New drivers can start their journey with new or used vehicles. Each has advantages, which we’ll explore in this article.
The Advantages of New Vehicles
The pros of new vehicles include less maintenance and the addition of safety features, such as rearview cameras, collision detectors, lane assist, and tire pressure indicators. Because of these safety features, insurance rates may be lower.
Newer cars are also less likely to break down and need costly repairs. You can browse dealership websites to find new cars for sale and explore their safety features and prices.
Some new vehicles even have parental control systems or teen driver telematics systems. Depending on the system, parents can set the radio to shut off if seat belts are not engaged. They can get notified if vehicles reach certain audio and speed limits.
Many new vehicles facilitate phone connectivity, which encourages hands-free driving. Teens can use voice assistants and GPS more easily rather than fumble with their phones while driving. If phone use seems inevitable, hands-free is the way to go.
The Advantages of Used Vehicles
Used vehicles have their pros, of course. As touched on earlier, the more recent ones are likely to have many safety features and the corresponding lower insurance rates. You can sometimes find vehicles with relatively low mileage, too.
Teens may feel less stress driving a cheaper car. Minor accidents, such as hitting a car’s wheel on the curb and dinging a bumper, are less of a deal with used vehicles. If new drivers won’t drive far, then safety features might be less of a priority. For example, if they drive only a few miles daily to school and work, they spend much less time on the road.
Used vehicles are overall more affordable. If you choose the right type of vehicle, you can be sure about the car’s history and condition. Go with certified pre-owned cars if you want warranty coverage and a guarantee that the vehicles meet certain safety standards.
On the con side, the interest rates can be higher for loans on used vehicles. That is because the values of used cars are less predictable, and the vehicles might require more repairs. Lenders know that many consumers, if faced with making a car payment or paying for a repair, choose the repair.
The Advantages of Doing Both Options
Some families with new teen drivers go this route: They buy a new vehicle for the parents (or one of the parents) and reserve the older vehicle for the new driver to operate. Sometimes, the new driver shares the older vehicle with other family members.
This approach makes even more sense if it is time for your family to upgrade its main vehicle.
Which Car Will Your New Driver Get?
The answer to whether drivers should get new or used vehicles comes down to what they can afford, the new driver’s comfort level with a new car, and how much time the driver will be in the car. Either option can prove to be an excellent choice for your new driver.