Buying Your First Car? How to Choose the Right Model
Buying your first car is a lot like falling in love for the first time. After that, every car or relationship will inevitably get compared to the first one. You’ll naturally be better at buying a second or third car later on, but that’s not to say you can’t learn a few tricks on how to choose a suitable model for your car.
New or Used
New vehicles can be very different than something that is just new to you. Used models that are thoroughly inspected, and even verified under warranty by a dealer, can be a great value if the mileage or age is still reasonably low. If it’s your first car in your life, then your credit rating and history might not be strong enough for a new vehicle.
Brand
There are many different car brands, and many of them offer different value propositions. For instance, going with the Ford brand is likely to mean a lot of conveniences in terms of vehicle ownership. There is a whole network of dealerships across the country that can help you maintain your car or find one of theirs to buy. Mechanics will also have an easy time finding branded parts to maintain your ride.
Kind of Vehicle
There are two decisions you might have to face here. The first is going to be whether or not your vehicle is powered by gas, electricity, or a hybrid of the two. The second is what style of vehicle you want, be it a passenger sedan, SUV, truck, or van. Consider what your needs are in terms of a vehicle and then find something that matches.
Ongoing Expenses
When you’re looking at a vehicle, you have to factor in more than just the monthly payments on the car loan, if you have one. You’ll also need to factor in continuing expenses, such as gas or recharging, insurance, maintenance, and taxes and fees. If it’s a new car, maybe it’s only some oil changes for a while, but a vehicle with more mileage will start seeing its maintenance needs go up.
When you buy your first car, it’s likely to be the biggest purchase you’ve made in life so far. Choosing the right model isn’t just about being responsible with your money but also taking care of the health and safety of yourself, your passengers, and those you share the road with. Take the time to pick something just right.