The Best Used Cars for Todays Teens

4 of the Safest Used Cars For Teens That 

Won’t Break The Bank

Here’s the reality when it comes to the vehicles our teenagers drive. Too often, budget takes precedence over safety. Our goal is to make your car buying experience the best possible with great prices and service. Teton Motors Inc’s virtual dealership offers a wide variety of new and used cars, Buick, Chevrolet, Subaru incentives, service specials, and Buick, Chevrolet, Subaru parts savings. Conveniently located in Jackson, WY. we are just a short drive from Pinedale, WY., Star Valley, WY and Victor, ID.

At Teton Motors Inc we pride ourselves on being your reliable and trustworthy Buick, Chevrolet and Subaru dealer. Our inventory is filled with some of the sweetest rides you’ve ever seen and they’re all reasonably priced too! Sales professionals at Teton Motors will go the extra mile to help you get what you 


4-Safe-Used-Cars-For-Teens

A recent study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that more than half of all used cars purchased for young adult drivers were 2006 or earlier model year vehicles.

Also, the study found that two-thirds of young adults who drove a vehicle already in the household were driving models from 2006 or earlier.

So What Changed After 2006?

I know what you’re thinking.

The fact is that vehicles from 2006 and earlier aren’t likely to have safety features like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Side Airbags – both proven in their ability to help keep drivers and passengers of all ages safe and sound.

Electronic Stability Control (sometimes referred to electronic stability program, stabilitrak or vehicle stability program) is a technology that improves a vehicle’s stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction.

When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help “steer” the vehicle where the driver intends to go. Braking is automatically applied to wheels individually, such as the outer front wheel to counter oversteer or the inner rear wheel to counter understeer.

A pretty impressive technology, I’m sure if you had the choice, you’d prefer your children were driving a vehicle that came with some form of ESC, right?

The technology became so effective in preventing accidents, that in 2008 some form of Electronic Stability Control was mandated to be a standard feature on all vehicles weighing under 10,000 pounds.

Budget AND Safety

As a parent, we should never have to choose between budget and safety.

That’s why we took a look at this list of safe used vehicles for young adults as recommended by the IIHS and selected 4 used vehicles that offer a great balance between affordability and safety.

In addition to affordability, the recommended vehicles all take in to account these four main principles:

Young drivers should stay away from high horsepower vehicles.

• Bigger, heavier vehicles protect better in a crash.
• ESC is a must.
• Vehicles should have the best safety ratings possible.
• The best part about this list is that I feel not only will you as a parent feel comfortable about having your teens drive these used cars, but your kids themselves will also find plenty to like about each used vehicle featured.

Who ever said ‘practical’ has to be boring?

1. Buick Regal (2011 and later)
2011 Buick Regal safe used cars for young adults

Why your teen will like it: Sporty handling, plenty of standard features, upscale cabin

Why you will like it: IIHS Top Safety Pick, high fuel economy

(Browse our used Buick inventory)


2. Chevrolet Malibu (2010 and later)

2010- Chevrolet Malibu safe used cars for young adults

Why your teen will like it: Excellent ride, comfortable seats, straightforward controls

Why you will like it: IIHS Top Safety Pick, 5 Star NHTSA crash rated, good 4-cylinder fuel economy

(Browse our used Chevrolet Malibu inventory)


3. GMC Terrain (2010 and later)
2010 GMC Terrain safe used cars for young adults

Why your teen will like it: Quiet and attractive cabin, good handling, roomy interior

Why you will like it: IIHS Top Safety Pick, 5 Star NHTSA Crash Rated, good fuel economy

(Browse our used GMC Terrain inventory)


4. Subaru Outback (2010 and later)
2010 Subaru Outback safe used cars for young adults

Why your teen will like it: Carlike driving experience, supple ride, comfy front seats

Why you will like it: IIHS Top Safety Pick, top safety scores, MotorTrend SUV of the Year in 2010

(Browse our used Subaru Outback inventory)


If you didn’t find the exact used vehicle you were looking for here, you can browse our complete inventory of pre-owned vehicles here at Teton Motors. If we don't have the exact car or truck you are looking for lets us know what it is and we will do our best to locate it for you. Happy Shopping!

Information is a collection of the following sources: www.familydealblog.com

Written by Melissa Larson, Analyst
Dealer CMO 
Interactive Results  Agency 
San Jose, CA 
I can be reached at melissa@dealercmo.com

Test Drive Tips Making the Best of Your Car Buying Experience

 

Test Drive Tips - Make the Best of Your Car Buying Experience!

More and more of the car shopping process is now taking place on the internet.  From researching vehicles you are interested in, to looking for specific inventory and even beginning the financing process.

However, there’s one aspect of the car buying experience that can’t be replicated online (yet!) and that’s the Test Drive.

10 Terrific Tips For Taking A Test Drive

 

Roll your sleeves up, put on those driving gloves and take a nice, long test drive.

So what exactly should you be looking for when you test drive your next vehicle? I’m glad you asked!

1. Prepare

Do your homework!  The average consumer today visits almost 20 websites, watches almost an hour of online video, and spends close to 12 hours in total shopping for a vehicle online before entering a dealership.

Before you set off to visit your local dealership, schedule an appointment to take a test drive.  Any dealership worth buying or leasing a vehicle from will prepare just as hard as you have for your arrival.  

At Teton Motors, we’ll make sure the vehicle you wish to drive is gassed, cleaned and pulled up front awaiting your arrival.  When you arrive, your Sales Professional will be ready to greet you and have you on the road in no time at all!

2. Know Which Vehicle You Want To Test Drive

Knowing exactly which vehicle and what trim level you wish to drive when you arrive is greatly beneficial.  If you were interested in the 2016 Subaru Forester Limited with Navigation, then make sure that’s the car you test drive.  Although they have the same body style, taking the base Forester out for a spin wouldn’t give you the same drive and feel as the GT.

If you are open to other options and trim levels, take those for a test drive as well. Don’t assume all the various trim levels of a model drive the exact same.

3. Get To Know Your Vehicle

Prior to getting behind the wheel, your Sales Professional at Teton Motors will give you what’s known as a “walk-around presentation” on the vehicle you’ll be driving.  Pay close attention to make sure the features on the vehicle are the ones you are specifically looking for.  If something’s missing from the vehicle (or there’s something extra) don’t be shy when asking about it.

Before you drive off make sure you know where the headlight and windshield wiper controls are located, make note of how easy it is to access radio and climate controls, and check out the size of the glove compartment and center console storage areas.

The goal is to have a general idea of where everything is and what everything does before you begin your test drive so you can concentrate on the vehicle itself.

4. Is It a Fit For The Whole Family?

You’ll want to keep in mind the rest of the family and how the vehicle will work for them. If you are shopping alone, ask yourself if your spouse will fit comfortably in the passenger, drivers and back seating area. If you have young children, will all the car seats and booster seats safely fit in the back row?

5. Turn off the Radio

Although a quality sound system is important to some shoppers, save testing this feature out until you have sufficient time behind the wheel.  You’ll want the cabin environment to be as quiet as possible so you can better hear the engine, the smoothness of gear changes and wind noise.

Once you’re happy with the sounds of the vehicle in its natural state, feel free to tune into your favorite radio station and enjoy the soundtrack to your test drive.

Don’t forget to test the horn! You’ll want to know what kind of power it has.

6. Duplicate Your Everyday Driving

When test driving a vehicle, be sure to drive on the same types of roads and freeways you use every day.

Do you have to travel up and down a mile long stretch of dirt road each day? Then ask your Sales Professional at Gladstone Mitsubishi to direct you to the nearest dirt road so you get a feel for your vehicle in real-life situations.

7. Check Your Blind Spots

Part of being a safe driver is knowing where the blind spots are on your vehicle. Because we’re all different heights and adjust our seats differently, blind spots may be different for each driver in your family. Ultimately you’ll want to make sure your full field of vision is comfortable in your next vehicle.

  

8. Check The Brakes

Find a deserted street or empty stretch of parking lot to test the brakes. Make sure no one is behind you, accelerate to a legal speed and depress the brakes. Make a mental note on how they react to your pressure. You don’t want the brakes to be grabby or over sensitive. The braking should be smooth and even with moderate pressure on the brake pedal.

9. Parking and Turning Radius

How easy is it to maneuver your vehicle into a tight parking spot? As you wrap up your test drive, find a place to parallel park the vehicle and test out its turning radius.

10. Test Comparable Models The Same Day

If you plan on driving multiple vehicles before making your final decision, do your best to test drive each of the vehicles in the same day.  This way you’ll be able to easily compare each vehicle you drive so you can make an educated decision on which you’ll ultimately purchase or lease.

Let’s Go For a Drive!

Whether you are shopping for a new or used vehicle, our dedicated team is here to make sure your entire car shopping experience is stress free from start to finish.  Call us today at (888) 817-0689 or click to schedule your VIP Appointment.

Summer Road Trips – 5 Ways to Survive the Drive!

Summer Road Trips –

5 Ways to Survive the Drive!

Road Trips can either be amazing journeys that you remember forever or they can be the thing of nightmares that you’ll never forget (as much as you may want to).

If you want to have a Zen-like vacation that’s free of stress it all comes down to preparing ahead of time.

