Buying a first car is surprisingly one of the most difficult decisions that young teenagers may encounter as they venture into the world of adulthood. Buying your first car can become extremely stressful and complicated if you don’t know what you’re doing, especially if people around you are urging you to buy “the best and newest” car so you don’t end up with something bad. Truth be told, the brightest and newest car might not always be the best option for a teenager looking for their first ride.
Many people might tell you that you need a car straight from the dealership’s main floor, or that you need the newest 2026 Nissan or Toyota model because it’s “the most reliable,” but is it really worth placing yourself into debts and financial burden? Trust me, turning 18 years old and taking on a $600 monthly car-note for the next 30 months of your life might not go well for you. In fact, this will most likely cause even more stress than you anticipated.
My first piece of advice to those seeking a first car, especially if you are in high school: be careful of how you let others influence your real-life decisions. Just because you see your best friends driving around in their “sport cars” with the newest generation models doesn’t mean you have to jump on that same train. Everyone’s situation is different, and if you realistically cannot comfortably afford a “new car,” do not sign your life away just to fit in.
If buying a new car isn’t necessarily a “good idea,” then what is?
Buying a used car is easily the better option. Buying a used car not only allows you to purchase a vehicle at a much more affordable price, but also makes your car search much easier and diverse. Due to the fact that new cars rapidly depreciate in value as the years go on, many used cars can easily hold onto their value, and it is possible to sell your used car if you ever change your mind. Newer cars lose value the second you put it in drive.
Additionally, searching for a used car is very easy, as you can simply go online and search for the right one on websites like Facebook Marketplace, which is where I bought my first car myself. I was not only able to negotiate the price of my first vehicle, but was also able to secure a deal on a decent first car with roughly 85,000 miles and in very good condition, all at an extremely reasonable and realistic price.
Also, there are many important things to examine when looking to buy a used car. Make sure to inspect all functions of the vehicle before purchasing, such as air conditioning, radio & speakers, engine-bay conditions, possible computer-codes and warning lights on the dash, and conditions of material under the car. Sellers unfortunately can try to cover up possible errors in the car which may drive them away from a sale, so make sure you do enough research of what to look at when making the final sale. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty to look under the car, or check an oil dipstick to see if the seller does a good job at frequently changing their motor oil.
The freedom of being able to pick and choose a car of your desired condition, all at a much cheaper price, is only one of the many benefits of buying a used car. I mean, who wouldn’t want to pay lower upfront prices, registration & sales tax, and reduced insurance rates?
According to The Washington Post (The average used car price hit $30,000. Should you just buy new? – The Washington Post), the average new car monthly payment is around $740/per month, which is very costly especially for younger teens. Do not put yourself into a situation facing adult-level financial pressure, considering you have little-to-no financial experience, limited income, and few safety nets.
Similarly, you are still going to have to pay for external costs besides your monthly car payment, such as gas, car maintenance, food, and savings. This lifestyle is very unrealistic and not suitable for the average teenager who’s seeking a comfortable way of buying their first car.
Conclusively, I feel like teenagers should deeply consider these factors into their financial decision making.
At the end of the day, buying a car in general can be a very big decision for you and your family, and you want to make sure that you pick the right vehicle to fulfill your needs. It is a very common thing to be worried about “buying a bad car” or maybe “the wrong car,” so it is especially important that you are prepared to check for the right things while purchasing your first car, let alone any car.
If you can comfortably afford a brand new car, it is still very important to consider the “pros and cons” of not buying, for example, a used car. Your decisions will dictate the next few years of your life, and you definitely do not want to step into the world on the wrong foot.
