How To Shop For A Car With Your Teen Driver?

Published on: 08 October 2016 Last Updated on: 04 September 2024

For most parents, buying a car for their teenager is a necessity to encourage independence and free up your schedule from having to drive them everywhere. Guess what? Your child feels the same.

Upon receiving their driving license, they cannot wait to put those skills to good use. If your teen is not persistently nagging you for a set of wheels, count yourself lucky!

Pondering what type of car to buy can become an arduous task and may often lead to frustration. Selecting the perfect car model to gift your teenager is further complicated with varying tastes.

You, being the parent, wish to find an economical car that is safe to drive. If you are planning to buy a car for your teen, you have probably encountered different opinions that left you a tad confused. In this article, we aim to share insights on how to shop for a car with your teen driver.

1. Prepare A Budget

While buying a car for your teen is an adventure, do not get carried away by expensive models at your local dealership. Start by deciding how much money is available to spend.

Think about other pressing needs in the future while allocating the family budget. Remember, college tuition is right around the corner. Discuss the final budget with your teen and explain the argument behind it.

Talk about the various options that can fit your budget. Old cars are cheaper, while new vehicles may not need much maintenance. Understandably, your teen may be upset if they expected a fancy ride only to have the budget slashed by half. Reason with them and reach a compromise.

2. Safety Features

When choosing between different car models, safety should be the top of the list of concerns. You want your child to be safe as they drive to school or their summer job at the local fast-food joint. Inspect the car to ensure it has updated safety features such as electronic stability control and front and side airbags.

Even the best-trained drivers can get into a fender bender in traffic or worse, a car wreck on the highway. Naturally, you fear more for your teen as they are new to driving and you want to be sure they are safe while on the road.

Request the dealer to give you the car safety report that indicates what happens in the event of an accident. Do not forget to purchase sound insurance over. Compare different options and select wisely.

3. Other Features

Once you have the handle on safety, you can get down to the fun part. Your teen is likely to suggest a car with modern interiors and high-quality sound.

If you are buying an old car, they may not have advanced features that your child desires such as door speakers for bass. No worries, you can install quality door speakers at an affordable price. This upgrade is bound to make your teen happy!

4. Establish Ground Rules

As you may have observed, teenagers are prone to distractions even while doing mundane tasks like watering the plants, washing the family dog or even putting cereal in a bowl. Do not fault them; their frontal lobes are still developing. Driving a car is not a mundane task. Each time you get behind the wheel, you stand the risk of getting involved in minor or major accidents.

Your newly minted teen driver needs to understand that owning and operating an automobile calls for a high sense of responsibility at all times. Make it crystal clear that they are not allowed to take calls, read or respond to messages or any social media. All this can wait till they get to their destination safely. Agree on what time they need to get home by and the consequences of failing to adhere to stipulated curfews.

As difficult as it may sound, your teen could easily be drinking behind your back. Add this to the column of DONT’S! Drunken driving will not only earn them a DUI and probably ruin their chances of getting into a good college; it can cause permanent damage or worse.

Conclusion

Buying a car for your teen can be difficult with the different choices available. Make a list of possible models they are interested in and investigate each model. Bring your teen to the dealership, so that they can get firsthand information from a car expert. Be open to making a few adjustments like installing door speakers for bass, so your teen can enjoy his favorite jams.

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Abdul Aziz Mondol

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

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Top tips for inspecting and maintaining garage

