Advice for buying the kids a car

Buying a car for a teen can be an agonizing decision. Understanding that overall cost, safety and reliability are top concerns among parents buying a car for their teen, the new and used car experts at Kelley Blue Book have compiled a few tips to help parents find the right vehicle for the young driver in the family.

Buying a used car is often the more desirable and affordable choice among today’s parents and with the recent drop in used car values, two to five year–old vehicles are more affordable now than they have been in decades. According to the editors at Kelley Blue Book, parents today can find a good, safe, used car for their teen for between $7,000 to $10,000.

Kelley Blue Book Executive Editor Charlie Vogelheim recommends that parents looking for a used vehicle for their teen look into a certified used vehicle.

This means the vehicle has been through an extensive inspection by the manufacturer and carries some kind of limited warranty.

Even though certification is provided by the manufacturer, certified used vehicles are only sold through franchise new car dealers. "Usually the better low-mileage vehicles are the ones that become part of a certification program," says Vogelheim.

Do’s

1. Do your homework before buying anything.

2. Get vehicle ratings. Make sure to check the following: safety ratings/crash test results/rollover ratings—J.D. Power quality ratings on new cars—IntelliChoice five-year cost-of-ownership on new cars.

3. If you’re considering a used vehicle, have it checked by a local and reputable service shop. If the car will be purchased from an individual, print the private-party value from kbb.com as well as Kelley Blue Book’s 27-point vehicle condition quiz to take with you. These items will help you determine the ‘actual’ condition and value of the vehicle.

Don’ts

1. Don’t let your teen talk you into buying a vehicle you’re not comfortable with.

2. Don’t buy a car without driving it yourself.

Where to Start?

Kelley Blue Book Recommendation Tool provides suggestions for those who still haven’t decided on a make or model yet.

The Auto Choice Advisor will show you cars based on price, use and other attributes you choose.

Look at cost-of-ownership information from IntelliChoice. Every car depreciates, some more than others.

Fuel economy can be a burden on the parent as much as the teen.

Insurance costs; teenage drivers often have higher premiums.

Check J.D. Power Quality Ratings for information on the vehicle’s mechanical quality.

–Michael Binstock