Guide To Your Teen’s First Car

Last updated on May 13th, 2023 at 04:23 am

The big day is finally here — your child has turned 16 and has his or her driver’s license. You might think the hard part is over, but all those sudden stops and near-misses while he or she was learning to drive were only the beginning. There’s a much trickier road to navigate now, with its fill of bumps and potholes.

Preparing your son or daughter to buy his or her first car can be no less panic inducing than those first tentative lurches out of the driveway. However, there’s no reason you need to white-knuckle your way through the process. With a little bit of prep work and some frank conversations, buying your teenager’s first ride can go a lot smoother.

For example, it’s a good idea to set your price ceiling and stick to it. If you see a car that looks great, but costs more than you’re prepared to spend, don’t be afraid to walk away and find something else. It’s not worth the additional financial burden.

Of course, you also should take the time to visit multiple lots and do some comparison shopping. At the very least, you’ll get a sense of the fair market value for the type of car you want.

Nothing may have prepared you for teaching your teen how to drive but preparing to buy his or her first car can be a lot easier. For more tips about how you can help as well as what to do after you buy the vehicle, take a look at the accompanying infographic resource.

Infographic created by Capital Auto Auction