A large percentage of homeowners stroll in and out of their garage and don’t give a second thought about it. But it is extremely important that you don’t neglect your garage and keep it in the best condition possible. For maintaining garage you have to understand the facts that can help you to achieve your goals. After all, it protects one, if not a couple of the biggest investments you and your partner have ever made (your cars), along with whatever else you have in there. Think of it this way, the odd maintenance job could save you and your family from losing out on thousands. If you’re looking for a brand-new concrete garage to protect you, your family and your belongings from the dangers of the outdoors, look no further than Dencroft Garages. Their friendly, experienced staff are always at hand to help out, give them a call now. Different Ways You Can Apply For Maintaining Garage Keep the door running smoothly A lot of new garage doors these days are self-lubricated, but if they aren’t, it is recommended that you apply oil to the rollers, hinges, and tracks every couple of months. Another important note to take is this – occasionally be checking the rubber seal at the bottom of your garage door as it can tear and wear, and allow the elements to creep under (replacing this seal can cost £100). Also, regularly check that the sensors on either side of your garage door still work by closing when something crosses its path. Clean the floor To prevent hazards, slips, and from occurring, clear your garage floor and hose it down. If there is a serious trip hazard due to a bit of concrete which has crumbled or separated, you can try to patch it back up yourself or call a contact a concrete contractor. If you’re looking for further tips and instructions to clean the floor in your concrete garage, this article has five fantastic tips to make sure your garage floor is looking the best it can be.For maintaining garage Monitor the walls You should check your walls at least twice a year to see if there any cracks or moisture. If you see any discolor or mold on the walls, then moisture is seeping from the roof or the walls and needs to be seen to straight away – call a building or roofing contractor for the further inspection. For maintaining garage you have to monitor walls. Clean interior doors Your interior door plays a huge part in the safety and insulation of your home, so once a year you should clean it and make sure that all the weather-stripping is still intact. If not, then replace the weather-stripping – this stops all the elements from entering your home. Watch for pest invasions Insects such as termites and carpenter ants can seriously damage the quality of your garage walls, so to prevent them from invading your garage, inspect dark, cool and moist spots – particularly where the walls meet. If you see chewed wood you will most likely have termites, or if there are trails of sawdust, it’s carpenter ants – this is when you should call in pest control experts. Read Also: 5 Factors To Consider When Buying A New Garage Door 5 Other Uses For Your Garage

Best Bike Types for Daily Use

If you go searching for bike advice online, you will find plenty of communities filled with dedicated enthusiasts. They may enjoy racing, trail riding or any number of other activities. However, not many are discussing daily use. So, you may be left wondering what the most comfortable bike style for a daily ride is. Below you will find some helpful guidance on a few of the most popular daily-use types. Best Bike Types for Daily Use: Hybrid Bike A hybrid bike is a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. It has wider tires than a road bike and upright handlebars. However, the tires are thinner than a mountain bike. Additionally, the sitting position is usually higher, and the gearing is better suited to road usage. In other words, a hybrid bike brings together good elements of both road and mountain bikes to make a comfortable, flexible bike option. Many people first learn to ride on hybrid or similar bikes. Many hybrid bikes have front suspension. This helps make them more comfortable for slightly rougher terrain such as dirt trails. Beach Cruisers If you want to coast down the boardwalk, there is no better choice than a cruiser bicycle. These comfortable bikes have a relaxed posture, swept-back handlebars, and wide tires. They are not great for rushing around anywhere. However, if you want a daily ride that is comfortable to take anywhere, this may be the style for you. Many people love the old-fashioned look of a cruiser. They don’t look as cool going up steep hills, however. These bikes are designed for flat surfaces, hence their popularity near the coast. City Bikes The term “city bike” is pretty broadly used. However, it is most associated with a type of bike intended for commuting, errands and general use in the city. It is somewhere between a hybrid and cruiser bike. The handlebars are swept-back, and the seating position is upright and relaxed. However, the wheels are more similar to a hybrid bike, as is the gearing. Sometimes these bikes are called Dutch-style bikes due to their prominence in the Netherlands, especially Amsterdam. Some of these bikes even have a built-in generator to run a light at the front for safety. Electric Bikes Speaking of electric enumeration, e-bikes are another great choice for daily use. These bikes power a hybrid motor that can turn the wheels for you. They can be used completely powered over short distances and for extra assistance over long distances. This is an excellent option if you make a long commute every day. For many city dwellers, commuting on an e-bike is significantly faster than driving due to the ability to skip past traffic. Electric bikes come in a variety of styles including all of the above. They make great daily-use bikes if you expect to use your bike a lot. Find Yours: Perhaps the most important factor in whether a bike is good for daily use is how comfortable it is. This can vary from person to person. Try a few styles out to find the right one for you and your needs. Read More: Benefits With Riding A Single Speed Bike In The City Will EBikes Save The Planet? How Does It Feel Like Riding A Bike As Your Passenger?

