How to Save Money on Your Teen's First Car

Is it time to buy that first car for your teen? Saving money on a first car should be a priority. Teens are not well known for taking care of their cars, and of course, with inexperienced drivers, there is always an increased risk of damage to the car. Looking for ways to save money on your teen's first car is simply a smarter way to do business. Saving money on that first car is possible if you follow these tips.

Set Your Budget and Stick To It

Everyone knows saving money starts with budgeting your money. The same should be true for buying a car for your teen. Set your budget and stay within your budget. Car salespeople will play with your emotions to get you to spend more. Take a firm stand and stay on track.

Don't bring your teen with you to choose a car. It can be hard to say no to a car that is over budget when your teen is pleading with you and pulling on your heartstrings. Stand your ground and stay within your budget.

Buy Used

A good used car is a great investment for your teen driver. Saving money on a used car is well documented. You can save thousands of dollars when you do your research. You want to buy a reliable, mechanically sound car, not one that goes too fast or has added features that can distract your teen driver.

Do your research on the car you are considering. When the Shelby Mustang GT 500 first made the scene, it was advertised as having 335 horsepower. It actually had about 400 horsepower (which made it a really fast car). It turns out that Ford told a little white lie to keep insurance rates affordable for drivers. The moral of the story? What is advertised about a vehicle is not necessarily true. Do a deep dive to gather the facts about a vehicle.

Know the Source You Are Buying From

Today, many people will just jump online when they are searching for a used car and are worried about saving money. Yes, the internet offers a wealth of opportunities for buying a used car. However, there are a lot of risks as well. Online scammers are just waiting for a parent like you that is focused on saving money and getting a car for their teen.

Internet crime is a robust industry for criminals. Internet crime is defined as communicating fraudulent or false information and representations. It is also really hard to prosecute because the criminal can be halfway around the world. Know who you are buying from, never send money to someone via your bank or other services until you physically see the car, sit in it, and evaluate it.

Kick Those Tires and Check Under the Hood Thoroughly

Gather as much information as possible about the car you are going to buy. Take it for a test drive. It is worth the cost of having a mechanic evaluate the vehicle for you. A professional inspection can reveal problems that you may not be able to pick up on until it is too late and you already own the car. Saving money on a car includes ensuring that you are not buying a car that will cost you a ton in repairs down the road.

Paying for a mechanic to inspect the vehicle before you make the purchase is a good way to ensure you are making a good investment. Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect used car, sometimes saving money means having to put in some work. It is important to know upfront what type of work is needed and how much it will cost. A car for your teen does not have to break the bank but it will take some time and effort on your part to find the vehicle that fits into your budget, that is safe, and that you will be able to depend on.