A car purchase is a long-term investment. Replacing your cars over a period of time costs a lot of money than keeping such cars for a longer period. More so, your decision can make or mar your finances. Thus, it is absolutely important to make a good decision before purchasing a particular car.
With these conditions in mind, you must consider both short-term and long-term needs for the car. You wouldn’t want to buy the type of car that fits your present needs but will likely be replaced in a few years due to personal reasons. However, cars become outdated with time due to technological advancements but a reasonable projection at the present time should factor in how far the car’s specifications will suit your needs for the next few years.
Furthermore, the intrinsic nature of buying cars necessitates that you differentiate between ‘likely’ changes and ‘probable’ changes. While ‘likely’ changes are those that might happen and the ‘probable’ changes are those that will definitely happen. For instance, it is foolhardy to plan your purchase with the thoughts of a family just because you are in love with your current partner. Perhaps you ignore the two-seater, you don’t have to squander the rest of your funds on a minivan. On the contrary, a newly married couple with plans of having a kid in a few months can embrace the reality of a minivan. In purchasing a car, there is a need to create a balance between reckless spending and prudent spending.
Based on your budget, what are the features that fit in?
There is an endless list of features as there are varieties of cars out there. You have to spend quality time to browse through your highlighted features and tick off the most important ones.
Here is a practical example:
There was a couple whose main features for their desired car were safety, practicality, and reliability. Looking at their list with proper scrutiny, they tried to determine if they were primary reasons for their need. Personally, they were expecting their first child – and this watered down their thoughts to convenience and space. Therefore, they started to question themselves if they could keep up with the maintenance costs, family safety, and so on. It was obvious that the latter features were more important than the first three. Even if they could stretch their budget to purchase a car with features such as Bluetooth, rear-view camera, and a built-in DVD player; they definitely weren’t necessary.
As such, they made their choice!
Be like this couple.
The features of your dream car may vary due to varying wants and needs. Perhaps you want something with the Bluetooth and rear-view camera features? Or you need a rugged car that does well on rough landscapes? Maybe you are a sucker for horsepower instead of space? You just might be like the few ones who love to purchase ‘tired’ cars because you enjoy fixing them up.
Whatever your priorities might be, they are different from another person’s. In any case, the wise buyer will prioritize the important features and take note of his purchasing power.
- A simple way to get around this is to gather different vehicles of similar models and compare each pair. How does a Sedan’s cost differ from an SUV from the same manufacturer? Without much ado, this analysis reveals the cost difference of cars that offer varying purposes.
- Also, you may compare different levels of a particular vehicle to understand the disparity in price when you factor in the luxurious features.
- Similarly, check out the same model of cars with different manufacturers that are renowned for reliability to determine the extra cost. Nonetheless, bear in mind that a reliable vehicle may have a lesser long-term cost even when the upfront cost appears to be huge. This is all about making a wise investment, remember? What this option drives at is ‘prioritization before evaluation’.
Initially, you must have a budget for your dream car. And you must make sure that your budget is your guide rather than your unending request for features. A great thought to consider is that in a case where the features are of great significance, you may check our used models. Surprisingly, you may purchase a car with your dream features at a great price.
Your Guide To Finding Exceptional Models That Stands The Test Of Time
Let us give some credit to cars – you can never find a vehicle that is 100% but most vehicles will probably meet most of your needs. For example, there are many reliable cars that are quiet, comfortable, and fun for driving. Regardless, trade-offs are inevitable. At some point, you may have to choose between a sporty handling and a good ride. If not, you may end up letting go off cargo space and engine power for fuel economy.
This guide will evaluate some worthy candidates. To narrow down the list, we may tackle the types of vehicles and their specifications. From the acceptable options, we will guide you to the best ones and highlight the outstanding abilities of the trade-offs.
As mentioned earlier, you must answer some specific questions about the suitable vehicle that suits your need. The objective? To select models that are approximately compatible with your needs.
