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Teenagers’ Top Car Choices

With seniors having the privilege to drive to the school, the senior parking is filled with a wide array of cars. || Source: Emily Sachs

As Blind Brook juniors and seniors obtain their licenses, and as Blind Brook seniors prepare to head off on their own, it is important for them to know their options regarding transportation. Transportation by car is generally regarded as the most convenient form of transportation, but only when affordable.

There are several different ways for teens to have ready access to a personal car. Cars can be handed down, bought new, bought used, or leased.

The cheapest option would be getting a hand-me-down car from an older sibling or parent. This allows the person to get a car for essentially no money, not including maintenance fees. Though this is extremely convenient, the car may be old, which could cause safety concerns. As long as the car is consistently serviced, it should be manageable.

The most expensive option would be buying a new car. Buying a new car ensures that it will be safe, undamaged, and reliable. All of the features are up-to-date and guaranteed to last many years, so someone does not have to worry about replacing their car often. With a new car, consumers are free to customize the car by choosing the color for the interior and exterior, along with other features, like sound system.

Another popular option is buying a used car. Many times, a car could be purchased pre-owned and one would hardly know. A big advantage to purchasing a used car is that the price is dramatically lower.

“I would get a pre-owned car because it’s cheaper and more flexible if I want to get another car. [To pay for the car] I would save up money and get a job over the summer to try not to bother my parents too much,” said Julia Mullaly.

It is very possible that you could buy a higher-end used car for less money than a new, less luxurious car.  Many times, a used car works just as well as a new car, though this is not always the case. Cheaper used cars will be older models or have more miles on them, which would work to the driver’s disadvantage.

A last option would be leasing a car. When leasing a car, consumers pay a monthly rate for a set period of time. When the time period is up, consumers can renew their contract with the same car, a different car, or terminate the contract altogether. Many find leasing to be advantageous because the contract enables them to upgrade to a different car every few years. Consumers also avoid the stress of selling their cars once they are finished with them.

Listed below are some of the most popular cars for Blind Brook students, so that new drivers can aim to get their hands on some wheels.

  • Jeep Wrangler

This car is sought after because of its retractable roof and chic look. The Wrangler has a large amount of cargo space and a comfortable passenger seat, which is necessary for driving around friends. The vehicle is also known for its safety features, which are crucial for a relatively new driver.

  • Jeep Grand Cherokee

This sleek SUV can often be found rolling through the community. Its soft, comfortable seats make the journey to and from school pleasurable, and double the fun of a road trip with friends. It offers a variety of engines that customers can choose from based on how they plan to use the car. It is extremely safe with anti-lock brakes, a myriad of airbags, and great stability. The car is technologically advanced and includes a five-inch touchscreen, dual-zone automatic climate control, HD radio, a BluRay television system, BlueTooth capabilities, a USB port, a rearview camera and a 19 speaker audio system.

  • Honda Accord

This car is packed with safety features. It includes forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and automatic braking which helps the car come to a complete stop. With this long list of safety features, there is no surprise that parents do not hesitate to buy this car for their child. This car also has many feature such as SMS text message function that make it compatible with your smartphone and help to dissuade students from texting while driving.