One of the most exciting aspects of anyone’s teenage years is gaining the ability to drive. For parents, that thought can be nerve-racking. However, one of the difficulties less talked about online is the financial burden many parents face in the process.
Buying a car isn’t cheap and sharing your vehicle with your child comes with a high potential for insurance liability, not to mention the logistics of who needs the car and when. That makes used cars highly attractive, but how can you guarantee that you’re buying a reliable model? Check out these best used cars for teenagers.
Characteristics of a Great First Car
Every parent’s worst fear is their child getting into accident. When that accident was caused by a faulty vehicle, you’ll find yourself needing legal representation like this personal injury attorney in Santa Ana in the best case scenario. So, it’s essential that you make sure any used car they drive is up to par.
Parents should create a checklist when helping their teenagers shop for a vehicle. While they might only care about how the car looks, you need to make sure that any car you’re considering meets these safety standards:
- The brakes can handle sudden stops even at highway speeds
- The car’s handling is ideal for sudden stops
- It scores high on the IIHS crash test and safety rating system
- The parts that comprise the car are in good shape and offer long-term reliability
- The vehicle does not have a severe accident in its history
Other aspects you might want to consider are the car’s gas mileage for your teen’s commutes or trips, as well as any included safety features like lane assist or blind spot monitoring. Depending on how well your teen is picking up parallel parking, you might also want to consider a model with a backup camera.
Best Small Cars
If you and your teen are set on something compact, which happens to be a great money saver, then there are plenty of quality options on the market. The following vehicles meet all of the top characteristics for an exceptional used car:
- 2014 Mazda 3
- 2014 Subaru Impreza
- 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT
- 2019 Kia Forte
- 2018 Kia Niro
- 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback
- 2018 Subaru Crosstrek
- 2017 Toyota Prius Prime
Best Midsize Cars
If you’re looking for something larger, then midsize is the next best option. You can pick up the following models for anywhere between $7,600 and $18,600. Like the smaller sized choices, there are plenty of options here as well.
- 2013 Subaru Legacy
- 2013 Subaru Outback
- 2013 Honda Accord, sedan or coupe
- 2016 Volkswagen Jetta
- 2015 Mazda 6
- 2016 Volkswagen Passat
- 2015 Toyota Prius v
- 2016 Lincoln MKZ
- 2017 Volvo S60
- 2019 Nissan Altima
- 2017 Audi A3
- 2017 BMW 3-Series Sedan
Other Options and Consideration
All of the above vehicles make ideal used vehicles for your teen. Keep in mind, however, that a safe car only goes so far. You need to make sure your teen is a safe driver, as well. Make sure to talk with them about defensive driving as well as the dangers of distracted driving.
Drinking and driving is another important conversation to have before your teen needs a Boulder DUI attorney. If you’re looking for more options outside of small and mid-sized vehicles, consider the following:
- 2016 Hyundai Genesis
- 2014 Mazda CX-5
- 2016 Buick Encore
- 2016 Subaru Forester
- 2014 GMC Terrain
- 2016 Kia Sorento
- 2015 Toyota Sienna
- 2015 Honda Odyssey