The expected number of passengers
Generally, vehicles can conveniently house five people. Even though the center-rear position hardly qualifies as a seat because of the tiny space, a slim person can fit in. To confirm your doubts, you may take test drives with the people you have in mind. In a case where you have to carry extra passengers, you may consider a three-row SUV or a minivan. In special models, children may find a good use for the third-row seat. Besides, there is less cargo space when the seats become occupied. Also, sporty-looking cars consist of two doors. But if you could consider the frequency of using the rear seat, you may either purchase or ignore the sports’ car. In several cases, the passengers have to stoop and twist to enter the car. Even if you intend to fold your front seat to load passengers or use the child safety seat, both options are outdated.
What is the quantity of your cargo?
Are hauling equipment or outdoor activities very important to you? Your best bets are a wagon, a minivan, or an SUV. Usually, pickup trucks are suitable for people who carry heavy materials, tall cargoes that do not fit enclosed vehicles or dirty loads. In the field of car sales, the most widely sold pickup options are those with four doors and crew-cab. A drawback of this model is the short bed. But if you intend to purchase the pickup van for work than for family, it will benefit you to buy regular trucks because of the long bed option.
Manual gear or automatic shift?
Most times, people exaggerate the extinction of manual transmissions. But modern cars are mostly fitted with automatic transmissions. Some automatics come with manual-shift modes that are similar to manual transmissions in the absence of a clutch. In addition, manual shift modes are beneficial in mountainous regions because of their firm grip on long trips. Notwithstanding, the driving experience is even more fun when there is a stick in the car. Eventually, practical and fun shift ticks can be tedious in gridlocks or traffic jams. Additionally, the present automatics (six-speed, seven-speed, and eight-speed) help cars preserve fuel better than manual options – this translates to great fuel economy.
Driving style
Are you an agitated parent or a workaholic commuter? Do you have carpool duty every day? Maybe you prefer practicality but with a dose of fun for the weekends and daily drive to your abode? To choose your most preferred vehicle, you have to examine your driving style.
For instance, a driving enthusiast who seeks to relish every minute of driving should place close attention to cars that facilitate the handling prowess and driving time. Contrary to sporty cars, several cars offer comfort, ride, and cargo space without sacrificing agile handling. If your choice is comfort over driving, a Sedan is a befitting option. A good number of car options are convenient for cruising – large SUVs and midsized SUVs.
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You will quite a number of car variants with reasonable combinations of transmission and engine. Expectedly, one option is an economical choice while the second presents greater power without fuel economy. Most times, car manufacturers provide small engines based on the trims or models in order to save the best engines for the expensive types. Four-cylinder engines are found in SUVs and smaller cars. The number of cylinders offer great fuel economy but sacrifice the smoothness and power of a V6. For the larger population, the four-cylinder options offer a good combination of performance and economy.
Another prevalent option is turbocharging as it increases horsepower without hurting the fuel economy. For instance, car models that used the V6 have undergone transformation to turbocharged four-cylinder options. Also, V8 is gradually fading away as turbo V6s in bigger trucks and cars are quite compatible. More so, Ford-150 pickup truck delivers V8-like performance with its small turbo V6s. Exemplar fuel savers are diesel and hybrids. To confirm the effectiveness of the hybrids, drive your car into gridlocks or stop-and-go traffic and watch how the car returns excellent fuel economy. Meanwhile, diesel is beasts at fuel economy delivery on highways.
Important Factors To Consider Before Purchasing Your Dream Car
Coupled with your driving style, the type of vehicle and engine size are great players in a car purchase. Additional factors to consider are totally personal and would mostly unveil itself at the dealership. Some necessary tips are:
Determine your lifestyle, wants, and needs
So, what type of car do you want to buy? Highlight your needs such as performance or mechanical specifications, storage and seating capacity, and other considerations such as fuel mileage, towing capacities, and height restrictions. Furthermore, enlist your ‘good-to-have’ features such as heated or sunroof seats and a sound system.
