ALT-1 Best new Car for High School Kid
Passing the drivers' exam is a critical point in most teenagers' lives. It is a crucial step towards the freedom that every kid yearns for and every parent fears. Equally as important is a teenager's first car. In this modern era where the average household owns roughly 2+ cars each, the idea of "borrowing the car" may not be as practical as it was a generation or two ago. Finding the perfect car for your young one can be a daunting task. There are many factors that must be considered when searching for a suitable vehicle for a young, inexperienced driver. First, this article examines those factors.
Motor vehicle fatalities continue to decline each year, however there are still roughly 32,000 deaths on American roadways annually. For new drivers, vehicle safety standards should be paramount. It is understood that larger vehicles fair better in accidents both in terms of damage received and harm caused to its passengers. However, many of today's midsize sedans and even compacts are highly rated in the safety department. Newer, stronger materials and a better understanding of the physics involved in car accidents have allowed manufacturers to fine tune the safety features of even their smallest cars and increasing the survivability of occupants.
Next on the agenda would be price. The first car experience for a teenager goes beyond flashy wheels and loud music. A new car can give the young ones the opportunity to prove their maturity and learn a little bit about the value of money. Choosing a car within a given budget and having your new driver hold some or all of the responsibility of making payments can teach them an invaluable lesson about their financial future. There are many new cars on the market today selling for very reasonable prices that fit well with young adults' small incomes.
If overall price is a concern for you, then potential fuel economy should be too. With growing gas prices, the amount you pay at the pump can climb quickly. An efficient mode of transportation for a teenager will save them from spending their lunch money on gas and you as a parent from handing over $20 on a Friday night so that they can go to the movies.
An often over-looked aspect when searching for a new vehicle is the ease of conducting regular and unscheduled maintenance. Compared to cars a few generations ago, today's manufacturers are producing some of the most reliable vehicles on the road. However, knowing how to conduct an oil change, tire rotation, and change a flat are skills that will benefit any driver for the rest of their lives. Although choosing a new car with a warranty and service plan will ultimately save you some time, money, and headache, fixing and maintaining a vehicle together can be a valuable bonding experience for both teenagers and parents. Therefore its important to make, not only yourself but also your new driver, familiar with the most basic aspects of how to correct minor issues and trouble shoot more serious ones.
This leads to the pick for the best new car for a high school kid. If you've conducted a little bit of research of new cars that fit into the criteria listed, then you no doubt should've found your way to the Ford Motor Company. In recent years, and following a unanimous decline across the domestic car market, they have certainly stepped up to the plate in both the design and quality of their vehicles. The all new2012 Ford Focusis one such example.
With a base MSRP of just $16,500, the Focus is certainly affordable on all levels. Mix that with an excellent fuel economy rating of 28 in the city and 40 highway from the 160 horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, and you won't be breaking the bank just to keep the wheels turning either. The all new design for the Focus brings with it many updated safety features as well.
Ford's "My Key" technology is designed to help teenagers drive safely. Parents are able to designate a key that will operate special features such as limiting the vehicle's top speed to 80 mph and the stereo volume to 44% of its maximum. It will also warn young drivers when the fuel tank is 75 miles from empty and chime at speeds of 45, 55, and 65 mph. In addition, another feature will chime and mute the stereo until the seat belts are buckled. Coupled with Ford's next-generation dual-stage driver and front passenger airbags, and front-seat mounted side airbags and rear side curtain airbags, and you have a car that's more than fit to transport your most precious possessions.
From a teenager's perspective, however, nothing is more important than how their set of wheels looks. Ford certainly hasn't skimped in this department either. From the front to the back and everything in between, the Focus is a refreshing example of automotive design at its best. The long, squinting headlights and large front fascia exude performance while the body lines and wheel arches sweep eloquently down the length of the car, ending as the rear windscreen gradually slopes. With 11 different paint options and 11 varieties of wheels, choosing the look for you is practically limitless.
The Focus's interior is certainly on par with the rest of it as well. Many features such as tilt and telescopic steering wheel, and power windows are all standard. The full center console comes complete with auxiliary audio jacks, storage, and 12-volt power outlet. Seating comfort is equal to most cars that share the same market segment as the Focus and rear leg room has been rated by many reviewers as "uncommonly good," a surprising feat given the compactness of the Focus and its average counter-parts on the market. Cargo space is also a plus, with the hatchback producing the most out of the Focus line-up at 44.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
All in all, Ford has produced a fantastic and affordable small car that can be driven and enjoyed by new and old drivers alike. It has all the characteristics to become a hit with few, albeit fierce, competitors. As with all car shopping, it is highly encouraged to take a look at the other vehicles in the same class. Shopping around and being patient will ensure that you (and your teenager) choose the perfect car. Nothing sticks out more in those brief years between adolescence and adulthood than that first car. Make sure that those memories include a car that puts a smile on their face.
