by Matt Larson

Created on: March 04, 2007   Last Updated: November 07, 2008

There are a lot of factors that should be considered when you and your young driver set out to begin looking for a new set of wheels.

First, decide beforehand: How much of this car's expense is on your shoulders? Are you paying for insurance? Are you paying for gas? Are you paying for the car itself? Will you have to help register it?

If Junior is setting out to buy the car his or herself with his or her own funds, and doesn't plan to burden you at all with its upkeep or insurance, then theoretically the decision rests more in their hands than in yours. It is, of course, your duty to point out alternatives, and provide resources to help your young-adult make an informed, responsible decision.

Take time to do research together. Purchase a vehicle history report. Go and inspect the car with your youngster, and take it for a test drive. Judge his or her reaction, and then take time to drive it yourself if you can.

It's no secret that young-adults want fast, sporty-looking cars, but see if you can take time to find a vehicle which compromises between practicality and performance. There is a plethora of vehicles out there that will feel "zippy" enough to appease a youngster's sense of adventure, but be practical, reliable, and SAFE enough where you feel satisfied.

However, the bottom line here is that you should be involved in the process as far as your monetary obligation takes you. If you're paying for everything, then you're making the decision with your young-adult's input, if he or she is paying for everything, then he/she is making the decision with your input and taking responsibility for that decision.

The more cost you're going to share, the more say you should have in the decision-making process. Consider which factors are going to affect your costs.

This is an excellent opportunity for a lesson in responsibility. Many youngsters, at first, buy sports cars based solely on their social appeal only to sell them a short time later as they realize the impracticality of their decision-making.

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