Subaru Legacy

Buying a first car for a teenager can be stressful. There are so many things to consider- safety, new/used, how many miles are on it, the maker, the gas mileage, how old is the car, etc.

First of all, a teenager does not need, nor deserve a brand new $10,000 car. Teenagers get in accidents! It may not always be their fault, but it happens. When buying a used car the typical "go to" brands are Honda and Toyota. These are great first cars when buying used, but I'd like to introduce you to Subaru.

My first car, a 1998 Subaru Legacy, was totaled a little over a year ago. It had almost 150,000 miles on it and was still running strong. The officer who reported to my crash told me that had I been in any other car, I would have been either seriously injured or dead. I thank God every day I had that Subaru. And "Subaru saved my life" stories are not uncommon.

All Subaru models are on the IIHS top safety list. They are the only manufacturer to have this, and they have it 2 years in a row. In addition, all Subaru models are AWD (all-wheel drive). This may seem like a useless thing if you don't live in the mountains, but I can tell you from experience that it is also WONDERFUL to have in the rain. I never once spun out on pavement (it happens all the time in the Honda civic I drive now). For a teenager learning how to drive this could save them from an accident.

While I could go on about why to buy a Subaru, I'd like to talk instead about how to buy a used one. This piece of information goes for all cars- know where your car is coming from. If the car you are considering is from up north (New England area) or near the beach, check for under body rust. The salt can erode the metals, making it hard for a mechanic to repair.

Don't rely on the carfax. Take the car to a mechanic to have it checked out. If the seller will not let you take the car to your mechanic- DO NOT BUY THE CAR. This is a clear sign the seller is trying to hide something. Don't believe the "it can't leave the county" or the "that's too far to take it" story. I've been able to drive a car 50 miles to have my mechanic look at it.

Make sure the car has a clear title. Many cars come from auctions and it's hard to know at first glance what's happened to it. The title will tell you if it's been wrecked. If the car has been wrecked, make sure that it wasn't a front impact.

Don't buy a car with more than 100,000 miles, especially if it is under 10 years old. The only time this is OK is if the car was pulled by a trailer (on the highway!) on many occasions.

Don't pay more than what the car is worth. No matter how good a car looks, even after your mechanic looks at it, it is still going to need a repair or two. While they may be minor or unexpected it's better to be prepared for those expenses.

Most importantly, do NOT buy a car with a rebuilt engine. This is a tell-tale sign for soon to come big expenses. In general, you want to look for a car that has original parts. Of course there are some parts that naturally wear out (belts, fans, radiators). But new engines or alternators are a no-no.

Buy a Subaru. There is no used car more reliable than a Subaru. A used Subaru in good condition will be modestly priced, last many years if the owner took proper care of it, is safe, and the sedans get extremely good gas mileage (25 city/ 30+ highway). Don't waste your time looking at an overpriced used Honda.

Your teenager will love the good looks and uniqueness of driving a Subaru. And you will be comforted knowing they are in one of the safest cars on the road.