New or Used Car for teenager

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m inclined toward a hand me down with a known history, as compared to a regular used car or a new one.

It needs to be new enough to have strong safety features and crashworthiness ratings. I personally think a lot of the “safety” technology is just distracting.

Size is a double edged sword. Bigger is usually safer but smaller is easier to drive and park.

I think perhaps the most important thing is that it be in good repair in terms of reliable starting and running, good brakes and good tires.

It needs to be powerful enough to get out of its own way but not a rocket ship.

The more boring the styling the better.

Bigger is not safer. All modern cars have crumple zones and a protective cage. Bigger cars are more likely to crash because they are a larger target and less agile, and more likely to cause more damage (liability).

[Anonymous]

Ours will get our EV and I'll be getting a new car. It will be our oldest vehicle, but still has all the safety features we would want. If I was buying one for them, I'd go with a 2020-2022 CRV or similar car.

[Anonymous]

Bumping this up.
We have two kids (almost 18 and 16.5) with new licenses. Ideally each would have a car to use. They go to different schools and have jobs, and my husband and I both work full time, sometimes in the office, so we are anxious to be done with the schlepping around. Theoretically, we could give one of them my husband's 2014 Acadia, but I think it is too big for a teen to be driving around. Do people typically purchase a used car for their kids, or make them pay for part of it? We will make them pay for their own gas, but what about insurance? Do people make their kids contribute toward insurance? I'm thinking of saying we will pay up to $10K for a used car that must have a rearview camera, no accident history, and preferably under 100K miles. What is the best source for used cars? Dealerships? I'm a bit leery of Facebook Marketplace.

[Anonymous]

Our first teen driver will get my wife’s current car next year (and she will get a new one). It’s a slightly aging but very safe mini SUV. The trick is that it’s a Benz. I know I know… We don’t have an issue with this as it will be old enough by the time he gets it to not be that precious or luxurious to most people (at least in our area). It will be way cheaper than any new car and they are safe and reliable. We know the whole history of the car and we also wouldn’t be scared if it ever broke down on him. It’s a good learning lesson and isn’t that the fun of driving when you were young anyways?

If it’s still around by the time his younger brother is ready, and the oldest is in college—then it will get passed down again I would imagine.

[Anonymous]

No way on new. Cousins kid has totaled 2 cars so far.

[Anonymous]

If you can afford to then buy them a car that lasts until they are full time employed and financially stable enough to buy one themselves. Not many are able to do that before 26.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget that for many years, you'll be paying for maintenance and repairs.

[Anonymous]

Neither - used mainstream. Not sure how this is even a question. And make the kid save and pay for half of it (or pay you back).

[Anonymous]

Our teens were usually able to use our one car, which was neither new nor a luxury model. We minimize driving and use metro to commute. We also didn't have both kids living at home and driving at the same time. Younger DC is 22 now and has full possession of the 2012 Forester he drove in HS, which he loves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this up.
We have two kids (almost 18 and 16.5) with new licenses. Ideally each would have a car to use. They go to different schools and have jobs, and my husband and I both work full time, sometimes in the office, so we are anxious to be done with the schlepping around. Theoretically, we could give one of them my husband's 2014 Acadia, but I think it is too big for a teen to be driving around. Do people typically purchase a used car for their kids, or make them pay for part of it? We will make them pay for their own gas, but what about insurance? Do people make their kids contribute toward insurance? I'm thinking of saying we will pay up to $10K for a used car that must have a rearview camera, no accident history, and preferably under 100K miles. What is the best source for used cars? Dealerships? I'm a bit leery of Facebook Marketplace.

I think there is a wide range of “typical” in our area. We’re in suburban DMV, most of my kids’ friends have a car that is theirs to use. Many were handed down, some were purchased new. We’re in the new car camp because neither of our cars were ready or reasonable to pass on to a new driver and the used car market was ridiculous last year. The price difference between new and used was so small it made no sense to buy used.

As far as their financial contribution, my philosophy may not be typical, but I see my teen driving as a luxury for ME. I’m not sharing a car or spending any time driving them. I would estimate 90% of my kid’s trips are ones I would otherwise be making, spending my time and wear and tear on my vehicle. I don’t have a kid who drives around as an activity, they are going to private school, a high commitment sport, and social activities in a reasonable radius. 400-500 miles per month with cheaper gas and better mileage than my vehicle. Therefore, I don’t expect them to pay for anything car related, unless there are tickets or something. I ask them to drive a sibling or run an errand, that’s “payment” for the privilege of having a car for their use.

[Anonymous]

My first cars were so random. My father’s friend owned a used car lot and he bought cars from him. My had a company car and a two seater sports car where I learned to drive stick shift. My mother always had some boring car that smelled like dirty diapers because so many kids were in and out of it.

I was a tiny 16 year old who drove a giant car that was a convertible. Then I had a really old car I can’t remember what brand but it had a peeling roof and was really fast. Than a Volvo that was slow moving .

My first car, the big boat car I would get stuck in parking spots because I never knew which way to turn left or right. I would have to wait until some kind gentleman stopped to help me.

My son got a 5 year old Nissan Maxima and he loved that car so much. Not long after he got it his girlfriend totaled it.

[Anonymous]

IMO teens need to feel connected to the car and the road and luxury vehicles are designed to insulate the driver from both - too powerful engines and noise dampening are not great for new drivers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this up.
We have two kids (almost 18 and 16.5) with new licenses. Ideally each would have a car to use. They go to different schools and have jobs, and my husband and I both work full time, sometimes in the office, so we are anxious to be done with the schlepping around. Theoretically, we could give one of them my husband's 2014 Acadia, but I think it is too big for a teen to be driving around. Do people typically purchase a used car for their kids, or make them pay for part of it? We will make them pay for their own gas, but what about insurance? Do people make their kids contribute toward insurance? I'm thinking of saying we will pay up to $10K for a used car that must have a rearview camera, no accident history, and preferably under 100K miles. What is the best source for used cars? Dealerships? I'm a bit leery of Facebook Marketplace.

I think there is a wide range of “typical” in our area. We’re in suburban DMV, most of my kids’ friends have a car that is theirs to use. Many were handed down, some were purchased new. We’re in the new car camp because neither of our cars were ready or reasonable to pass on to a new driver and the used car market was ridiculous last year. The price difference between new and used was so small it made no sense to buy used.

As far as their financial contribution, my philosophy may not be typical, but I see my teen driving as a luxury for ME. I’m not sharing a car or spending any time driving them. I would estimate 90% of my kid’s trips are ones I would otherwise be making, spending my time and wear and tear on my vehicle. I don’t have a kid who drives around as an activity, they are going to private school, a high commitment sport, and social activities in a reasonable radius. 400-500 miles per month with cheaper gas and better mileage than my vehicle. Therefore, I don’t expect them to pay for anything car related, unless there are tickets or something. I ask them to drive a sibling or run an errand, that’s “payment” for the privilege of having a car for their use.

You are wealthy so the cost is not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Buy something they will enjoy and love having. This way they will take care of it.

[Anonymous]

The Chevy Trailblazer and Chevy Trax are the number one New Teen Cars in the United States

I honestly think due to wildly inflated prices of used cars a new little SUV priced at 23k makes sense. You get warranty and latest safety features

Still weird teen drivers in 2024 cars. I like the 2024 Trax