When kids want to start driving, parents worry about many things. Safety is one of the foremost concerns. Finances are one of the next things on the list. Buying and taking care of a vehicle is very expensive, and parents have to find ways to manage the situation without going broke.
Buying a used car is a practical choice, but it’s crucial to purchase from a reputable source to ensure you’re getting good value. Consider visiting a Chevrolet dealership near me, where you can find a variety of certified pre-owned vehicles. These vehicles have been thoroughly inspected and refurbished to meet specific certification standards, ensuring that you are investing in a car that is not only affordable but also reliable and in excellent condition.
Being a parent comes with a long list of financial responsibilities. From daily expenses to saving for college, every penny counts. One smart way to stretch your budget is by opting for a pre-owned vehicle. Not only can this save you money upfront, but it can also lead to lower insurance premiums and less depreciation over time. If you’re considering this route, finding a reliable used car dealership near me can make the process smoother and more convenient, ensuring you get the best value for your hard-earned money.
Teens may want a brand-new car, but they must understand that this might not be financially smart. New cars are often more expensive and tend to lose value once driven off the car dealerships near me. Parents might want to consider looking for used cars that are often less expensive and can still be safe to drive.
Insurance is another thing for parents and their teen drivers to worry about. Dirt cheap car insurance is hard to find for new drivers, but the type of car they are driving could ease the burden. Some vehicles are deemed much safer than others, and insurance companies may appreciate this effort to insure a safe vehicle.
#1 – Older Cars Are Less Valuable
Used cars are often going to be cheaper to purchase than those of their newer counterparts. The value depreciates the second a vehicle has been taken off the market. There are various other factors considered when pricing a used car, and parents should be aware of as many as possible.
While money is often a huge factor for prospective car buyers, you don’t want to compromise safety for a better deal. Make sure the car you are thinking about buying is reliable. No amount of discounts is worth driving a car that could get someone killed. Check for any functional issues with the vehicle and whether it has seat belts, airbags, and non-shattered windshields.
There are also older cars known for having high safety ratings. This gives you the best of both worlds. The Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and many Subaru vehicles are highly recommended for new drivers. They are simple to drive, fuel-efficient, and get you from one point to another in one piece.
#2 – Insurance Discounts
You can save money on car insurance much easier with an older vehicle model than with a new sports car. This is especially helpful for your wallet when you have a new driver in the family. It’s already pricier to insure teenage drivers than any other demographic.
If you buy a used car, it’s less expensive to add your teenager to an insurance policy that covers a Honda Accord than if you add them to one for your Corvette or Mustang. sports car are expensive to insure for various reasons, including the vehicle’s value and the cost of replacing damaged parts.
Sports cars are often considered dangerous because they can go faster than other vehicles. Combine this with the statistics showing teens get into more accidents, and you have the perfect recipe for an expensive insurance policy.
Safe family cars are a great sign to an insurance company that your teen is ready to drive safely. Your teen can further prove they are a good driver by following the rules of the road and going to driving school.
#3 – Sharing a Car Prevents More Purchases
Another way you can save money on a used car is if you share it with the family. When kids get a new car, they are very possessive of it. They want it to be only their car. If the alternative is not driving, most kids will be okay with sharing a car with their parents and siblings.
This might convince them it’s okay for others in the family to drive the car. There is an understanding they will be able to buy and drive their own new car in the future. Sharing a car can teach teens about selflessness and the value of efficient buying.
Sharing a vehicle can also teach your teen driver about time management and organization skills, such as coordinating who is driving the car and when will take some family planning time.
#4 – A Used Car Might Have Fewer Added Features
One of the reasons used cars are cheaper than new cars is that they have fewer advanced features installed in them. When you buy a new vehicle, many modern technology enhancements make it more expensive. People sometimes don’t realize they can still be safe without driving a fancy car.
Older cars didn’t always have luxury features like heated seats, high-tech stereo speakers, or entertainment packages such as televisions for backseat passengers to watch. Many of these features drive the price up on newer cars, leaving customers searching for cheaper alternatives. Buying an older, used car can help with this problem.
Make sure the older car you buy has enough safety features to protect you and your passengers in a car accident. Finding this balance between unnecessary and functional enhancements often depends on preference and the amount of money you’re willing to spend.
#5 – Buying a Used Car Can Teach Your Teen to Work for New Purchases
Buying a used car teaches your teenager they need to work for pricey items. If you reward them with a new car right after they get their license, you run the risk of them getting spoiled. Young people need to gradually work their way up to buying expensive new items for themselves. This can translate into other areas of their life.
When teens want to buy a house or rent an apartment, they know they won’t be able to get the most expensive version of the product right away. Buying used stuff is an efficient and effective way to save up while you accumulate money for more luxury items later in life.
Your teen may not understand why they need a used car. Show them the financial impact of buying a used vehicle, and they might be more understanding of why they can’t drive a new one right away.
With the used car market booming more now than ever, it may be a good learning experience for your teen to go with you to the dealership to learn about supply and demand. Seeing all aspects of the car buying process will be a tremendous life-learning tool for your teen to remember well into adulthood.
Be open and honest about what you can and can’t afford and why you are making the car-buying decisions that you are making. Communication is always the key to a great relationship with your teen driver.
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, BuyAutoInsurance.com. He wants to help families understand the rewards of buying used cars.