Getting the right wheels for school
In a few weeks, thousands of Canadian students will return to school, and many of them will require some form of safe and reliable transportation.
Whether you have started car shopping or are about to begin, there are steps you can take as a parent or guardian to ensure that your child finds the right vehicle to meet their transportation needs.
Here are some do’s and don’ts, based on my own experiences:
Do plan to involve your child in the entire car-buying process.
The sooner he or she learns about establishing a budget, ownership costs, researching makes and models, evaluating dealerships and negotiating a price, the better.
Helping your child today will ensure they have the information and the confidence to do it on their own.
Do consider buying new. Many automakers offer attractive finance and lease rates on select new models. The obvious benefit of purchasing new is the warranty, and standard bumper-to-bumper warranties have improved steadily over the past two decades. Many manufacturers also offer incentives for new graduates.
Do test drive all of the vehicles on your short list. Online information is plentiful and accessible, but having your son or daughter test drive several vehicles will give them a good idea of which car is right for them.
Encourage your child to be curious, ask questions and understand the vehicle’s features and options during their test drive.
Do make safety a priority in the car-buying process. If this is your child’s first car, this is a good time to advise him/her about how to check engine oil and tire pressure levels; how to change a flat tire; how to minimize the risk of auto theft; and the importance of regular maintenance and safe driving.
Do consider buying a pre-owned vehicle, but be aware of curbsiders. Curbsiders are unscrupulous people who deliberately misrepresent themselves and the vehicles they are attempting to sell privately.
Consider purchasing pre-owned from a registered new car dealership — the benefits include CarProof vehicle history reports, complete reconditioning, competitive financing, roadside assistance, and more.
Do make sure that your child understands all of the financial aspects of owning and/or operating a vehicle — i.e., the cost of the vehicle itself, financing terms, cost of borrowing, depreciation; insurance costs; gas and maintenance costs.
Don’t start shopping for a car until your child has a fairly solid idea about what type of vehicle they want. Fuel-efficiency, all-wheel drive, and head/leg room are some of the considerations when shopping for a car.
Don’t hurry the process. Give yourself and your child at least two or three weeks to conduct a proper assessment of the makes, models and dealerships. When it comes to visiting potential dealerships, go at your own pace. If you feel pressured into making decisions that aren’t right for you or your child, then find another dealership.
Don’t encourage your child to lend their car to a friend. If an accident were to occur while a friend is driving the car, it could result in substantially higher auto insurance rates for your child.
Don’t put too much faith in articles entitled “Top 10 Back To School Cars.”
Many such articles can be found online, and they can be a useful guide, but limiting your search to just 10 vehicles is generally a bad idea. There are hundreds of models available. This column represents the views of TADA. Email president@tada.ca or visit tada.ca. Doug Sullivan, president of the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association, is a new car dealer in Huntsville, Ont. To reach Wheels Editor Norris McDonald: nmcdonald@thestar.ca