New Cars For New Drivers

by james yin

"I have the power. I have the speed. I have more than 200 idle thoroughbreds under the hood just waiting for their chance to rip up the asphalt. I have just reached the state age requirements for driving and I'm loving every moment of it."

Freedom and independence are some of the ideas which flow through a teenager's head when it comes time for them to drive. They want speed, power, freedom from their parents, and contraptions in every nook and cranny. But, which car should they look at? Do they need 200 plus horsepower or Recaro racing seats?

Andrew Feuerstein, the owner of BMW and Competition Sports Cars Ltd., believes that safety is the primary concern when looking into the purchase of a car. "Most teens," he says, "are inexperienced behind the wheel and safety is of paramount importance." Feuerstein asserts that cars driven by teens should be equipped with at least 4 airbags. Two in the front and two on the sides. Anti-lock brakes are a must, and active traction control is imperative. These provisions will maximize the safety of the passengers. Feuerstein does not like the idea of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV's) and convertibles for teens because both "suffer catastrophic damage in a roll-over." He also explained how that danger is magnified when the passengers are not wearing seat-belts.

Second on Feuerstein's list is the cost of operation. The lower the cost of operations the better because, a car tied up in the mechanic shop is of no use. Reliability is a major part of the cost of operations. He indicated that many European and Japanese cars are very reliable, however some also carry a hefty ticket price.

Fuel efficiency is another important consideration for teens, Feuerstein told TeenSpeak, especially if they are going to be the ones filling the car up with "super" or "power premium." The higher fuel efficiency will be helpful during the rise of gasoline prices. When searching for the right car, it is helpful to look at consumer reports which gives the average cost per mile for most cars.

Practicality, Feuerstein added to the list of teen driver needs. Questions like "How many people and gear are going to be in it?" must be asked. A hockey player, for example, might not want to purchase a car with little to no trunk space. Cars must be bought according to their usage.

Of the BMW line up, Feuerstein believes the 3-series are the only appropriate cars for teenagers. He explained how they are extremely safe and extremely durable. There are no fewer than 4 airbags and traction control and anti-lock brakes are standard. "The higher classes and larger cars are just not age appropriate for teens, he added."