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Shopping for Your Teen's First Vehicle
A safety guide for parents By Sharon Waldrop
It seems like just yesterday when you saw chubby little fingers grip the handlebars of a shiny red tricycle. Eventually, the tricycle is upgraded to a two-wheeler -- without training wheels.
Today, the fingers aren't so little anymore. Yesterday's small child has visions of his hands on a steering wheel instead of handlebars. His thoughts are about tomorrow night's date, not last night's bedtime story. It's time to help your teenager shop for his first car.
Sharon White of California purchased a car for her son shortly after his 17th birthday. Sharon's son was thinking "sports car." Sharon was thinking "big and heavy."
"He wanted something that would be a cool ride to the beach," she says. "I wanted something that would increase his chances of surviving a serious accident."
Some of the most important factors that influence safety are size, durability and dependability. A stalled car on a busy highway can be hazardous, as can a vehicle that won't start after dark or in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
It's also wise to get a reliability report from the Better Business Bureau. You'll be able to find out if a car lot or dealership has a record of selling faulty vehicles.
Investigate the vehicle's recall record. Have any parts been recalled by the manufacturer? Have they been replaced?
If possible, check out the repair record of a used car. A well-maintained engine is likely to get your teen from point A to point B on a daily basis. Whether or not you have access to the vehicle's repair record, have the vehicle thoroughly inspected by a professional mechanic that you select and hire.
"I have done business with hundreds of parents in particular," says Andrzej P. Szarek, owner of A's Auto Service in San Mateo, Calif. "They are worried for the safety of their teens and want them to have something reliable, something that won't break down in the proverbial cornfield."
