you aren’t sure what sort of motor to go for, think about safety before anything else. Head onto the Euro NCAP safety rating website to find detailed reports for most cars on the market today. This details the sorts of technology within the car you are looking to purchase, their weaknesses, their safety strengths and an overall star rating. Ensure that your child doesn’t slip into bad habits, remains alert and utilizes everything they have learned in their lessons when heading out on the open road on their own for the first time.

While daunting and scary, it’s important that you help facilitate your child’s freedom. Fostering an enjoyment of driving will ensure that your teen driver will have an innate respect for the road, other road users, and their vehicle.

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By Iconic Chica Mag Contributors