Is there anything more exciting than purchasing your first vehicle? You’ve been dreaming about this moment, but where do you begin?
From the make to the model to everything in between, purchasing your first automobile takes careful planning and consideration. Whether you’re one of the 60% of teens getting their license before their 18th birthday, or simply waited to get your license and a vehicle till later in life, the checklist for a first-time car buyer remains the same.
So where do you begin? For the ultimate car buying checklist, keep reading.
What Are the Safety Features?
There are no two ways around it: safety is paramount. While accidents do happen, it’s crucial to ensure your safety—and the safety of others—at all times.
Do your research and ensure you’re choosing a vehicle that has standard safety features, such as airbags, antilock brakes, plenty of working seatbelts, and more, depending on how new of a vehicle you purchase.
New vehicles often come equipped with safety features, such as a backup camera, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and forward collision warning, to name a few.
Should you get in an accident, be sure to read the following article: “Assigning Blame: Car Insurance Coverage If The Accident Is Your Fault”
What’s Your Price Point?
Your price point will play a large factor in what you can spend. Rest easy, there are ways of affording your first vehicle if you don’t have the cash upfront.
Determine the amount of money you plan to spend monthly, taking into consideration car insurance prices. If you purchase your new vehicle from a car dealership, consider financing your leasing your vehicle. Oftentimes, dealerships have leasing specials around holidays, allowing you to leave their lot with a brand-new car at a fraction of the price.
The only drawback to leasing is you always have a car payment, as with financing, your loan is eventually paid off.
Are the Vehicles Fuel Efficient?
Are you purchasing your first car for a commute to work? If so, fuel efficiency plays an integral role in the car you choose. Be sure to do your homework and purchase a vehicle that offers the gas mileage needed for your trek to and from work.
If you’re only driving locally, then fuel efficiency may not be as important. However, if you’re environmentally conscious, keep in mind that gas-guzzlers harm the planet with their emissions, coming with a steep carbon footprint.
Hybrid vehicles not only save you gas money, but save the planet.
First-Time Car Buyer
Now that you know what to look for as a first-time car buyer, you can start shopping and make your move towards car ownership. Be sure to use this car ownership checklist as a guide, and to purchase the vehicle that best suits your specific needs.
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