Considering getting a car? Now is a great time! The pandemic has seen many of us growing reluctant to use or rely on public transport options. Having a car gives you the freedom of going where you want, when you want, without having others near you. Of course, this big investment will take some mulling over. There are a lot of different elements of different cars that can determine whether they’re right for you or not. Here are some things to consider before heading to a dealership.
Price
A huge factor in what vehicle will best suit you is the pricetag attached to it. Sure, we’d all like to drive luxury cars – and they may well tick all of our boxes best – but you also need to make sure that your car is affordable. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself handing it back or selling it before long. Start by making a budget. A budget will determine your total income and your total outgoings. Take your earnings after tax and other necessary deductions, deduct your essential costs (this can include things like rent or mortgage payments, energy bills, grocery shopping, water and more). The figure you’re left with is your disposable income and you can attribute part of this towards the costs of a car. Making sure you still have money left after car related costs is important too, as you need to be able to enjoy yourself rather than working just to pay all of your bills. Remember, there are various costs that come hand in hand with having a car. We’ve highlighted some below.
Vehicle Price
The biggest cost of a car tends to be the cost of the vehicle itself. Cars don’t come cheap, but they are worth the investment. You need to consider the cost of a car before buying it. There are different ways to get your hands on a car and each can see you pay a different price. Paying for a car outright tends to be the cheapest option, as there’s no interest involved. However, this is unfeasible for most. Alternative options include taking out a low interest loan or credit card to pay for the car and then paying the loan or card off over time. Many people also engage in types of lease and finance plans that may or may not involve owning the car at the end of the contract.
Insurance Price
Every vehicle needs to be insured if you’re going to drive or park it on public roads. This makes sure that if you’re in an incident, all relevant costs can be covered. Different vehicles come with a different insurance cost attached. Older cars may have higher insurance, as they’re more likely to experience issues and parts may be hard to come by. High end cars can have higher insurance costs, as they will be more costly to repair or replace. Other things that can impact your insurance price include your age, how long you’ve been driving, whether you have a no claims history and more. Make sure to use comparison sites and browse different options like insurance doctor. This will help you to get the best price policy possible.
Fuel Price
Different cars use different types of fuel and require different amounts of fuel to operate. Smaller, petrol cars tend to be cheaper to run than larger, diesel vehicles. You can generally learn how much it will cost you to fill your tank and how far the fuel will last by asking the manufacturer or dealer and reading reviews from others who own the car you’re interested in online.
Number of Doors
Different cars come with different numbers of doors. A three door car will have two doors and a trunk. A five door car will have four doors and a trunk. The number of doors that will be best for you will be entirely dependent on your individual circumstances and needs. If you’re likely to be driving alone a lot of the time and don’t have passengers often, a three door car can be fine. If you have a family, will regularly have passengers or have pets who need to get in and out of the car, a five door car will prove a lot more convenient.
Storage Space
One of the benefits of having a car is that you don’t have to carry all of your belongings with you on public transport, which can be heavy and cumbersome. Instead, you can put your items in the trunk or back footwells and transport them wherever you want easily. Of course, the amount of storage space you should look for in a car will depend on how regularly you transport a lot of items. If you find that the only time you have a lot of luggage on board is when you grocery shop, a small car with less storage space could be good for you. If you have a family who all have bags, or if you’re regularly carrying a pushchair or other large items, you’re going to need a vehicle with a lot more trunk space.
Test Driving
Once you’ve whittled down your options and have a few ideas for vehicles that will suit you, you should make sure to book a test drive in. This is extremely important. Sure, a car may look perfect on paper or on the manufacturer’s website, but it’s not until you’re in it and driving it that you can get a real feel for it. Many sellers will offer long test drives that allow you to get to know the car and to determine whether you like it in person. Make sure to book one in before committing to anything!
As you can see, there really is a lot to take into account and consider when it comes to choosing a new car. Hopefully, some of the information and areas of focus above should help you to get the ball rolling on this investment. Take your time, browse your options and you’ll eventually find the right vehicle to suit your needs and preferences!
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