Your teen went through driver's education class, received their permit, and spent a long time driving with you in the passenger seat before finally getting their license. Receiving their license to drive is a huge rite of passage that should be applauded and celebrated, but it should also be taken seriously because driving on their own is a big responsibility. When you are finally ready to purchase your teen their first vehicle, you may feel overwhelmed by your options. Thankfully, help is available. With this guide, you will learn what things to look for when buying your teen their first vehicle.

Affordability

If you are like many families, you will be buying your teen a vehicle that will be used solely by them, meaning it will be a second or even third vehicle in the household. Because it will be an additional vehicle, you will want the purchase to be as affordable as possible.

There are many parents who will go out and buy a brand-new vehicle for their teen, which can be risky. Not only are these new vehicles more expensive, but they are also more expensive to insure. If your teen is involved in an accident, repairs on a newer vehicle will most likely be costlier, too. New cars also depreciate very quickly, losing at least 20 percent of their value as soon as they are driven off the lot.

Since your teen is such a new driver and you want them to have an affordable vehicle that is also reliable, consider a somewhat used vehicle. Of course, you do not have to buy a vehicle older than your teen. Many experts recommend purchasing a vehicle that has been returned after a lease. One of these leased cars that is only 2 or 3 years old will be more affordable while still being under warranty.

Safety

When shopping for your teen's first vehicle, you should also focus on what safety features each model offers. Older models may not be equipped with some of the features today's models offer in standard packages. Again, a used vehicle that is only a few years old is affordable, but it will also most likely have many of these standard safety features.

Make sure the vehicle has anti-lock brakes, which helps your teen stay in control of the vehicle by preventing the brakes from locking up. Electronic stability control is also important. This feature senses when the vehicle is coming off its path, slowing the car down and braking if necessary to keep it the vehicle moving safely on its path.

Front-collision warning sensors are also helpful. These sensors will alert the driver if they are coming up too fast and too close on another vehicle or another object. In many models, the forward-collision warning will also include an emergency braking system, which slows/stops the car if it believes it will make impact with an object in front.

For backing up safely, a rearview camera system is ideal. This camera will sense any movement or objects behind the vehicle while the driver is backing up and reversing. Once movement or an object is sensed, the system will beep to alarm the driver.

Insurance

You most likely experienced a large increase in your auto insurance premiums when your teen received their license. Unfortunately, adding an extra vehicle to the policy will also cause an increase, so you need to purchase a vehicle that is more affordable to insure.

The most affordable vehicles to insure will be affordable to repair if involved in an accident and less likely to be in an accident. Also, vehicles that are less likely to be vandalized or stolen are also easier and more affordable to insure. Vehicles equipped with many safety features are also good options.

Avoid high-end luxury vehicles, sports cars, and electric cars if you want your teen's new vehicle to be affordable to insure. Contact a dealership that offers vehicles like used Kias for sale to learn more.