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As a parent, you have spent the last fifteen or more years making choices for your child. Sometimes, you have had to be the bad guy, and sometimes you have been able to be the "cool" parent. Now, you are starting to make a decision about buying cars for your teen driver. Before going to your car dealer, you should research different cars for safety, economy and then style.

Maximizing Auto Safety

When beginning a search for a car suitable for teen driving, a logical place to start is with government testing reports and Consumer Reports. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rates all cars for crash safety and you can access their reports to find which cars are the safest. You can also refer to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which is an independent organization that tests vehicles to determine insurance costs. You might not limit your choices to only five star rated vehicles, but knowing the auto safety of vehicles you are interested in will help in making a wise decision at the car dealer.

Getting the Most for Your Money

Additionally, buying cars that are economical to operate is also a big priority. Choosing a car for teen driving should include research into the EPA fuel economy ratings for the vehicle. You can also consult research conducted by independent trade groups for operating expense estimates. Teen driving can create a drain on your finances if you don't budget ahead. Knowing what kind of driving your teen will be doing regularly will allow you to limit your choices to vehicle types that are suitable. Here too, auto safety is an important factor in determining the expense of a vehicle. Safer vehicles will cost less to insure than those with lower ratings. Making the effort to research expenses before heading to a car dealer will give you more leverage in your negotiations.

Keeping it Hip

Finding a car to meet your needs of safety and economy does not need to keep you from buying cars that are also stylish and fun to drive. Your car dealer will have a selection of cars that are attractive and offer performance options to meet the teen driving needs. Take time to complete your research and you will discover a variety of cars that are sporty, economical and meet your auto safety needs. Buying cars for a teen can come with the temptation to give in to your teen and purchase a sports car or high profile truck, but if you arm yourself with information on safety and economy ahead of time, you can find a vehicle that will serve your teen well and keep your budget in check as well.