Best Used Cars for Teenagers

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: