Sure! Your son or daughter wants a "classy car" that will be the envy of her friends -- or at least a car that's not, like, really embarrassing. So what's the answer?  An older model car that weighs over 4,000 pounds and can't go over 70MPH?  One that assures he'll "come out ahead" in a crash?

Or is it wiser to choose a late model car with the most up to date safety features? 

These articles show you how to decide.  And by the way, if you decide to buy a used car, you won't go wrong by spending about $10 to get a copy of Consumer Reports "Used Car Buying Guide."  It contains "Best and Worst Used Cars" complete with reviews, reliability ratings and expert buying advice, and is available at many bookstores and auto parts stores. You can similar information online here. [Opens a new window]

Recently one of our staff helped her daughter buy a used car. He sat with the Consumer Reports book in one hand and the other hand on the IIHS and III web sites to study safety ratings. Read the articles below and you'll be able to make a sound decision that balances cost, safety and that all-important "classiness."

• How to Choose a Safe Car for Your Teen [links to www.iii.org and www.safercar.gov]
• Teenagers and Safe Cars