First Car Buyers

First car buyers in the U. S. are usually teens but they can be adults as well. Adults who are first time car buyers may be immigrants, live in a large metropolis like New York City or live in a small city and ride bikes and take public transportation.

A first car for teens is much like a first car for adults. Some of the exceptions of course are that adults may have to choose their own insurance company rather than asking their parents to add them onto their parents insurance, and adults will most always pay for their own fuel, repairs, AAA coverage, etc. whereas teens may rely on their parents or other guardians to help them out.

But, what most first car buyers share in common is that they are new to driving, and need low cost and reliable transportation. Some of the things to consider for first car buyers are:

• Cost of the vehicle
• Cost of Insurance
• Cost of repairs and maintenance
• Stick shift or automatic
• Make and Model
• New, Used or Lease
• Warranty
• Lemon Law Coverage
• Safety
• Lifestyle
• Driving habits

It may seem overly simplistic but many first time car buyers choose vehicles they simply cannot afford (this is true for first time home buyers as well). If you're not already doing a monthly budget then you need to start. Factor in your income and deduct your rent or mortgage, tuition, food, utilities and other living expenses and also the anticipated monthly payments for your car.

In addition, realize that the cost of your car is not the cost of your car? Huh? That's right, the price you pay does not cover insurance or the repairs and maintenance that you'll be buying for your vehicle. You'll need to factor all expenses in for your new car in order to get an idea of what it will really cost.

Whether to buy a stick shift or automatic transmission is another consideration. Most cars today are automatics and are usually easier to resell. But, learning on a stick shift and then transitioning to an automatic is much easier than the reverse.

The make and model of car is important so see our sections on cheap first car and good first cars to see what we recommend.

You'll need to figure out whether you want and can afford to buy new, used or sign a lease. With buying new, you'll get a warranty and be coverage under most states lemon laws. With a used car be sure to get a warranty. If getting a lease make sure that your state covers your lease under the lemon law like it does a new vehicle or if not just what your protections are.

Safety is one of the most important considerations for first car buyers. Is the vehicle sturdy and equipped with airbags? Does it have anti-lock brakes? How is it rated in crash tests? Has your car been damaged before? These are important questions to research and keep in mind when searching for your first vehicle.

First car buyers will need to pick a vehicle that fits their lifestyle. If you need to haul stuff, then perhaps a truck is right for you. If you're a teen and your parents won't let have more than one passenger in your car, then a two seater like a Smart ForTwo may be for you. Assess your lifestyle needs and narrow your search as this will save you a lot of time.

Driving habits also need to be considered for first car buyers. If you're a Speed Racer then you may not want to tempt yourself with a sports car or a jacked up truck that can easily roll over. Speeding tickets or crashes are no way to start out your driving career.

This is just an overview of what first car buyers need to take into consideration when making a quality choice for a vehicle and a new driving record. Please read the other pages on this website for more details for first car buyers.