Many parents opt to buy used cars for their teens when they're old enough to drive, but it's important that families do a bit of research to find which models are well-suited for teen drivers. Parents obviously want something safe and reliable, and good gas mileage never hurts. One aspect that many people overlook, however, is insurance premiums

"The good news is that a newer car with the right safety gear doesn't cost much more to insure than an old car," said CarInsurance.com managing editor Des Toups. "The bad news is that your teen will be expensive to insure no matter what he or she ends up driving."

CarInsurance.com recently published their picks for the best cars for teen drivers, organizing the list according to the average insurance premiums that drivers can expect to pay. The cars, all from the 2008 model year, are also all Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety.

Although the Audi A3 topped the list, most teens probably won't be getting a luxury car for their first vehicle. Fortunately, models like the Honda Accord, Ford Taurus and Nissan Rogue also made the list.

One thing that's important for parents to take into consideration is auto maintenance. Those who have teens driving for the first time need to make sure that the vehicle is in top condition, as this can help avoid accidents due to mechanical failure.