The best car for your teenager is a 2008 Audi A3.

Go tell him or her the good news. We’ll wait here.

If only it were that easy. Teenagers know which cars they want. It’s the parents who ask which one is best for their new driver. Teenagers picture themselves on a highway with friends. Parents picture a smoking ruin and a frantic midnight call.

Every car for young drivers is a compromise of teen want and parental fear. And “best” largely depends on how deep your wallet is and where you want to put your money.

The good news is that a safe newer car doesn’t cost much more to insure than a less safe older car, and that there isn’t a huge difference in rates from car to car.

The bad news is that they all cost a lot to insure, because it’s your child the insurance company is afraid of, not his or her car.

Check out the full list from www.carinsurance.com and get prices, mpg info, repair info and insurance costs.