There is nothing better than buying or receiving a present, and many parents are happy to buy something for their children. Many of them choose to buy a new car for their teenager, especially for their 16th birthday, if they live in some USA states. But, in the rest of the world, teenagers can take the driving license after they turn 18. That is why some parents choose to buy them a car as a gift, to celebrate their birthday and adulthood.
Buying a car is not an easy task. There are a lot of things that you should be careful of, never mind if you are buying it for yourself or your teen. It’s normal to have so many questions, but we can try to find the answers you need before you buy a new vehicle.
Here are some of the important things you should be aware of:
1. Set a budget and stick to it
When you are buying a car, you need to set a budget, so you can always know how much money you have. Sometimes, there are many other expenses, so you need to consider buying a cheaper car, or used one, so you can save something for technical checking and service. Even the cheapest cars are pretty expensive for an average family, but you can buy it on a credit or with a financial arrangement, that will cost you $150-$300 per month for a few years. If you can pay the full cost, you may get a discount. Many sellers are open for negotiations, but the car is still an expensive investment for your family. You need to be sure that you will be able to pay the monthly rate, so you can avoid financial problems with the sellers. Leasing a car is also an option, but you should be careful about the rules that follow this type of agreement.
2. Make research: New or used?
This is also an important decision. There are a lot of “old” cars that are still good and the prices are much lower and affordable. You should know that both choices have pros and cons. Used cars are cheaper than new vehicles and tend to have lower insurance costs. New cars have updated safety features and fewer maintenance issues, but probably will cost more to insure.
Used cars
– cheaper than new vehicles
– lower insurance rates
– greater choice
New cars
– low initial costs
– following new trends and technologies
– up to date with safety standards
But, used vehicles may have hidden damages that you won’t see at the time you buy it, but it will cause problems later and will cost you a lot to fix them. Also, new vehicles you get a warranty that covers some of the costs, but many people say that the services will find a way to charge you something that needs to be covered.
Be careful, if some deal is too good to be true, it’s possible that something is wrong and the seller hides that and tries to sell the car (or to let it go and to be someone else’s problem). Don’t be afraid to ask someone who knows the cars better than you to help you make a decision. Don’t mind to ask them to come with you and fast check the vehicle, so you can avoid scams and risks.
3. Arrange a test drive
The serious sellers will allow you to take a test drive. This is an important step, so you can check if the car is what you want and what you need. If you are buying it for your teen, they also need to try it. If you buy the car as a surprise gift, you should trust your guts. If anything seems wrong, don’t let the seller make you believe that there is nothing to hide. Your personal feeling won’t lie to you and you can ask to see another model or even to call other sellers and arrange a new test drive and fast check. There is nothing wrong with that because you should be aware of all the potential issues and to buy the best model you can.
4. Safety and education
You can’t buy a car and give it to your child, without teaching them the important lessons about rules and regulations. You may buy the safest vehicle on the planet, but it’s in their hands to stay safe while they drive. So, try everything you can to make them aware of all of the possible dangers of unsafe driving.
5. Be aware of the costs
Your spending won’t stop at the moment you bring the car home. There will be more costs that you need to pay so you can assure the safety, and maybe the car will need some modifications and fixes, especially if it’s an old one. According to motor1, the insurance policy is a must, so you’ll spend some money there, and also, you need to register the vehicle in your name (or your teen’s name). To know more about this topic, visit here.
6. Style and personalization
When you want to make the gift for your teenager special, you have a lot of options that you can check. Some of them will cost you a lot of money, and some are cheap. You can always choose a custom color for the seats, or if your country’s laws allow it, you can get personalized license plates. If you want to know more about the personalized registration plates, you can visit online stores such as number1plates.com, and customize your own plate.
7. Hit the road!
Congratulations! Your family has a new car now. Be a responsible parent and teach your teens that they should respect the rules and laws, and give them an important lesson about safety. You may need to be with them the first time they drive the vehicle, be supportive and try not to lose your nerves. Enjoy the ride!
These are the basic steps you need to follow when you need to buy a car for you or your young adults at home. We hope that this guide was useful for you and now you have all of the information you need about this big decision.