So whether you’re hitting the road to visit your family or you’re diving off to experience something new – follow along with these 5 Ways to Survive the Drive and the odds of you having an anxiety free vacation are in your favor.

1. Prepare Your Vehicle Before You Hit the Road

OK, first things first.  Your mind and body won’t be in a peaceful state if your vehicle isn’t prepared to handle the rigors of a long road trip.

Before you set out on your journey, make sure your vehicle is in good shape.  Check your oil, tire pressure and all the vital fluids.  If anything needs to be tuned up or fixed, schedule a service appointment before you head out.  Call Teton Motors Service Department (877) 209-8106  and we will get your vehicle dialed-in for your trip.

Remember, if the check engine light comes on during your journey, stop immediately and get it checked out.

2. A Road Trip Is About the Journey, Not the Destination

The best part of a road trip is appreciating the new landscapes and structures as you drive leisurely drive past them.  If you want a true Zen Road Trip, be mindful of the beauty that surrounds you during your trip and take your time getting to your destination.

If you know you’ll be on the road for 12 hours or more before arriving, do yourself a favor and don’t rush to get there as quick as you can.  Find a quaint little town to stop in along the way and stay the night or listen to your inner-self and go off course to see the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in person.  Making impromptu stops along the way to check out local attractions are a great way to break up the drive and give others a chance to get behind the wheel. 

Remember, there’s a reason truck drivers aren’t allowed to drive over 11 hours in a day – it’s just not safe!  Make pit stops as needed and don’t be shy about exploring your surroundings.  Whatever you do, don’t forget to enjoy the journey.

3. Plan Family Car Activities

While you and your spouse might be able to drive for hours on end in zen-like silence enjoying the view, your kids aren’t equipped to do the same.

If you’re traveling as a family, make sure your kids have plenty to do while they’re sitting in the car so they don’t get all squirmy and increasingly loud – thus interrupting your peaceful journey down the road.

Whether it’s playing a game, reading or singing along to music, keeping their minds engaged is key. Maybe stop at the dollar store before you leave and pick them up a cheap, new toy that will pique their interests.  The more the kids have to do, the less they’ll be asking “are we there yet?”.

4. Less is More When Travelling

Avoid the urge to pack everything but the kitchen sink when you take a road trip.

If you realize you left something behind, that’s just an excuse to have a new adventure along the way.  You never know what kind of lasting memory can be made.  If you can’t be without your worldly possessions, just remember to not pack your trunk or back seat too full – make sure you can see out the back windshield while you’re driving.

Also, don’t forget that the heavier your vehicle is the worse fuel economy your vehicle is going to get.

5. Stop Stressful Spending

If there’s one other thing that can make your road trip stressful, it the amount of money you spend along the way.

Trips can be expensive, especially if you have a big family.  If you plan your vacation well in advance, you can start a “vacation fund” and save cash whenever you get the chance.

It’s also more practical to pack your favorite snacks, meals and drinks to take with you so you’ll spend less money eating out and you’ll have a quick fix for when you hear your kids complaining about being hungry.

No matter where your travels take you this summer, we hope you not only survive the drive, but thoroughly enjoy every last mile.

Safe Travels!

Teton Motors

Teton Motors Inc in Jackson, WY., is proud to be an automotive leader in our area. Since opening our doors, Teton Motors Inc has kept a firm commitment to our customers.  We offer a wide selection of vehicles and hope to make the car buying process as quick and hassle free as possible.

Teton Motors Inc has an experienced and reliable Service and Parts departments that are open extra hours to help fit our customers' hectic schedules, and as always, Teton Motors Inc offers competitive pricing for your automotive maintenance needs. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority, and our staff is committed to achieving this goal in every aspect of our business. Please feel free to reach us at (888) 817-0689 if you have any questions or comments.

Fuel Economy – Save $ on Gas and spend on your Vacation instead!

Fuel Economy – Save $ on Gas and spend on your Vacation instead!

The summer travel season is upon us and right on cue the average price of gas in the Midwest is beginning to creep back up towards the $3+ per gallon mark.

Start looking for new ways to maximize your current vehicle’s fuel economy!

1. Old Engine Oil = Lower Fuel Economy

Does the age or quality of your engine oil have an impact on your fuel economy?

The answer is Yes!  The quality of your engine oil does indeed affect your fuel economy.

Vehicles should have a regular service oil change every 3,000 miles approximately and every 1,000 miles in extreme conditions. 

2. Stop Carrying Dead Weight

Get rid of all excess stuff you carry in your car.  Start cleaning that car out to get rid of all the junk that isn’t being used.  Hauling all of that old stuff makes your engine burn fuel faster.  On a typical vehicle, every extra 100 pounds, increases fuel consumption by 2%.

Want to get another boost of MPG’s?

3. Break Your Bad Driving Habits

Let’s face it, we all have some bad driving habits.  Now I know habits can be hard to break, but if you want to get the maximum fuel economy, you’re going to have to change your gas guzzling ways.

Did you know aggressive driving such as rapid acceleration and speeding can decrease your gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds and 5% around town?  The more steady and consistent your driving becomes, the more fuel efficient your vehicle will be.

  

4. Cruise Control Won’t Help You

My Dad used to say that by setting your vehicle’s cruise control between 60 and 65 MPG you’ll be driving along the freeway most efficiently.  Not so fast!  What about the shifts in terrain?  To get better control and save fuel you will have much more control over how your vehicle handles the road if your foot is on the pedal.

5. Avoid Traffic With an app called Waze

Did you know there’s a FREE smartphone app that will help you boost your fuel economy?  Waze is a navigation app that sends real time traffic and construction updates right to your phone.  Waze is a trustworthy navigation system and has never led me astray.

6. Properly Inflated Tires

This may be the most-common knowledge of all of our tips. 

It’s recommended that you check air pressure every other time you stop to fill up your gas tank. Keep in mind that many vehicles have different tire pressures on the front and rear.  

The first place to look for the correct air pressure for your specific tires is your vehicle owner’s manual. Correct air pressure should also be listed on the tire placard attached to the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door or fuel door.

Need more advice on what maintenance your vehicle needs for optimal fuel efficiency?  Your local Teton Motors Service Centers service all makes and models.  Give us a call at  (877) 209-8106 or visit us online today!  We always offer Service Specials and would be pleased to provide you with an estimate.

---

Here at Teton Motors we want you and your pet to travel safe.  Together with Subaru Drive Magazine we put together safety tips for your next trip with your best friend. PETS ARE FAMILY MEMBERS, AND THEIR SAFETY, COMFORT, AND COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL RULES OF THE ROAD SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WITH EACH TRIP THEY TAKE. A RECENT SURVEY* indicates that approximately 80 percent of owners don’t restrain their pets when traveling in vehicles. Pets, like humans, sustain injuries when unrestrained, and cause injuries to other vehicle passengers. For a small animal, even a sudden stop can result in serious injury or death. Here are some tips for traveling with your pet. BEFORE YOU GO Preparation is an important part of your trip. Within 10 days of your trip to some destinations (particularly when crossing state or international borders), your pet will need a current tag/microchip, a health certificate, and proof of rabies vaccination. Attach your temporary contact information while you’re traveling. For your peace of mind and your pet’s comfort, plan on taking along your pet’s photo, food and water dishes, leash, food, and water. Before a long trip, ensure your pet is accustomed to riding. Acclimate your pet with its kennel, harness or restraint, and method of transportation prior to travel. Before a long trip, ensure your pet is accustomed to riding. ON THE ROAD More tips for traveling with your pet Follow your pet’s regular feeding routine, with minimum feeding while traveling. Ice is handy for pets with upset stomachs. Stop every two hours for exercise. Rest stops often designate areas for pets. Keep your pet leashed with a collar and proper identification. Remember that some states have leash laws. Provide your pet fresh water while stopped. Take water with you in case resources aren’t available. Please clean up after your pet. Don’t leave pets unattended in a vehicle. On warm days, vehicle temperatures can rise to 120 degrees in minutes, even with windows cracked. An unattended pet is an invitation to thieves. VEHICULAR SAFETY Harnesses, tethers, and other travel accessories are available for most pets. A harness or kennel is safest and keeps your pet from distracting you. Start with shorter trips until your pet is used to its kennel or tether device. KENNELS. Kennels for cats and dogs should be well-ventilated and stable, without interior protrusions. Kennels in truck beds should be secured to the truck. Use barriers for kennels in wagons and SUVs. TETHER DEVICES. A harness affords the best protection in extreme situations. Harness devices easily attach to a vehicle’s seatbelt system. California and other states now require animals to be tethered in vehicles. In addition, dogs should not hang out the window, where dirt or debris can injure their eyes, ears, and noses. Also, they should not ride in seats equipped with frontal airbags, which could injure them severely in an accident. LEGISLATION Several states now require animals to be secured in vehicles. Plus, approximately half of the states have fines for not restraining pets riding in vehicles. COMPARTMENT SEPARATOR Subaru offers an accessory compartment separator that partitions the cargo area from the passenger seats, which enhances safety in a sudden stop or impact. This accessory is available for Tribeca, Forester, Legacy wagons, and Outback wagons. Installation and removal of the separator do not require tools. See your dealer for details. The Subaru accessory cargo tray protects the cargo area from dirt and spills. It can be removed and rinsed clean. * Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.