4 Things to Consider When Picking Your First Car
Posted in: Driving Tips, Fleet Driver News, News.
Passing your driving test is one of the major milestones in life, along with graduating, buying a house, getting married, and having kids. It means you are finally to get out on your own, hit the open road and go wherever the wind takes you. But before you can go on your first cross-country trip, you need to buy a car.
A lot of new drivers are not hugely bothered about the make and model of their new car. They are just happy that all those lessons have finally paid off. But it’s an important decision with several factors that should be taken into account if you are going to make the right choice. You want a car that you are happy with and last you for several years of safe driving. To help you make your mind up, here are four things to consider when buying your new car.
Budget
Driving is expensive, whether you’re forking out for tax, insurance, or alloy wheel repairs. How much money do you have to spend on your new car? This will be the most influential factor in your decision. You need to take stock of your finances and work out an upper limit for the price of your vehicle. You may be able to receive some financial help from your parents, or you may have to rely on your savings from your part-time job. If your funds are limited, never fear. A secondhand vehicle won’t set you back a fortune. And many dealers offer payment plans so you can part with your money in monthly installments, making the cost easier to swallow.
Reliability
A cheap car does not have to mean poor quality. You need a car that will be reliable, safe, and last you a long time. This is why it is important to inspect and test drive any vehicle before purchasing. If you do not know much about cars, make sure you bring someone with you who does, so that they can look under the bonnet and ask all the right questions. The lower the mileage on the vehicle, the less wear and tear it will have, although this will come at a higher price. Make sure you are totally happy with the car before paying, and don’t be afraid to walk away if something doesn’t feel right.
Comfort
You may be spending long hours behind the wheel in future, whether you’re stuck in traffic on the way to work or embarking on an epic road trip. Therefore you need to ensure you are comfortable in your new vehicle. Take a moment to test out the driver’s seat and see how it feels. Could you imagine sitting in it for hours? Is it easy to reach all of the controls and see out the mirrors? You want to feel comfortable and at ease.
Aesthetics
Finally, once you have considered the factors above, you can start thinking about how you want your new car to look. Maybe you have a preferred model, or perhaps you just want a car with bold colours. It’s OK for this to influence your decision, but don’t let it tempt you towards an unreliable vehicle.
Tags: 4 Things to Consider When Picking Your First Car