Some categories of options that will aid your compilation are:
| Comfort and convenience
|
Cruise control
Power windows Power seats Power mirrors Outlets for cell phone charging or other devices Cup holders |
| Engine & performance features | Engine
Transmission Horsepower Towing Fuel mileage |
| Infotainment features | USB
Bluetooth Wi-Fi Touch screen iPhone compatible Surround sound CD player Navigation system |
| Seating | Bench or bucket seats
Split folding rear seat, 4, 5, 7 passenger, Leather, heated seats, Electronic vs. manual adjustments Armrests |
| Safety features | Air bags
Traction control Lane departure warning Back up camera |
| Storage & cargo carrying capacities | Cargo systems
Box Liners Tonneau covers |
| New vehicle & powertrain warranty | Length
Deductible Length of roadside assistance & courtesy transportation coverage Exclusions |
As soon as you have established your choice car based on lifestyle, needs, and wants, you have to determine how much you are willing to spend on the merchandise.
Determine the monthly budget of your vehicle
Although you crave a sports car, your budget may be leaning towards a compact car. Therefore, factor in the final cost of purchase and the long-term operating costs. Here, you probably should consider leasing. Leasing is a suitable option for vehicles that are meant for businesses as it is both tax-effective and cost-effective. If your credit history is moderate, you should get a lower interest rate on your loan from your desired financial institution.
Besides, the car payment option should leave some room for long-term operating costs. An affordable amount is about $500 every month to make base car payments but you must not leave our relative costs such as:
- Car insurance
- Maintenance, accessories, and snow tires
- Fuel costs – diesel, regular, premium
- Car payments, taxes, and interest
Make a competitive comparison
On average, you should compare three different brands in similar categories to discover the befitting car choice. Some car manufacturers will not provide as much value for your money like others. Nevertheless, ‘value’ is a subjective term that bears different meanings for several people. As long as you keep your needs in mind, you can crosscheck the features of one brand against the other so that you may recognize your personal values. For instance, some packages may give additional value without extra costs. In researching competitors, you may want to compare trim level to trim level and apples to apples. For instance, it is unfair and inaccurate to compare a loaded Mazda3 with a Honda Civic. A great place to start is the base model of the vehicles. As soon as you have established the baseline, you can add extra features. If the competitive comparison is thorough, you may go ahead to include:
- Vehicle specifications and dimensions
- Warranty information
- Reliability reviews
- Price
- Standard against optional features
At this stage, you may proceed to research different dealerships within or outside your area to check out their merchandise.
Research the dealership
The location, reputation, and operating hours of the dealership are important considerations for your new truck or car. The popular brands are present in large quantities in urban regions while the others have a short vehicle inventory. In case you have a targeted dealership and they do not have your choice car, you may locate another dealer with the exact options that you want in your dream car. Bear in mind that it comes without an additional cost. You may also check out Automobile malls as they are popular destinations for car purchases because several car brands can be found within close range – this makes the car buying experience quite fun and adventurous when you move from one place to the other.
Check the home dealership and determine the important factors that draw you to them – without considering who quotes the bigger price. A car dealer that offers reliable customer service may foster a longer relationship with:
- The proximity of the car dealer to your workplace or residence.
- A user-friendly interface on their official website. In case their stock is on the website, you can preview them and book an appointment if you like what you see.
- Confirm the reputation of the dealership for both services and sales. There are suitable forums to check for reviews of different dealerships.
- If you have a social media account, ask your friends and followers for suitable recommendations.
- Consider the cost of maintenance and the availability of the dealership. In the first years of ownership, some vehicles will have free maintenance options such as filter, lube, and oil.
Word From Us
With the right empowerment and research, you will determine your likely option and the possible cost before or after you shop for the car. You will successfully convert the fear of the unknown, due to the process of the vehicle purchase, into a fun and adventurous time. Meanwhile, the car business is the modernized setting of the horse-trading days of the Wild West. The difference, therein, is the quest for better horsepower than four-legged Mustangs.