Most people need a car to get by in life, but your need will depend greatly on your current situation. Over the years, you will be looking for different features and will have to weigh up exactly what you want. Costs, performance, and functionality will all have to be explored before you make your final choice.
Of course, if you have a lot of money to burn, then you can buy what you like, whenever you want. But the reality for most people is that you will have to make a choice. If that sounds like you, then read on. Here’s how to choose the perfect car for your situation, every time.
Think about what you need
Buying a car should based purely on practicalities. As cold-blooded as that might sound, it’s the truth. Cars are expensive to buy, expensive to run and are the biggest investment you will make outside of buying a house. So think carefully about what you need.
Will you carry a lot of passengers? Are some of them children? Do you do most of your driving on the motorway or through cities and towns? All these things - and many more - will be a big influence on your decision.
Your best bet is to write down everything you will need your car for and put them into categories. Space, fuel efficiency, terrain, children’s needs, and insurance costs should all be noted.
The next biggest factor to look at is your finances. Are you in a position to buy a new car outright, whether brand new or from a dealer? If not, then you will need to look at other options.
Trade-ins are very popular, although you will need to do a lot of research on your current car to ensure you get the best price. You could also think about financing. However, is it worth it? Although you might be able to meet the monthly payments for a new set of flash wheels, over the course of your loan, you could end up paying an extra 50%. Throw in depreciation over five years, and you could end up losing money.
It’s something you need to think seriously about - and you should use the practicalities listed above to make your decision.
Choose your car
Thanks to the Internet, there are a lot of resources out there that you can use to find your perfect vehicle. Start your search at the Euro NCAP website. It lists all cars in terms of reliability and safety, with independent reviews. It’s probably the best source out there for finding a car that will last a long time and cost you less in maintenance and repairs.
Once you have chosen a make or model, you can refine your search a little. A lot of dealers have helpful tools that you can use to finalise your choice. Head over to Inchcape Lexus for a great example of this. Click on the ‘Help Me Choose My Next Lexus’ link and it will take you through to a new page.
There, you can enter all of your different needs, and Inchcape will suggest a model for you. Now you can compare their suggestion with the other cars on your list and quickly check the Euro NCAP site. Finally, choose the vehicle that suits you best. And that, folks, is the best way to find the perfect car, every time. Until next time!
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