What Kind of Car Should I Buy?
From compact environmentally friendly cars to powerful utility vehicles, the automotive industry includes a wide variety of choices. When you are in the market for a car, it is important to take a look at what you need and prefer in a vehicle before starting to shop. Take a look at what you have driven in the past. Was it the right car for you? Did it have enough space and capability? We’ll help you answer “what kind of car should I buy?“
Some of the basic questions: New or Used? Your Budget? Are important to think about first. There’s nothing so disappointing as getting your heart set on a car and then finding out it’s completely outside of your price range. It’s better to dream within your limits by knowing what you can afford right off the bat.
Another big thing to consider is what you plan on using the car for. If you are driving a million kids around town all day, you’ll need something different than a single driver who uses their car for the daily commute. A car for highway driving and long-distances should be as efficient as possible. While the idea of traveling to work in a hot-rod everyday might be appealing, your wallet will thank you for choosing something more economical. A car used for towing trailers and heavy duty work will need a bigger engine and more utility features. These will use more gas, but their horsepower and torque can handle the load.
After figuring out what you need, think about the impact this will have on your wallet. With factors like depreciation, maintenance, and insurance, it is crucial that you do a little research. A car with a better long-term value will require less maintenance (if you take care of it) and will trade-in for more down the road. All cars depreciate, it’s just a matter of choosing one that does it as slowly as possible.
Finally, the important thing when figuring out what you need and can afford in a car, make sure to consider the costs of maintaining the car preemptively. If you take good care of a car (changing the oil, rotating the tires, driving it safely), it will save you time and money as you will be able to drive it longer with fewer problems along the way.