There are a lot of great firsts in your child’s life: first words, first pet, first day at school, first kiss, but few are more significant than the day they get their first car. Suddenly it’s like there’s a whole world open to them that they were never fully able to experience before. However, as exciting as it can be it can also be incredibly scary to find yourself putting down a considerable sum of money on a car. In order to help you feel more comfortable, here are a few of the most common fears that come with getting your teengar their first car and how to put them to bed.
Getting ripped off
The most pressing concern that a lot of people have when it comes to buying your child’s first car is, of course, the price. After all, other than a house, there are few things more expensive for the average person than a car. If you’re worried about getting ripped off, then there are a few things that you can do. You should always buy from a registered dealer rather than from another individual.
You should do price comparisons to make sure that you’re not spending more than you should. One surprising thing you can do is to make sure that you’re not going for the absolute cheapest option. Often the gap between what a hunk of junk is worth and what you buy it for is actually much bigger than with a slightly more expensive car. If you’re struggling to come up with the money upfront, then see if you can find the best car loans on the market. That way you can afford something a little pricier without having to spend even longer saving up for it.
Something going wrong
When your child gets their first car, it’s likely that you’re going to find yourself panicking at every little bump or noise while driving. This is pretty understandable, after all their vehicle is probably pretty precious to them, and the last thing you want is for something to happen to it. One of the best things you can do is take it to your local mechanic right away to get it fully checked over.
In all likelihood, the dealer did the same thing before selling it, but it’s good for your peace of mind. The other thing they can do is to get to know the inside of their car better. They could take a course on engine repair so that they fully understand what’s going on under the hood. That way they’ll be less panicked whenever they hear an unusual sound because they’re much more likely to know what it is.
Of course, it’s important to remember that your child getting their first car is never going to stop being a scary idea for a lot of parents. In fact, it’s the sort of thing a lot of parents dread. However, it’s important that you put your trust in your child and believe that they are going to be as responsible as possible out on the road.
