It's graduation/end-of-school-year season, so some parents will reward their high school or colleg grad with: (a) their first car, or (b) replacement wheels. Whether a car is a reward or is provided for practical reasons, parents should consider certain issues before plunking down their dollars on a car for their child or, as some experts suggest considering, a pickup. So, let's do a little pondering.

Most young people think they're immortal. They also want hot cars with cool sound systems and features. That leaves parents to think about safety, affordability, mileage and other matters, including how to meet younger siblings' expectations of equal treatment.

Safety

It's simple physics: because of weight, large does better in collisions, especially when small is also involved. Bigger crumple zones on larger vehicles also add to their safety. The larger vehicle might even be safer than a small vehicle with better crash-test ratings because the ratings only compare vehicles of similar weights. An SUV or a pickup might also be safer, though older models are more prone to rollovers. Truck-based vehicles are also harder to control, especially for smaller drivers, possibly leading to more fender-benders. So, parents should buy their child a larger sedan, probably used, that's mechanically sound, roadworthy and has good reliability ratings. It should be inspected by a mechanic or come with a dealer or manufacturer's (certified pre-owned) warranty.

If the ideal is to decrease the chances of an accident and reduce the possibility for harm, a child's vehicle should have ABS and airbags (which rules out 1994s and earlier). To get side impact airbags, you need models no older than 2000. Front-wheel- or all-wheel-drive vehicles are easier for inexperienced drivers to control because rear-wheel drive can fishtail in skids. Get all the safety you can afford, including traction, electronic stability and rollover control and seatbeltwith force limiters and pre-tensioners.

Teens have the worst numbers for crashes per mile driven and fatal accidents. That translates into no two-seat "pocket rockets." Parents should also avoid vehicles with things like hood scoops, loud exhausts or V-8s - in other words, anything that might lead to a phrase like "let's see what she can do" being uttered. That means that even some four-cylinder models belong on a not-till-you're-older list.

Expenses

If the current economy isn't reason enough, the fact that insurance on drivers remains high until they're 25 pushes most parents into the used market when buying for their kids. Avoid the headaches and lessened safety of a "beater." And, while leasing might get you into "more" car, there are penalties for rough treatment and no vehicle at lease-end.

Insurance costs are lower when teens are on parents' policies. Insurers also think mundane equals good, making safe, reliable four-door family cars that thieves don't crave the gold standard. Some auto websites, however, say parents should at least consider two-seat pickups for one reason: there's only room for one passenger. That's a big deal because, statistically, teens are in greater danger when driving or riding in teen-filled cars.

It's harder for many teens in today's economy but, if possible, they should try to contribute something to the operation of "their" vehicle. This could include paying for gas, insurance, maintenance, repairs or some combination of these costs. And it should definitely include paying for add-ons like sun roofs, special sound systems and exterior graphics, along with any resulting increase in insurance premiums. n