Used Car Repair for Sweet Sixteen

It is silly to buy a sixteen year old a brand new car. Finding a good used one with little need for car repair is a much better plan.
Ah, to be sixteen again. Crushes on the opposite sex, everyday drama of being a teenager, high school cafeteria lunches: those were the days. Of course there is that all-important rite of passage the first driver’s license. Many young people dream of waking up on their birthday morning and finding a brand new automobile from some high end German manufacturer sitting in the driveway just for them. Some parents even think that this is a good decision for their children. Clearly these parents are experiencing some memory loss because most people, dare I say all people, are not very good drivers when they start. That is why it is far better to buy something used but in decent condition, have some car repair done on it, and let them learn on that.

The first thing to do is to go to a local used auto lot and look at what is available. You do not need to buy a junker but look for something that is a little older and perhaps not in the most beautiful condition. Remember, junior will be hitting curbs, grinding into poles and running over drive-thru signs in this thing for a few years while he learns the ropes. A little cosmetic damage is not going to be a detractor at this early stage of the game. Make sure that while it is not necessarily the belle of the ball it does not need a lot of car repair. There is a difference between buying an inexpensive vehicle because it is ugly and buying one because it is unreliable. You are not going to want to spend two thousand dollars on something just to put another two thousand in within the first six months.

The best thing to do to ensure you buy something used but reliable is to take it into your own mechanic and have him check if any car repair needs to be done. The dealer may say it is legit but it is better to have it checked out by someone you can trust. Also, buy talking with your own mechanic he can give you an idea of what may need to be fixed down the line and how much it will cost. You may find an inexpensive Renault on the lot but if you have to order every part you need from France it will not be a good deal in the long run. Basically you want to make sure that the good deal you are getting is a good deal in the long run as well.

Finally, you may want to clean it up or fix it up. Many places offer inexpensive painting. So if you buy a lime green Pinto and want to give it to your child you can always take it in for an inexpensive paint job. This is a minor cosmetic car repair that can help your teenager feel less upset that instead of a brand new car they are getting something a little less glamorous.