People tend to learn a lot from their parents. They aren't always easy lessons to learn, but the messages passed down from adults to their children can impact many aspects of their lives. You may even find that your parents have influenced how you drive, whether it's because they taught you the rules of the road or they showed you what not to do.
Just because young drivers may turn to their parents for some advice doesn't mean they believe everything they say. A recent study from Edmunds.com found that most motorists ages 18 to 34, also known as millennials, think they're better car buyers than their parents. Despite the fact that they have a high opinion of their own knowledge, they still bring friends and family in to help the process along. More than half of millennials confer with others, compared to just 37 percent of older drivers.
Millennials love to research
One of the reasons millennials are such savvy car buyers is because they know how to research all of their options. Many use mobile devices to read reviews, finding dealerships, comparing prices and researching financing options. In total, about 80 percent of millennials use mobile devices to complete one or more of these tasks, compared to only 46 percent of drivers over the age of 35.
"Millennials today are informed car buyers," said Avi Steinlauf, the CEO of Edmunds.com. "They're making the most out of the volume of information available at their fingertips, and it's helping them to make a smarter car purchase. And since a smart car buyer is a quality car buyer, it all points to an optimistic and healthy future for the auto industry."
They know what they want
Young drivers also have strong opinions about what they want out of a purchase. According to the study, most millennials are drawn to used cars. These vehicles may need a little more vehicle maintenance and care than their counterparts, but young motorists value the lower prices.
These individuals have a clear idea of what features they want in a car as well. For instance, about 80 percent of millennials want smartphone integration features. Approximately 62 percent of buyers said they would pay more for Wi-Fi access in the vehicle, regardless of potential problems or costly auto repair. A smooth infotainment system and Bluetooth are also important for these motorists, according to the report.