This year I will be shopping for a pickup truck for my oldest son. I can not believe he is turning SIXTEEN this year!! Every-time I say that people always as, “So, does that make you feel old?” NO, it does not! I actually still feel very young at heart. I wonder if anyone ever feels old? My grandmother is in her 80’s and if you ask her she will tell you she is 29 years old.
Sorry, got a little off topic there…..back to looking at pickup trucks. There are so many different things to consider when shopping for your child their first vehicle. The reason we would like a pickup truck is because he will be able to haul items if he needs to plus, if we get a small pickup truck he will not be able to have a lot of people in the truck with him. hehe 🙂 A rule I will not have to enforce because there will be no room!
Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a vehicle for your child:
- Safety! ~ How many people do you want to be in the vehicle. Think about the size of the vehicle you are getting. Make sure the car is in good condition with updated safety features like airbags and electronic stability control. Check out the crash test and safety ratings.
- Gas Millage ~ Try to get a vehicle they, or you, will not be having to put a lot of gas into. You know how much teenagers like to run the roads.
- Cost ~ Are you buying new or used? Really, I do not see a reason for a teenager to have a brand new car. Just as long as the safety features are up to date and good tires a used vehicle should be fine. You might also consider doing a background check on the vehicle. For $30 to $40, services like Carfax and AutoCheck can tell you if a vehicle has been in an accident. But those reports aren’t foolproof. Have a mechanic perform a thorough inspection.
- Insurance Cost ~ Call your insurance company and talk with them about what vehicles may be best for your teen to drive and keep the cost down. Usually, they will suggest the vehicles with higher safety rankings because they are usually less expensive to insure. Also, be sure to ask about a good student discount or another other discounts available.
The most important task of all will come after you have purchased the car. Setting Boundaries!
- Limit the number of passengers your teen can have in his or her car at any one time.
- Establish a “no cell phone” policy to ensure that your teen does not text or call while driving.
- Discuss what to do in cases of emergency, including accidents and adverse weather conditions.
Kathleen Quinlan says
I totally agree with you. I would not get my son a new car, the insurance is high as it is. Having a safety check. I used to work for Goodyear for 9 years as a Service Manager. I can only tell you Toyota’s , Subaru’s and Honda’s are a great used car to buy.
elaine says
big is better … least that’s what my dad told me
nicole dz says
gas millage and safety is my two important things overall. Insurance is also a factor, and I would definitely talk to them about texting and driving. So many things fall into place when purchasing there first car. Very huge decision.
denise low says
Nowadays it costs alot to get a teenager started. I am glad them years are over for us.
Evelyn Chuter says
Thanks for those tips because my granddaughter will be sixteen next year and I dread the car thing. And my father is 85 years old and if you mention getting old to him, he gets insulted. I’m 56 and no, I do not feel old at all.
Cassandra Kelton says
Great tips! I have a stepdaughter turning 16 in a few months and she is actually wanting a pickup truck too!