Ask a teenager what car they want and then ask their parents what car they prefer for their child. You may get some conflicting answers. However, you just might get some surprising agreements too.

What teenagers want in a car

Generally, teenagers tend to place importance on:

• style (look cool, peer approval)

• small size (easy to manage, more personal, more economical)

• room for friends (no two-seaters, sedans OK)

• performance (go fast, peer respect)

• accessorizability (look cooler and go faster)

What parents of teens want in a car

Parents of driving teenagers, on the other hand, place importance on:

• safety (protect kids as much as possible even if driving unsafely)

• economy (kids dirve a LOT of miles, and have little money)

• reliability (kids and parents don't have time or money for repairs)

• insurance cost (rates are outrageous for kids anyway)

Fortunately, the characteristics that teens want and those that parents want are not necessarily conflicting. A number of car makes and models satisfy both parties' preferences, possibly with a small amount of compromise.

Which make and model cars are best?

Before we start, it should be mentioned that some of the vehicle makes/models we discuss here are new and some are older models that may be no longer in production, but still available as used cars. We discuss the merits of buying new-versus-used later in this article.

The Honda Civic is the hands-down favorite car for teenagers" ? and parents. It is small but easily holds four people, economical to buy and operate, extremely reliable, has nice styling and performance, and ranks very high on safety ratings. For those who want to customize its looks or perfomance, there are hundreds of companies who offer products and parts for the Civic. Insurance costs are relatively low for the Civic, even for teenage drivers. Used models are reasonably priced and very reliable.

Other favorites of teens that are also parent-friendly are Mazda3, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, and Acura Integra/RSX. These are compact vehicles with good fuel economy and low maintenance costs.

Models that are favored by teens, but less by parents (for good reason) are the Ford Mustang, Toyota Celica, Chevrolet Camaro (no longer manufactured), Pontiac Firebird (no longer manufactured), Jeep Wrangler, and Mitsubishi Lancer. These tend to be faster, higher performance cars that have lower safety ratings and high insurance costs for young drivers.

Models that are preferred more by parents than their teenagers include the Honda Accord, Ford Taurus, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Maxima. These models are larger, safer (because they are larger), reliable, economical, and enjoy reasonable insurance rates.

How about SUVs?

A number of manufacturers promote small SUVs to teenagers and young adults. These include the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda Element, Mazda Tribute, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota RAV4, Nissan Xterra, and Toyota Scion.

The primary concern with SUVs for teenagers is a greater tendency to roll over in high speed maneuvers due to a higher center of gravity. Inexperienced drivers tend to react to emergency situations with sudden moves that SUVs don't handle well.

If your teenager absolutely must have an SUV, opt for a stability control system for added safety and peace of mind.

Should teens buy new or used?

Cost is usually a big consideration in buying a car for a teenager. This tends to sway the decision toward buying a used car, which can offer more value for the money. Other costs, such as insurance, maintenance, and taxes, can also be lower.

However, new cars may offer updated styling, newer accessories, better gas mileage, and advanced safety equipment.

Some makes/models of new cars can actually cost less than used cars of the same make/model if manufacturers are offering promotional incentives and rebates. So be sure to compare both new and used before you decide.

How about leasing a new car?

Leasing a new car is a way to cut monthly payment expenses, but is not usually a good idea for teenagers. Leasing requires a commitment to stick out the lease until the end. Since teens' tastes change quickly, terminating a lease early to satisfy their desire to move to another car can be very costly. Leasing also limits the number of driven miles allowed, and the amount of wear-and-tear allowed without extra cost. These can often be problems for teen drivers.