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Choosing safe and reliable used cars for young drivers

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They may not be particularly sporty, but we found a dozen
affordable used cars that are safe and sane choices
for students and those commuting to their first jobs

By Jim Gorzelany
CTW Features

- Advertisement -

Driving a safer car is certainly important to all motorists, but it’s especially vital to younger drivers. That’s because car crashes remain the leading cause of death among Americans ages 15 to 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta.

While cash strapped families might be tempted to choose an older “beater” used car for a newly licensed son or daughter, older cars typically lack the latest safety features and can be risky in terms of reliability. And while small cars are often the cheapest way to go, they’re inherently less safe than are larger cars; the law of physics dictates that a larger and heavier car or truck will tend to protect its occupants better in a crash than will a smaller and lighter one.

It’s best to choose a used car that’s fitted with electronic stability control, which helps prevent a vehicle from spinning out of control or rolling over during emergency or otherwise sudden handling maneuvers (the federal government began requiring automakers to include stability control in all their models starting with the 2012 model year). Likewise, pick a model that comes with front-side and/or front/rear side-curtain airbags that help protect occupants in side-impact crashes.

Importantly, consider a model that fares best in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.safercar.gov). And forget about sporty and otherwise high-powered models that can tempt teens to test limits, both for posted speeds and their own driving mettle. As it is, most cars’ base engines should be sufficiently powerful for teen drivers.

Based upon our research of recent makes and models, we came up with a dozen five-year-old used vehicles (from the 2011 model year) that should be well suited to younger drivers. All originally came standard with stability control and both front-side and side-curtain airbags, and received top marks in crash tests conducted by the IIHS. Going a final step further, we consulted both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power reliability ratings for 2011 models, and included only those models that scored average or better from either or both sources.

We’re featuring our list of safe, reliable and affordable used cars from the 2011 model year. All are solid choices for novice and under-funded young drivers with amenable levels of performance and utility while meeting the above safety criteria. They include admittedly sedate-but-safe sedans like the Buick LaCrosse, Hyundai Sonata and Volvo S80, as well as a few extra-practical crossover SUVs that include the Honda Element and Subaru’s Forester and Outback. Applicable retail prices come from NADA guides.com at mid-year and assume a vehicle is in good condition and has around 60,000 miles on the odometer (prices are typically negotiable and vary according to location, mileage and condition, and whether the car is being sold by a dealer or a private party).

Just be sure to take any used vehicle under consideration to a trusted mechanic for a thorough inspection, and use a title-search service like CarFax to see if it’s been salvaged or flood damaged, or has open recalls.

© CTW Features

Safe and sane five-year-old used cars for young drivers

  1. Volkswagen Jetta compact sedan ($9,375-$12,100).
  2. Volkswagen Golf compact hatchback ($9,550-$10,550).
  3. Chrysler 200 midsize sedan ($10,050-$12,700).
  4. Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan ($10,700-$13,075).
  5. Ford Fusion midsize sedan ($11,200-$14,150).
  6. Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan ($11,600-$13,850)
  7. Subaru Legacy midsize sedan ($12,100-$18,100).
  8. Buick LaCrosse midsize sedan ($12,875-$17,350).
  9. Subaru Outback midsize wagon ($15,150-$19,975).
  10. Subaru Forester compact SUV ($15,275-$19,600).
  11. Honda Element compact SUV ($16,100-$17,075).
  12. Volvo S80 full-size sedan ($16,375-$19,725).

All vehicles are from the 2011 model year. Prices noted are retail estimates and come from NADAguides.com; each assumes the car is in good condition and has around 60,000 miles on the odometer (local prices may vary and are typically negotiable).

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