Three Major Things to Consider When Buying a Car for Your Teen:
1. Size Means Safety
a. choose mid or large sizes
b. should weigh at least 3,300 lbs
c. note crash test results (even if small cars test well, they may not do well in a crash with a large car)
d. caution: avoid SUV’s for teens
– difficult for teens to handle in emergencies especially with abrupt maneuvers
– without electronic stablity control (ESC), cars tends to roll over
– make sure your SUV has ESC
2. Speed Kills
a. high horsepower is deadly (it’s a big temptation for kids)
b. teens take risks with speed so don’t encourage risk in vehicles you buy
c. avoid sporty models – have highest death tolls
d. rule out the quickest and slowest cars (too slow is bad for lane changes or merges, puts child in danger, too)
e. safest cars should accelerate 0-60 mph in 8-11 sec
3. Crashworthiness
a. check out crash test scores (get information from government crash testing)
b. should have driver, passenger, side and side curtain airbags (newer models have these)
c. should have antilock brakes
d. should have stability control (mandatory by 2012)
e. should have crash avoidance tenchnology (all cars 3 or 4 years old should have it)
Advice: If you can’t afford the safest car, buy the safest you can afford.
Remember: You can always replace a car. You can’t replace a child.
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To learn more about this and any of your vehicle needs, visit one of the Jerry Seiner dealerships along the Wasatch Front in Bountiful, Salt Lake and South Jordan. Go to www.gmguy.com for more information.
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