Buying a car can be stressful, with countless options to choose from and factors to consider. You usually have to strike a balance between something that’s within your budget, suits your lifestyle needs and is something you like aesthetically. Below we look at some of the things to consider to ensure you make a smart purchase.
What Features Do You Need?
Determining which car best suits your needs is the first step. Create a shortlist of potential cars that would make sense to buy based on your lifestyle, aesthetic preferences and budget. If you have a family and like to go on trips, your needs will differ from a student who lives in the city or someone who requires their car for work. Depending on your needs, you might look at things like:
- The number and size of seats
- Storage space
- Fuel efficiency
- Entertainment features
- Where you’ll use the car (e.g. city driving, off-road or both?)
- Tow capacity
The car you choose will rarely be perfect for every situation, but it’s possible to pick which would be most beneficial for you. What’s important to you? Engine power or fuel economy? Off road driving or easy parking in the city? Safety or size?
Know Your Budget
It’s important to set a realistic budget early and stick to it. While financing options are available, it’s a good idea not to get yourself in debt too much and a good proportion of the car price upfront. Remember that the cost of a car isn’t just about how much it costs upfront. You also have to consider things like:
- Fuel economy
- Insurance
- Registration
- Maintenance and repair fees
It’s particularly common for first car buyers to get carried away with aesthetics without considering the potential long-term downsides. For example, getting a European car and finding that servicing and repairs tend to be costlier over the life of the vehicle.
Safety Features
Researching a car’s safety features is also very important. Look for crash avoidance features like anti-lock braking, traction control and electronic stability control. These days, cars that are even within the budget range of first car buyers can have advanced safety features. For example, active cruise control, multiple airbags, pre-collision safety systems, lane departure warning and a reversing camera.
Choose Where to Buy
There are a number of places you can buy your next car, from a licenced dealership to a private seller, car auction or overseas import. The right option depends on your budget, what kind of car you want and how much effort you’re willing to go through to get the car you want. Buying through a dealership is typically the most hassle-free choice while a private seller can be the cheapest, although fraught with other risks.
Contact Car Care Joondalup for Expert Servicing and Repairs
For any and all auto repairs and servicing, our expert Joondalup mechanics can help. Call the team at Car care Joondalup on (08) 9300 9796 or contact us online today.