5 First Time Used Car Buying Tips for Teens
Your teen is thrilled. You? Not so much, but it is a rite of passage. And that is, your teen getting a driver’s license and a set of wheels. Buying a car is the first big step your teen takes towards adulthood. So, it’s no wonder parents get a little antsy!
To help prepare, we’ve outlined some first time used car buying tips for teens to help navigate this important milestone.
Best Way to Buy A Used Car
For most teens, buying a new car is out of reach. That’s why it makes sense to buy a used vehicle. But not just any used vehicle. It’s important to buy a quality used car, one that has been thoroughly vetted and has a limited warranty.
While there are plenty of private sellers to choose from, you won’t get the reassurance of buying a vehicle that has been serviced from top to bottom by a reputable mechanic.
You’ll have to take those steps yourself, making an appointment with your mechanic to make sure the vehicle is in good working order.
Even so, if the car fails to perform in the first 30 days after the sale, you’ll face the prospect of costly repairs.
That’s why buying a used car from our Harrisonburg car dealership makes more sense.
Every used vehicle we sell must pass a stringent 75-point inspection by our certified Chevrolet technicians or the vehicle will not be listed for sale. What’s more, almost all our used car inventory are Carfax vehicles.
That’s an extra level of protection for you, the consumer. As a vehicle history expert for used cars, trucks, and SUVs, Carfax is widely respected in the industry. That’s why Joe Bowman Chevy is a Harrisonburg Carfax Advantage dealer.
Our sales team has access to Carfax Vehicle History Reports.™ So, any time you have a question about the vehicle you are considering for purchase, we can pull it up and share that vehicle’s history with you.
That means you don’t have to be a guru to buy a used car. Carfax has made that unnecessary.
Finally, our dealership extends either a 30 or 90-day warranty on every used vehicle we sell. The warranty length is dependent on the mileage.
Buying from our dealership provides you with many more benefits than buying privately. Plus, we offer service after the sale.
When your vehicle needs servicing or repair, we can provide you with courtesy transportation and preferred service scheduling.
Know Your Car Buying Budget
Know how much money you can realistically spend. Since most teens don’t have a credit history, a parent will have to either buy the car or co-sign for the vehicle.
Make sure you include the cost of titling and registering your vehicle, too. With our simple interest loans, you can also make additional payments in addition to your regular car payment.
The more you can apply to the principal, the quicker you can pay off your loan. A rule of thumb for estimating your monthly payment is this: You’ll need to pay about $25 per month for every $1000 you spend with a 48-month loan.
But it’s not just the upfront costs of buying a car you need to plan for. You’ll have maintenance costs, gas, taxes, and car insurance. Make sure you include these costs as part of car ownership.
Wait. Should You Lease Instead?
Instead of buying a used car, you could lease a new car. If you choose this option, it’s important your teen understands the costs involved with leasing, the mileage limits, and what steps to take when the lease expires.
Establish Rules Before Buying a Car
Before you hand over the car keys, decide the rules of the road with your teen. Set clear expectations as well as consequences. Here some ideas to consider.
• Will there be a driving curfew? If so, what?
• Where can your teen drive the car?
• What happens if your teen gets a ticket or is involved in an accident?
• Who will do the maintenance including washing the vehicle?
• What happens if the rules are broken or abused?
Setting up a contract with your teen will help to mitigate possible future disagreements. It is also a way to promote responsible safe driving!
How You Will Use the Car
Another consideration is how your teen will use the car.
• Will it be used to drive to school, after school activities, or work?
• Will other family members be using the vehicle?
• How much traveling will your teen do with the vehicle?
• What features are needed with the car?
Knowing how the vehicle will be used will help you decide the kind of vehicle needed, e.g., SUV, sedan, minivan. Remember, you also want to minimize expenses. So seriously consider the above questions to help make the right decision for your teen and your budget.
Car Choice, Insurance, and Repair Costs
Another consideration when buying a car is the cost to insure and repair it. While new cars usually have higher premiums, that isn’t always true. Safety features, how costly the vehicle is to repair, and mileage all play a part in determining insurance costs.
Call your insurance agent to get a more accurate rate. Where you live, the age of your teen, and how frequently the car will be used will factor into the cost of insurance.
In Conclusion
Carefully consider these first time used car buying tips for teens before you jump into the used car market. Preparation, planning, and good communication are key in helping your teen become a responsible driver.
