Q: My granddaughter is turning 15 this month and we’re preparing to buy her first car. We are interested in your recommendation as to what might be considered a relatively safe car that is mid-price or lower. Any suggestions and/or help would be greatly appreciated.
A: First, I wouldn’t for a second consider a brand new car. She would no doubt love having a shiny new vehicle, but I’d rather you get the best 2-, 3- or 4- year-old car you can find for the money in your budget.
Second, I don’t love the idea of a “hot car” for kids her age, as I have too often seen kids (yes, girls, not just boys) try to live up to the image of the muscle car or the funky car, and that’s never good.
I don’t like teeny cars for inexperienced drivers, as the accident rate for them is very high, and I want a fair amount of substance wrapped around them. I also don’t love big tank-like vehicles for that age group. Although some parents feel that the bulk of a massive vehicle gives an extra layer of protection, there can also be careening in rain or snow or even cornering which many adults have enough muscle memory to handle and which young people do not (not to mention problems related to parking which can lead to hundreds of dollars in fender-bender expenses).
I’m not big on paying for navigations systems for teens in most cases because I want eyes forward constantly. The exception is if the kid travels in iffy neighborhoods often and might need nav to escape a potentially dangerous situation (though most have nav capability on the smart phones they all carry).
I urge you to get the safest possible compact or mid-size car you can afford loaded with airbags and other safety equipment, one that gets high ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (go to IIHS.org and type in the makes and models you’re considering).
Finally, insist she not text or drink or drug and drive, and take the car away if she does.
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What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.