When your child earns his or her driver's license, you might be thinking about buying your family's newest driver a used car to celebrate. While you might wish to find out what car the teenager wants, you may simply decide to shop on your own and find something suitable. While you'll want to be sure that the car suits your budget, there are a number of other criteria to keep in mind. It's worthwhile to explain your goal to the salesperson, as he or she will be able to offer some valuable suggestions. Here are some things to keep in mind when you buy a vehicle for your teenage driver.

Safety Rating

Certain vehicles have higher safety ratings than others, so it's worthwhile to both do your research and consult a sales rep about which models of vehicle tend to be safer. A vehicle's safety rating is determined through several criteria, including the vehicle's resistance to rolling over and the protection it offers its passengers in the event of a collision. While you don't want to think about your teen being in an accident, the reality is that this is a possibility. When you select a vehicle with a higher safety rating, you'll have more peace of mind.

Fewer Distracting Options

You'll likely speak seriously to your teen about distracted driving, but there are a number of features that can make a vehicle safer in this regard. For example, a vehicle that has controls on the steering wheel for the stereo, cruise control, and other features will allow your teen to use these functions without barely having to take his or her eyes off the road. Many cars also have hands-free options, giving your child the ability to sync his or her phone to the car's Bluetooth system and make calls without actually dialing the phone by hand.

Running Cost

In addition to considering the cost of the vehicle, you'll also want to consider how much the car costs to run. A smaller car that doesn't guzzle gas is worthwhile, as your teen may have limited funds from a part-time job that he or she doesn't want to constantly use for filling the vehicle. Consider which vehicles seldom need repairs, too. Even if it costs a little more for such a car, you'll potentially end up saving money in the long run by not having to constantly pay for repair work.

For more information, contact companies like North Lake Automotive.

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