Congratulations! Your son or daughter has passed matric and been accepted for university next year. Commiserations! He or she will probably need a car. And guess who'll be paying? That's right. You.
So where do you find an affordable car, and what questions should you be asking? Or rather, what questions should we be asking? My younger son is going to Rhodes University next year, so this is no theoretical essay. I will shortly be following my own advice.
I'm assuming you've asked the all-important first question - is a car really necessary? - and been persuaded the answer is yes. I also assume that, as the provider, you have a say in the choice of car.
The number of purchase options, both new and used, is huge. So is the temptation to buy the first vaguely suitable car you find. However desperate your son or daughter is to get behind the wheel of his or her own vehicle, take your time.
My first piece of advice: keep it simple. No sports cars or high-powered hatchbacks. Your child is not experienced enough to handle a car with a top speed of over 200 km/h, which can accelerate from 0-100 in five seconds. Believe me, teenagers push cars to the limit - particularly on the way back from the university bar with a carload of friends.
While we're on the subject of safety, is your child's life worth less than your own? Most of us drive cars with airbags and ABS antilock brakes, yet many parents are prepared to put their child in a car with no safety features. This despite the fact that your child is more likely than you to be in an accident.
However sensible your son and daughter may be behind the wheel, you can't guarantee the same of other drivers. For my own son, an airbag is not negotiable. I'm not quite as dogmatic on ABS brakes but I do insist that his car frame is designed to protect occupants in a crash. To find out about the car you're interested in, go to www.euroncap.com, the website of the European new car assessment programme, which tests all cars for safety.
Unfortunately, my personal safety foible rules out some of the most popular student cars of the past 20 years. Many of you, no doubt, will consider the VW CitiGolf, and understandably so. VW has worked hard to keep its 30-year-old "baby" up to date, but it remains simple, reliable and reassuringly staid. The same is true of the Toyota Tazz, though that is available only as a used car, since manufacture ended mid year. Both are off my shopping list because they lack airbags.
If your year-end bonus is burning a hole in your pocket and you want to buy a new car, prices start at R62 000 for the 800 cc Chevrolet Spark. If you want to spend a little more, the Daihatsu Charade, Fiat Palio, Ford Ka, Hyundai Atoz, Kia Picanto, Opel Corsa Lite and Tata Indica all have models under R80 000. The higher you go, the more options.
If you want a used car, the choice is even greater. But beware: there are lots of duds out there. Unless you're a mechanic, or you are prepared to pay an expert from the Automobile Association to check the car for rust and hidden mechanical defects, steer clear of private deals.
Auction houses can be an excellent source of bargains, particularly if they sell cars repossessed by banks. But there are no refunds for lemons. Car rental and leasing companies are a good place to look for reliable cars; their vehicles will probably still be under warranty. Most new-car dealers also have used-car operations offering warranties.
Which brings me to the last question: what does your son or daughter want to drive? What's "cool"? The answer is easy. Everything. Walk around any student car park and you'll see cars of every shape, size and condition. Few of the drivers will complain. The priority is not fashion, but mobility.
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