Choosing a car can be stressful. It’s a major purchase, and one that will have significant repercussions in your day-to-day life. Pick something that’s not quite right, and you’ll suffer from avoidable stress – and you might end up spending over the odds, too. Pick the right car, on the other hand, and you’ll enjoy a pleasant experience on the road.
So, how might we make this decision? There are a few factors to consider.
Set a budget
Your first step toward the right car is to set out a budget. Once you have an idea of how much you’d like to spend, your options will narrow instantly. This will save you from wasting time looking at vehicles you can’t afford – and trying to convince yourself that you can.
If you’re willing to go second-hand, then you’ll find that there are plenty of savings to be made. Similarly, you might decide that leasing makes more sense than buying outright.
When you’re setting out your budget, you’ll want to consider the cost not only of the vehicle, but the way that you’re financing it. You should also look at how expensive it is on an ongoing basis. We’ll come back to that soon.
What are your needs?
If you’re a single person commuting two miles a day through the middle of a city, then you’ll need a very different sort of vehicle to a family of seven living in the middle of the countryside. Think about how much space you need, how far you’ll be driving, and the sort of driving experience you want to have. Some cars are more fun to drive than others, and this might be something you want to consider.
Do you want to go electric?
The automotive industry has reached a bit of a tipping point. Electric cars are the next big thing – but you might not think that the technology is quite mature enough to invest in yet. If you intend to go electric, make sure that you have given due consideration to how your new vehicle is going to be charged. If you’re anxious about making the switch, then you might always go for a hybrid, instead.
Consider ongoing costs
When you’re weighing your purchase, you’ll want to think about ongoing costs. How efficient is your new car going to be? How often is it going to break down, and how expensive is it going to be to service? What about consumables, like quality replacement tyres from reputable brands?
In some cases, the cost of these things will remain constant, no matter what vehicle you’re buying. But sometimes, there will be significant variance. Do your research, and make sure that you’re not investing in a money pit.