IIHS has listed a wide range of used vehicles to help parents make a smarter and a safer choice while car-shopping for their teen children.
Most parents buy used cars for their teens to drive instead of a new one. In such cases, money becomes a major deciding factor that may dilute the safety features of the car. According to a new research, teens' cars often lack crash protection and important safety features. To better assist parents with the car choices, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), put together a list of recommended used vehicles for teens.
The cars that make up the list are reviewed based on crash ratings and safety features such as electronic stability control systems. The safety commission gathered the price data for each car from the Kelly Blue Book. This helps parents make better choices when it comes to choosing their child's first car, keeping both price and safety in mind. The list offers a wide range of budget for used cars, from $5,000 to up to $20,000.
For instance, the Lincoln MKS of model year 2009 or later will cost around $15,000 while a Volkswagen Passat from 2006-2008 model range will cost 5,100. IIHS divided the list of recommended used vehicles into two price categories, under $20,000 and under $10,000. The sub-categories will further help sort cars based on the type, such as large cars, midsize cars, small SUVs, midsize SUVs, large SUVs and minivans. The agency rated the cars under $20K category as the best choice for teens and the under $10K as "good."
"A teenager's first car is more than just a financial decision," IIHS President Adrian Lund, said in a press release, Wednesday. "These lists of recommended used vehicles can help consumers factor in safety, in addition to affordability."
IIHS senior VP for research, Anne McCartt, also warned parents of the risks involved in compromising on the safety features in cars for teens due to the prices. She advises parents to pay extra for the safety of their children.
The full list of recommended used vehicles for teens can be found on IIHS website.