Which is the best choice for a new teen-age driver?

Sporty 2-seater? Compact economy car? Roomy SUV?

Buying a car is an important decision, especially for a teen with limited driving experience and an even more limited budget. While liberation and personal mobility may be of primary interest to a young person, a knowledgeable parent can help with the practical considerations in choosing a safe and reliable vehicle for a young driver.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Consider a late-model vehicle. Most newer vehicles have improved safety features. Look for such features as antilock brakes, traction control, anti-skid or stability control, adaptive cruise control and anti-lane deviation systems. These types of features can help keep young drivers safe.

• Consider capacity, responsibility. Your teen may be thinking "sporty," but you should think twice about buying a car that may tempt a teen to speed or drive recklessly. Also, crowded passenger compartments can compound distractions. A mid-size sedan is a better choice than a large-capacity van or sport-utility vehicle.

• Research insurance costs. Before you buy, make sure insurance coverage is affordable. If you finance a vehicle, your lending institution may insist on comprehensive insurance. Full coverage for a young person can be expensive, but teens who complete a driver-training program may qualify for discounts.

• Turn to the experts for advice. AAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provide crash-test ratings and other vehicle safety information at no charge. Contact your local AAA club for a copy of Buying a Safer Car.

• Look for a warranty. Select a vehicle with a remaining warranty or purchase an extended warranty. Have an independent mechanic inspect a used vehicle to verify its roadworthiness.

Affordability, safety and reliability are important considerations in vehicle selection. Equally important is preparing your teen to drive. The road ahead may be less worrisome if your teen has participated in a certified driver training program.

Many states offer instruction through local high schools. AAA's Teaching Your Teens to Drive is a common-sense guide for parents. In addition, organizations such as AAA offer driver education programs in video, CD-ROM and DVD format.

Your local AAA club may help you find the right vehicle at the right price. Some clubs offer member car-buying programs. Other AAA clubs participate in used-vehicle purchase programs in cooperation with experts in the field. The sales are member-only events that offer late-model, pre-owned vehicles with on-the-spot financing.

This information was extracted from So, Your Teen Wants a Car: A Parent's Guide to Choosing a Vehicle, a brochure published by AAA.

Check with your local AAA club representative for more information (alphabetical by state):

• Alabama to Louisiana
• Maine to New Mexico
• New York to North Dakota
• Ohio to Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island to Wyoming
• Canada