by: Kevin Schappell
Your car may be the second largest purchase you make in your lifetime. You must take your time and not let it become an impulse decision. Before you go out browsing dealer lots consider the following:
- How will I use my new car, truck or sports utility vehicle? A mini-van will fit fine in a large family but might be out of place in a singles life. Do you go off-road a lot but still like to carry more than 2 passengers, go for the SUV. Trucks have come a long way with most comforts available in today’s truck rivaling luxury cars. But do you really need that to carry construction equipment to the job site? If you do not go off-road, do not buy a 4 wheel drive truck. The extra weight will only decrease gas mileage and increase maintenance costs. Afraid of the snow? Look to the variety of AWD vehicles on the market which provides excellent traction in the snow and also more economical operation. Take a serious look at your life and find the vehicle that most compliments your lifestyle.
- Color choices. This is a personal preference but rational can come into play. In warmer climates, a lighter colored car will stay cooler. Certain cars are easier to keep clean. White and black are the worst while tan, silver, and brown hide dirt quite well.
- Interior options. Do you need heated seats? Well, that depends on where you live and how much winter driving you to do. Leather seats can be unbearable in the summer months and generally harder to maintain. Do you listen to music often? The premium sound system might be a great idea if you do, however, if you only listen to talk radio then the standard system will be more than enough. Do you need a reversing camera installed into the car? It might be easier for you to buy the best wireless reversing camera uk instead. These are all things you’ll need to consider.
- Insurance rates. Take into consideration the insurance rates before you start you car buying quest. A Honda may be significantly cheaper to insure than the Ferrari that caught your eye last week. Talk with your insurance agent to find out about how cars are classified. Sports cars generally raise premiums while family cars tend to lower them. You could visit Insurance Quotes to get a comparison of deals. This will allow you to get a vague idea of the insurance cost before buying a car you are interested in, but will also allow you to find the best deal once you have bought it.
- Who will service the vehicle? Having a dealership close by can be a blessing. If there are no dealerships nearby, buy a domestic car which most mechanics can work on. It is also important to examine the warranty offered before making a decision.
I hope the few comments and suggestions above have given you some things to think about. Never rush into a new or used car purchase. Always take some time to think it over. If it helps, get out a piece of paper and write down the pros and cons of all the vehicle you are considering. Writing down this information is often all you need to get you thinking practically and on your way to making a good selection. Once you’ve picked up your new car, I recommend buying some car care and professional detailing products to make it look as good as new, particularly if you’ve bought a second-hand car. After spending thousands of dollars on a car, you’ll want it to look gleaming whilst you’re driving down the highway! Just make sure you don’t make any rash decisions about a car before doing your research.
Good luck,
| About The Author
Kevin Schappell maintains http://www.autoeducation.com |