Used vs New Car for a Teen Driver

Nov 17, 2020

Is new or used a better choice for a first car?

You’ll probably always remember your first car. Once you get your license, the vehicle that you end up with, whether it was a new vehicle that the My Sweet Sixteen kids would dream about, or just your mom’s old minivan, having a set of wheels to get you wherever you needed to go was a huge step toward adulthood and freedom.

While you may remember your first car, you also probably remember the first time you got in an accident while driving it. Whether it was a minor fender bender or a more serious accident, teen drivers are more likely to get in an accident, especially the first year after getting a license. To help mitigate the possibility of an accident, there are many people who think that getting a new vehicle with all the bells and whistles is the best course of action.

If you’re going to be buying your first car, or your teenager’s first car, one of the most important choices that you have to make is if you’re going to buy a new or used vehicle. There are pros and cons for both choices.

Benefits of a New Car

New cars have the benefit of advanced safety options that can help keep your child safe. On top of all of the safety features, a new car is likely going to last longer than a vehicle that is ten years older with 100,000 miles more. That means that the new car will probably get your child through college and beyond.

All of the safety features can be useful, but they may also act as a crutch, leaving someone who forgets to check their blind spot or waits too long to hit the brake. A new car begins depreciating the second you drive it off the lot, and having a young driver who is still learning the rules of the road and possibly causing damage to the vehicle doesn’t help mitigate rapid depreciation.

Buying a Used Car for a young driver

If you buy a used vehicle, you are giving up some of the safety features that are standard on newer vehicles. Of course, you can get used cars that are within a couple of years of the current models, and they may have all of the fancy features. An older vehicle might not even have electronic stability control, which has been a standard feature on all vehicles since 2012.

While some of these features can help mitigate an accident, there isn’t really a way to completely remove human error yet, and it is likely that a teen driver will drive recklessly. If they cause an accident in an older car, and the vehicle is damaged, it won’t be as problematic as it would if they scratch a brand-new vehicle.

Should you get a new or used first car for a young driver?

When buying a new or used car for a young driver, it is important to know what you’re looking for in a vehicle. You should weigh all of your options. A brand-new, fresh off the line vehicle is likely not going to the best choice for your young driver, but neither is an old beater that’s been around the block a few thousand times.

Buying a gently used buy fairly recent vehicle is going to be one of the safest, reliable, and budget friendly choices. If you’re worried about your budget, visit OkCarz to find out more about financing and credit options. When you find the right vehicle, it is easy to apply for pre-approval on the OkCarz website.