The moment a teenager gets their learners permit (or maybe even before that) the dream car conversation starts. Suddenly every kid has opinions on make, model, color, and maybe even trim level, despite never having paid an insurance bill in their life. Most parents have to figure out how to balance their kid's wishlist against what's actually safe, reasonable, and affordable for a brand new driver. Would you let your teenager pick their dream car right out of the gate? Teenager Chooses First Car In a video with more than 1.3 million views, content creator Sara Scarbo (@mommiesara) takes her 15-year-old daughter Quinn to a Ford dealership to kick off what she's calling a car-hunting series. Scarbo explains that Quinn got her permit last week. "We're documenting every test drive, argument, and bad decision. Let's see how this goes…" she says in the caption. "She already has an idea of exactly what she wants,” Scarbo says. That would be a black and white Ford Bronco Outer Banks. They walk the lot and eventually track down one that hits all of Quinn's boxes. Quinn sits in the seat. "Does it make you want it more?" Sara asks. "Yes," Quinn says. Sara, for her part, is not sold. She wants something smaller, more practical, that doesn't feel "cheapy and plastic-y for what you're paying." "I'm hoping to maybe change her mind," Sara says, "because I would like her to get a little bit smaller of a midsize SUV." What Kind Of Car Should A Teen Drive?The Ford Bronco isn't on any safety expert's list for first-time drivers. According to Kelley Blue Book (KBB), car crashes are the third leading cause of death for teenagers in the US, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that per mile traveled, teen drivers crash about four times more often than drivers 20 and older. That context matters a lot when a 15-year-old is pointing at a $55,000 truck. Tell us what you think! View Comments Here’s KBB's guidance on what to look for and what to avoid: Cars to look for: Midsize sedans or small SUVs, big enough to offer crash protection, manageable enough for a new driver to handle Any car with electronic stability control, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist, ideally as standard equipment, not optional add-ons IIHS Top Safety Pick or TSP+ rated vehicles Models from 2013 or newer, when the federal government mandated antilock brakes, traction control, and stability control Cars to avoid: Tiny city cars, since they lose badly in collisions with larger vehicles Sports cars and high-horsepower vehicles that tempt new drivers to push limits they don't have the skill to handle, and they drive up insurance costs Full-size trucks and large SUVs are too much vehicle for a new driver, harder to park, harder to control EVs for beginners because peak torque is available the instant you touch the accelerator, which can be more than a teen is ready for KBB's top new picks for teens that cost under $30,000 include the Honda HR-V, Kia K4, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Hyundai Kona—most of which come loaded with the safety tech that matters most for new drivers. How Much Should You Spend On A Teen's First Car? According to The Car Connection, most parents are advised to cap spending around $10,000 for a teen's first vehicle, with most opting for used. That puts a down payment of around $2,000 in the sweet spot, roughly 10% to 20% of the vehicle's price. One caveat: the cheaper the car, the more likely it needs work before it's roadworthy. Budget for brakes, tires, and an oil check in addition to the sticker price. RateGenius recommends a used car budget somewhere between $5,000 and $20,000 for most families. If you're buying brand new, Consumer Reports' list of best new cars for teens ranges from $20,000 to $40,000. Either way, the car isn't the only cost. There’s insurance, gas, registration, taxes, and maintenance all follow the teen off the lot. And when a new driver is behind the wheel of a high horsepower vehicle, insurance rates trend up fast. Car & Driver reports that insurance for a teenager costs an average of roughly $6,000 for girls and $6,700 for boys annually. That number is going to go up for a more expensive vehicle like a brand-new Bronco. People who watched Scarbo’s video were not on board with buying a brand-new Ford Bronco for a teenager. “$55k car for a 15 yr old,” said one “Homegirl needs a Honda Accord,” a second suggested. “I would ask if this is rage bait… but I think I'm just poor,” another wrote. “First car, she needs a used car,” said a fourth. Motor1 reached out to Scarbo for comment via email and TikTok direct message. We’ll update this if she responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
