If you have someone in your household who has just passed their driving test, should they (or you) opt for a new or a used car? There are plenty of pocket-friendly choices, especially in the used-car market. We explore a few options.
Should I buy a new or a used car for my newly-licensed teenager?
That depends entirely on your budget, and each option has its pros and cons. The pros to buying a new car are that you will basically have worry-free motoring for as long as the warranty and service plans last and you won’t have to wonder about how previous owners may have mistreated the car.
The cons to buying a new car are the price and the depreciation. For the same amount of money as an entry-level hatch, you can buy a car in the used-car segment with more safety features, but mileage is important. You don’t want to end up with issues later on with a car that’s out of warranty, so an additional, comprehensive warranty and service plan are always advised, as well as roadside assistance. (Teaching your child the basics such as jacking up a car to change a wheel is of paramount importance too.) For more details concerning the positive and negative points of new vs. used, please read Chad Luckhoff’s article below:
Over the years, we’ve written countless articles on affordable new and used cars for young drivers, so take a look at this list:
Used cars
New cars
Please note that prices have increased since these articles were first published. For the latest in new-car prices, please visit the respective manufacturers’ websites.
Keyword: The best new or used car for a teenager