Buying a car is an exciting experience, and whether it’s the first car after passing your test or choosing a new car for a growing family, getting it right saves you both time and money in the long run. It can be a confusing and overwhelming decision and most of the time it depends on your budget and what you’re looking to get out of it. There is so much choice around and it can sometimes be difficult to make a decision when you’d love a sporty car but in reality, you need a practical estate. Choosing a car that’s perfect for your requirements is getting an ideal balance of budget, usage and style. So take a look at some of the most common things to look out for and ask yourself when deciding what car is right for you.
Shall I buy new or used?
It’s no surprise that budget will play a big part of whether you decide to buy a brand new or used model. Whatever the outcome of this, it’s worth noting that both sides have benefits and doing a local used car search can also come up trumps for well-maintained, affordable options. Although buying new, you’ll get to tailor the car to your preferences, you’ll also find you’ll actually lose money more quickly due to depreciation than buying a used vehicle. Used cars, however, can provide serious savings and give you the option to buy privately or via an approved used car dealer.
Shall I go green?
Petrol and in particular diesel cars have been hitting the headlines in the past few months, and for some people, this may make them consider getting something greener to reduce their carbon footprint. While it’s ideal to get alternative fuelled vehicles, at present, you may not be able to stretch to a brand new electric or hybrid vehicle as there are very few in the second-hand market compared to diesel and petrol models. This decision could be based on how many miles you do as if you just need it for town driving and smaller journeys, petrol is a better option, and for longer commutes and regular travelling, diesel may be more cost-effective.
What style should I choose?
Traditionally, certain car models have had a stereotypical use. If you needed to carry large loads or travelled with a dog, estate cars were best. For large families, MPV cars were popular and small families or individuals had hatchbacks. Many modern carmakers have since squashed these stereotypes and built cars around a lifestyle rather than pigeonholing consumers. Families no longer have to have dowdy looking cars, as the range of SUV’s merges practicality with style plus four-wheel drive cars are no longer just the preserve of country folk, as the modern crossovers make larger vehicles open to the whole market.
Picking your next car doesn’t have to be a daunting task and with the range of models available, pairing both style and practicality has never been easier.