How To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

The catalytic converter is an important part of the car that turns the pollutants made from the car into a harmless gas. The converter can take many harmful things like platinum, palladium, and rhodium and then turn them into different gases. While you might not think about this simple part of your car, it’s actually a target for thieves because they can sell it for a large amount of money. If you no longer need your catalytic converter for any reason, Core Masters buys catalytic converters. This guide will cover how to prevent catalytic converter theft as well as explain how to know if your converter has been stolen. How Do I Know If My Catalytic Converter Has Been Stolen? Most of the time, you cannot tell your converter was stolen just by looking at your car. You will probably be able to tell once you start the engine though as the car might make weird noises. When the converter has been removed from the car, the vehicle makes a constant loud roaring noise that becomes louder as you push on the gas pedal. If you drive the car, you will notice it cannot drive smoothly and it will make a weird sputtering noise. Here are some of the other things you can look for when it comes to driving without your converter: Loud roar as you start the car that becomes louder the more you accelerate More exhaust fumes than usual and weird exhaust smells You notice there are missing parts under the car especially the ones that lead to the muffler Acceleration that is sputtering or uneven The check engine light is on or your car fails an engine inspection Read Also: Simplify Parts Pricing With A Comprehensive Solution Why Do People Steal Catalytic Converters? There are many reasons why people choose to steal catalytic converters. While sometimes you can only get $50 for a converter, there are some that can be sold for thousands of dollars per ounce thanks to the precious metals that are found in them. People that are used to stealing converters can take them in just a few minutes making them easy to steal and get away. It’s an easy way to make quick cash for some people so they take every opportunity they can to ensure they take them. Catalytic Converters also cannot be tracked like other parts of the car. So people that steal it easily get away with it and the person who’s now missing it from their car has no way of getting it back. Are Certain Cars Targeted For Catalytic Converter Theft? Any car that is made after 1974 has a converter so there are many cars out on the road that thieves can target. Most of the time, thieves prefer to steal from taller cars like SUVs and trucks because they can easily go under the car and take the converter. Hybrid cars are also another target because the converters are made with more metal and more precious metals which means they can get a higher value for them when selling. The more precious metals there are in the converter, the more money the thief can get for it so they often go for cars they know that have converters best for selling. Ways To Protect Your Car Against Catalytic Converter Theft Worried about your car’s catalytic converter being stolen? There are plenty of ways you can ensure this doesn’t happen. Most are simple tricks that can be done for free. Know If You’re A Target As stated before, SUVs, trucks, and hybrid cars are all easy targets for catalytic converter theft. If you own one of these cars, you need to ensure you always follow all safety tips because you know your car’s converter can be stolen easier. Knowing that your target makes it easier to keep yourself safe and be aware of the signs that your converter has been stolen. Put Your VIN On The Converter There is no way to track a catalytic converter, so if yours is stolen it’s almost impossible to retrieve it back. This is why some people choose to put their VIN or their license plate number on their converter. This way if someone goes to sell it, the person buying it might check if the person trying to sell it to them is the original owner. If they are not, they can contact authorities and say they think the converter has been stolen. Park In Well Lit Areas Every time you park your car or go somewhere, make sure you park near the street lights. You should also try and park as close to the entrance of places as possible. If you park in an apartment complex, try to park in different areas every time so that people do not target your car as being in the same place. Install Cameras If you can, put cameras in your parking lot or outside your home. This allows people to know you have surveillance and they will be deterred from stealing the converter because they know they can be caught more easily. You can also install motion sensor lights so that every time someone walks by, the light turns on. This makes people feel like they are being watched and they will not want to get too close to your car. Paint Your Converter This often deters buyers because it makes the converter less valuable. Painting is also known as a common technique for avoiding theft so if a person tries to sell a painted converter, it looks more suspicious. Some police departments even let you go into their station and paint your converter for free. Catalytic Converters And Thieves Unfortunately, converters are easy to steal making them an easy target for those looking to make a quick buck. When your converter is stolen, you can even spend up to $3000 replacing it. This is why it’s very important to use the tips in this guide to prevent your converter from being stolen. You also need to ensure your car is insured against catalytic converter theft so that you are never stuck paying for a new out-of-pocket. Read Also: Selling Collectibles: A Guide to Selling Your Memorabilia at Auctions Here’s What Makes Package Units Better than the Other ACs

How To Shop For A Car With Your Teen Driver?

1. Prepare A Budget

2. Safety Features

3. Other Features

4. Establish Ground Rules

Conclusion

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Abdul Aziz Mondol

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

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Related

Top tips for inspecting and maintaining garage

Best Bike Types for Daily Use

How To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

How To Shop For A Car With Your Teen Driver?

1. Prepare A Budget

2. Safety Features

3. Other Features

4. Establish Ground Rules

Conclusion

Share this Article

Why Times Are Tough For Truckers and Why It Concerns You

Will Self-Driving Cars Replace Human Error?

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related