Choosing the right first car for your teen driver  

Having trouble figuring out the best type of vehicle to select for a new teenage driver? You obviously want them to be safe and they apparently want to look cool. There is a happy medium, things I wished my parents thought of when I got my first beater- consider the following tips:

Avoid SUVs and small cars. For many good reasons, conventional truck-based sport-utility vehicles aren’t recommended for first-time drivers, nor are small cars. A higher center of mass in large SUVs usually gives them unforgiving handling characteristics compared to passenger cars. Abrupt maneuvers, distraction from friends, or simply “fooling around” could lead to a rollover accident. Small cars should be avoided because they do not always provide the occupant protection that larger cars do, especially in collisions with other larger vehicles, and teens are for obvious reasons more at risk for being involved in accidents. Inexperienced new drivers should have a moderate-sized vehicle with stable, predictable handling characteristics.

Steer clear of flamboyant sports car models and models with a strong performance image. The reason is obvious! According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an insurance-industry affiliate, the statistics show that younger people are more likely to be in a speed-related crash in such vehicles. Chalk it up to peer pressure, the sound and feel of these cars, and the way they’re marketed. That doesn't mean they won't speed in the other cars, just that you aren't encouraging it, with the type of car you choose for them.

Choose a model with good performance, but not high performance. You don’t want your younger driver in an underpowered slug, because some power is necessary for safe passing maneuvers and merging. Imagine merging onto the Schuylkill Expressway with no power. On the other hand, it shouldn’t have so much power that encourages spirited driving, if not reckless driving. Avoid older diesel models and midsize four-cylinder cars from the 1980s, for example. We have all driven or at least have been a passenger in those beasts. They were like trains barreling down the road.

Newer is generally better. Newer models offer more safety features, plus they have better structural crash protection. Newer cars are also less likely to suffer from stalling problems or other component failures that might cause a lack of control, especially for inexperienced drivers. Worthwhile safety features to look for on late-model cars include anti-lock brakes and dual airbags. Even ten year old cars have decent safety features. You don't necessarily have to only look for something made in this century.

Automatic for new drivers. While many driving schools recommend simultaneously teaching teens on both manual- and automatic-transmission cars, it’s a good idea to put your new driver in a car that does the shifting for itself. Real-world driving distractions that aren’t issues during learning, like eating, talking to passengers, trying to find directions, or tuning the radio while driving, can easily fluster a new driver who also has to worry about shifting in traffic. If he or she really wants a manual gearbox, make that their second car in a year or more and trade the first one in.

So what’s best? Most auto experts, consumer groups, and insurance industry officials agree that the best cars for new teen drivers are late-model midsize sedans: cars like the Chevrolet Lumina, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, or Honda Civic. These vehicles provide a good combination of decent handling and performance along with good occupant protection. Look to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and also with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for crash test results, and check with Consumer Reports for advice on reliability and other safety issues.

Hopefully you and your teen driver will find some common ground: With a little luck, you might just find that special car that’s safe, not too hideous, and - of course - has a good stereo.

© 2001 The Car Connection

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