3 On Your Side: Best Vehicles For Teens
By Jim Donovan
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is out with its latest list of best used cars for teens. As 3 On Your Side Consumer Reporter Jim Donovan finds, bigger might be better when buying your teen their first car.
Tony Iglesias and his 17-year-old son Kevin are on the hunt for a used car. Kevin will start driving next year and will need his own wheels. Tony says, "Not worth it to spend a lot of a money for a teenager, they don't have much experience." Iglesias plans to spend about 5-thousand dollars. While he's looking for something affordable, he also wants something safe.
When it comes to used cars for teens the latest report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found, bigger and heavier vehicles are the safest. Vehicles like the Volvo S80, Ford Taurus and SUV's like the Ford Flex made the Institute's recommended list.
The Institute found parents should look for used cars that feature electronic stability control systems, which help drivers maintain control on curves and slippery roads.
The report also warned parents to avoid buying cars that have high horsepower which may tempt teens. Kevin has already gotten a warning from his father about speeding. He says, "I don't want to crash, not too fast, I have to respect the law"
In a survey the Institute found that the median price for a used car was $5,300. By the way, the annual report also found new driver courses don't boost safety for teens.
For more information and to see the Institute's full list of vehicle recommendations for teens visit:
