As we start approaching the end of the year, now is a good time to think about buying a car. There will be several enticing discounts and seasonal offers, and the holidays will give you ample time to learn how to drive. However, before you decide to get one, there are some things you need to know first.
What Kind of Car Do You Need?
Are you looking for a sports car? Or a large car your family cat fits in, perhaps? Once you’ve decided on the type of car you need, you need to figure out other factors that matter the most to you. Create a list of the features you want in your ideal car. These could be:
- Good mileage
- Safety
- Aesthetics
Keep your search focused on these features. Next, think about how you’re going to use your car. Some common ways people use their cars are:
- For commuting
- Camping
- Hauling a boat
- Road trips
Once you’ve decided this, look for a car manufacturer that makes cars around the theme you’ve selected. Ensure you read reviews and get the insider’s entire scoop.
Consider Your Loan Options
Once you’ve selected the type of car you want, it’s time to think about how you’re going to finance your car. Take a look at auto loan rates at a credit union or a bank and compare these to the other options available in the market.
If your loan gets approved before you visit a dealership, you can save time and negotiate the final price of the car you choose.
Automatic or Manual?
By the time you’ve decided you want a car, you’re going to have an idea of whether the car you want will be manual or automatic. You may have driven both cars, and if you haven’t made up your mind yet, that’s okay. Knowing how to drive an automatic or manual car can have both pros and cons.
A car with manual transmission is usually cheaper to service and buy, and depending on how new the car is, it can often provide better mileage than an automatic variant of the same car. So if you’re buying a new car from a dealership, you’re going to save money in the long run.
On the other hand, Automatic cars are easier to drive, and if you take good care of them, you won’t have to get them serviced too frequently. Modern automatic cars are a lot more fuel-efficient, too. On many occasions, they can compete against their manual counterparts (and sometimes beat).
So while the manual is cheaper to maintain, automatic cars offer convenience for a higher price.
How Long Can the Car Last?
Will you upgrade to another car in the following years? Or will the car you get be pride and joy for your whole family?
The longer you want the car to last, the more money you’ll have to dish out. However, you can get lucky and find a bargain on an affordable one that is in top condition. That said, most of the affordable cars you’ll find will have extensive mileage. These cars will have to be serviced more often and will require extensive maintenance.
On the other hand, the average life expectancy of new cars is around 12 to 13 years. After this, most of the components will have to be replaced. So before you get one, keep that in mind. If you’re considering getting a family car for those long road trips, then it’s worth saving and getting an expensive car in an improved condition.
However, if getting a car is necessary based on your situation, getting an affordable car may be the better choice. Just don’t get stuck in the cycle of getting cheap cars that have a small road life. In the long run, this lifestyle becomes expensive.
The Car’s Safety Rating
The best car is the safest car.
Since 1993, modern cars have come under the Australian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP). This program gives every car a safety rating (out of 5) after a formal assessment. This rating indicates the car’s safety performance for both the driver and the passengers.
We would recommend every Australian to get a car that has a 5-star rating. The ANCAP rating has been a metric since 1993, and you’re going to find various cars with different ratings.
The Car’s Ownership History
In many cases, you should consider buying a car that has only had a few owners. Not only will this give you peace of mind, but it’ll also tell you that the car has been treated well since it has been regularly serviced. For a car that has had many owners, this isn’t the case.
Before you get a car, you should see its service history to see how frequently it was taken for repairs. For instance, if you’re getting a Prado, ask the owner for all details of the Prado. This will tell you how long you’ll keep the car before it’s time to take it for its routine service. An old car with a long list of owners is probably not the best fit for teenagers looking to buy their first car.
If you see a car like this in your search, let it be someone else’s DIY project.
Taking It for a Test Drive
When you decide whether you want to buy a car, you’ll want to be sure that you’re comfortable driving it. You can ensure this by taking the car for a test drive (as long as you have a license). Any car dealership will usually let you take a car for a test drive.
However, if you’re buying a second-hand car from the car’s owner, they may not allow you to take the car for a test drive. Test drives are often a great way of knowing the car’s condition. Issues that were not apparent may become apparent with a test drive.
Wrapping Up
Crossing the “get a driver’s license” and “buy a car” goals from your bucket list can be a rewarding feeling. However, before you do this, ensure you know all you can about getting a car in Australia. While it may seem like a positive experience, on the whole, it can easily turn into a foul memory if you get scammed.