Top Ten Cars for Teenage Drivers
According to Consumer Reports

	When looking for a car, you want to make the best choice. Here are a few tips: Safety—you want to make sure that above all else, you are safe in your vehicle. Finances—be realistic about your budget. While a flashy car may seem enticing, there are great, safe cars that are reasonably priced and still have cool features! Reliability—trust me, if you fork up the cash for a car, you're gonna want it to be around a while! Insurance Rates—they vary from vehicle to vehicle so check up with your insurance company to find out their specific rates. Comfort Level—consider who will be riding in the car. Do you need to travel with equipment or children? Market Value—this will differ from time to time so do your research and ask around. You want to find the best deal for your hard-earned cash!

By Lydia, Girl Scout, Citrus Council

For teens, a car can be a very important piece of equipment. Consumer Reports conducted research to find cars that are best for teenage drivers. The twelve cars they chose were done so because of their safety, reliability, and ease of use. Safety is always the most important thing to consider when buying a car—used or brand new—so it is recommended that a car have air bags.

About 20 percent of teens are in an accident within their first year of driving so it's good to be extra careful no matter what kind of car you drive. Reliability refers to how often the car might need repairs and this is important because most teens are on a tight budget and would rather spend money on gas than on repairs. With the national gas price average at approximately $2.83 per gallon, the fewer repairs needed the better. Ease of use refers to how well the car handles.

Ford Focus
Many people who have purchased and used this model of car have commented on the roomy cargo space, decent gas mileage—an average of 27 miles per gallon—and its quiet ride. The common complaints were that the tires were expensive and there was no automatic trunk, but overall it was a well-liked car.

Honda Accord
If you're looking for a used car, owners of the 2001 model had many nice things to say about this car's features but were slightly distracted by its boxy exterior. Most were impressed by the car's large interior, dependability, and choice of features. There are no head airbags which could be a safety issue, but this was also a well complimented car.

Toyota Camry
The 2007 model has been described as a very quiet ride, roomy and extremely comfortable. Regular fuel is usable in this car. That, alongside of its great gas mileage, means saving money on gas. The only complaint was that there was no Bluetooth available.

On the Road's advice:
Like Lydia said, safe, reliable and straightforward vehicles are most recommended for new drivers (and everyone, we think)! Whether or not you'll be getting a new car while in high school, chances are that someday, you'll have a car of your own to take care of. There's a lot to consider and while affordability is a big factor, you want to make sure your investment pays off and that you're not asking to end up broken down on the side of the highway! We've compiled a quick checklist for you so you'll know how to begin to research and ask questions to find the best car for you and your driving needs. Good luck!