So, it is time for your teenager to get behind the wheel. You have probably been their only rider with them for a few months and you are ready to say that your child can safely drive without you.
Well, the next question is; “What are they going to drive?”.
You are probably ready to have your car back but that might also mean that you have to make an investment in a new car for your teen. Before you run out to buy a new car, let’s go through the option of a used car.
New Car vs Used Car
If you think about it, you may not want to put your child in a brand new car. First, you are going to have to think about the fact that new cars begin to depreciate the very moment you drive them off the lot. Should your child total it, you aren’t likely going to get back the full amount of the car and this can be a nightmare insurance situation that you can easily avoid.
Car insurance is the next thing to think about. A brand new car is going to have higher insurance rates and your teen is likely to be quoted pretty high insurance premiums. It might be more than they can afford on their own or it may exceed your budget. A used car will usually have lower insurance premiums which will make them more affordable.
Let’s face it, teens are not usually the world’s best drivers. They miscalculate distance and park close to people or objects. Dings tend to happen and scratches are not uncommon. If you want your nice new car to stay pretty and shiny, you may not want to give it to your teen to drive. A used car is going to retain its value a little bit better.
A used Chevy in Fort Lauderdale has some of the best resale values and they are good cars that come Certified Pre-Owned. While you are likely to get some grumpy comments from your teen, this might just be the best solution for the time being and who knows; your teen might start to cherish and appreciate having a car to travel around in.
In reality, no matter what you decide for your teen, owning a car whether new or used is going to be a life-changing experience. Your bundle of joy is now going to be in charge of his or her own life and while it is a sense of independence for them, it is also for you; no more are you going to constantly change your schedule to get them to where they need to go but rather, you now can do more of what you want to do and less of what you have to do.
