Good cars for teen drivers

So you want to buy your newly licensed kid a car? Not sure where to begin or what to look for? Ultimately, there is no one car out there that is the best for a new driver. The majority of it all lies in the person behind the wheel. Teen drivers are less experienced and don't know how some driving situations might turn out, therefore certain qualities in a car should be avoided.

Large vehicles such as trucks, minivans and SUV should be avoided. These vehicles tend not to fit in as many spaces as a smaller car would. This would open your new driver up to such situations as banging into parked cars in the crowded mall parking lot and sideswiping anything from light poles to other cars. These types of vehicles often have a wider turning radius, making that left hand turn not as easy, which could cause a small accident. These vehicles also have a higher risk of rolling over, especially SUV's. If that turn is taken too tight and too fast, there is a very large possibility that the vehicle will tip.

In inclement weather, other than four wheel drive, front wheel drive is the safest. Rear wheel drive should be avoided because they tend to slip easier when hitting and ice patch, they don't do well in snow. SUV's and trucks are also rear wheel drive when the four wheel drive is not engaged.

Avoid luxury cars. In the event that something does happen, you don't want to have to foot the bill or those repairs. Everything in one of these vehicles is more expensive than a standard car, everything from the brakes to the struts.

Don't allow your new driver to use your vehicle. They should be using their own. Should something happen to your vehicle because they were driving it, it puts too much of a hardship on the family. You'll have to find a way to get to work or the grocery, you might have to pay for a rental. Over all, it is just not a good idea.

Sports cars are a big no-no. Anything that opens up the window for them to speed isn't good. Most of the time when accidents happen in young drivers, speed is a factor. Teens like to push the limits, especially speed when driving, don't give them the opportunity.

Make sure that vehicle has insurance. In the event that something does happen, it gives you protection. Don't just get liability; make sure that is fully covered. Should an accident happen and someone is hurt, you don't want to have to pay for someone else's medical care or fixing their car, leave that up to the insurance company.

When purchasing any vehicle, you should always make sure that the proper safety equipment is installed and working properly. This would include everything that would protect a driver in the event of a crash and prevent a crash; airbags, brakes, tires and so on.

Don't force your child to drive something that they don't want. Try to make it a joint decision. You ultimately have the last say in what they are driving, but you should at least allow them to make some of the decisions, after all they are the one that is going to be driving it.