When you’re ready to buy a new Chevrolet or a quality Carfax used vehicle, turn to the pros at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ve been a Harrisonburg car dealer for 60+ years.
To help prepare, we’ve outlined some first time used car buying tips for teens to help navigate this important milestone.
Best Way to Buy A Used Car
For most teens, buying a new car is out of reach. That’s why it makes sense to buy a used vehicle. But not just any used vehicle. It’s important to buy a quality used car, one that has been thoroughly vetted and has a limited warranty.
While there are plenty of private sellers to choose from, you won’t get the reassurance of buying a vehicle that has been serviced from top to bottom by a reputable mechanic.
You’ll have to take those steps yourself, making an appointment with your mechanic to make sure the vehicle is in good working order.
Even so, if the car fails to perform in the first 30 days after the sale, you’ll face the prospect of costly repairs.
That’s why buying a used car from our Harrisonburg car dealership makes more sense.
Every used vehicle we sell must pass a stringent 75-point inspection by our certified Chevrolet technicians or the vehicle will not be listed for sale. What’s more, almost all our used car inventory are Carfax vehicles.
That’s an extra level of protection for you, the consumer. As a vehicle history expert for used cars, trucks, and SUVs, Carfax is widely respected in the industry. That’s why Joe Bowman Chevy is a Harrisonburg Carfax Advantage dealer.
Our sales team has access to Carfax Vehicle History Reports.™ So, any time you have a question about the vehicle you are considering for purchase, we can pull it up and share that vehicle’s history with you.
That means you don’t have to be a guru to buy a used car. Carfax has made that unnecessary.
Finally, our dealership extends either a 30 or 90-day warranty on every used vehicle we sell. The warranty length is dependent on the mileage.
Buying from our dealership provides you with many more benefits than buying privately. Plus, we offer service after the sale.
When your vehicle needs servicing or repair, we can provide you with courtesy transportation and preferred service scheduling.
Know Your Car Buying Budget
Know how much money you can realistically spend. Since most teens don’t have a credit history, a parent will have to either buy the car or co-sign for the vehicle.
Make sure you include the cost of titling and registering your vehicle, too. With our simple interest loans, you can also make additional payments in addition to your regular car payment.
The more you can apply to the principal, the quicker you can pay off your loan. A rule of thumb for estimating your monthly payment is this: You’ll need to pay about $25 per month for every $1000 you spend with a 48-month loan.
But it’s not just the upfront costs of buying a car you need to plan for. You’ll have maintenance costs, gas, taxes, and car insurance. Make sure you include these costs as part of car ownership.
Wait. Should You Lease Instead?
Instead of buying a used car, you could lease a new car. If you choose this option, it’s important your teen understands the costs involved with leasing, the mileage limits, and what steps to take when the lease expires.
Establish Rules Before Buying a Car
Before you hand over the car keys, decide the rules of the road with your teen. Set clear expectations as well as consequences. Here some ideas to consider.
• Will there be a driving curfew? If so, what?
• Where can your teen drive the car?
• What happens if your teen gets a ticket or is involved in an accident?
• Who will do the maintenance including washing the vehicle?
• What happens if the rules are broken or abused?
Setting up a contract with your teen will help to mitigate possible future disagreements. It is also a way to promote responsible safe driving!
How You Will Use the Car
Another consideration is how your teen will use the car.
• Will it be used to drive to school, after school activities, or work?
• Will other family members be using the vehicle?
• How much traveling will your teen do with the vehicle?
• What features are needed with the car?
Knowing how the vehicle will be used will help you decide the kind of vehicle needed, e.g., SUV, sedan, minivan. Remember, you also want to minimize expenses. So seriously consider the above questions to help make the right decision for your teen and your budget.
Car Choice, Insurance, and Repair Costs
Another consideration when buying a car is the cost to insure and repair it. While new cars usually have higher premiums, that isn’t always true. Safety features, how costly the vehicle is to repair, and mileage all play a part in determining insurance costs.
Call your insurance agent to get a more accurate rate. Where you live, the age of your teen, and how frequently the car will be used will factor into the cost of insurance.
In Conclusion
Carefully consider these first time used car buying tips for teens before you jump into the used car market. Preparation, planning, and good communication are key in helping your teen become a responsible driver.
When you’re ready to buy a new Chevrolet or a quality Carfax used vehicle, turn to the pros at Joe Bowman Auto Plaza. We’ve been a Harrisonburg car dealer for 60+ years.
