Tips for Buying Your First Car

Finally, you’ve gotten your driver’s license and can’t wait to get out on the road. Whether you’re getting started with buying your first car, or already have some independent experience behind the wheel driving a family vehicle, it’s important to know what you’re looking for and what you hope to get out of your first car. Bear in mind that for many drivers, their first car is the one that teaches them a lot about the roads and can even set the tone for the rest of their driving experience. Here are some top tips to keep in mind.

Consider All the Options

Bear in mind that while there are some ideal ‘first car’ options, they are not always the best choice for everybody. When considering your options for a first car, you might want to look at ideas that are not usually considered for a first-time driver like a sensible sedan, especially if your requirements involve transporting children to school or you want to join in with your company’s carpool.

Think Carefully About Finance Options

When it comes to buying your first car, you are going to be presented with a wide range of finance options. You can purchase your car using a personal loan, get car finance from the dealership, or even lease the car, which means that while you never own it, you have peace of mind when it comes to repairs and maintenance and can trade your car in for a better one at the end of the lease, provided that you’ve been on time with payments. Of course, there’s always the option of purchasing your car outright with cash, too. Take some time to weigh up the options and determine the right one for you.

Avoid Brand-new Cars

It might be tempting to drive a brand-new car away for the first time – but the truth is that when you’re driving your first car, you are already at a higher risk of accidents compared to drivers with more experience than yourself. And the fact that the value of brand-new cars drops dramatically by simply driving them away from the dealership might be enough to make you question whether it’s worth it. Most of the time a decent used car from a trusted dealership is a wise choice.

Have Any Potential Cars Inspected

Unless you are a trained car mechanic or seriously know your way around an engine, don’t buy a car blind – always take somebody with you to inspect the car before you part with your money. Vehicles are complicated, and it’s not uncommon for a car to look perfectly fine to the untrained eye, only to have several issues and problems that become apparent once you’ve had it on the road for a while. This is just one reason why taking a test drive before you buy is also essential; this gives you the opportunity to see how the car drives and listen out for any sounds that could signify something is wrong.

What’s your ideal first car?