A car is a major purchase that requires careful consideration. So naturally, you want to be confident that you are purchasing the right one for your needs, and with so many options out there, it can be hard to figure out where to start. Lucky for you, here is a compiled list of all the vital information you’ll need when buying your first car
#1 Safety
The first thing you should look for in your first car is safety. You want to be as protected as possible if something were to happen, so it’s best that you purchase a safe vehicle from the get-go. Many cars today have automatic emergency braking systems and stability control which can help prevent collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians. In addition, you can easily search online for a list of top-rated vehicles by category based on crash tests performed last year.
This will provide an idea of what categories each brand excels at protecting drivers and passengers throughout various types of accidents (frontal, side-impact, rear impacts). It also provides information about how well these airbags protect people during front and side crashes, along with child seat anchors’ ease of use compared.
#2 Economy
The next thing to look for in your first car is fuel economy. You want a vehicle that is easy on the wallet and won’t cost you an arm and a leg when it comes time to refuel. A great way to figure out how much money each of these cars would cost you is by using a “Driving Costs” calculator.
This provides information about what it will take to fill up the tank (in litres) with different types of fuels such as regular or premium gasoline, diesel, and more, along with insurance, license and registration fees etc. It also calculates maintenance costs, including tire changes (every six months), oil changes (every three months), tune-ups every 90 days if needed, and tire replacement every two years.
#3 Reasonable price
The last thing you want to look for in your first car is a reasonable price. Of course, you don’t need the most expensive car out there right after getting your license (if you still need to sort that out, you can click here for some assistance!), but neither do you want it to be so cheap that it breaks down within weeks of driving off the lot! This can be difficult because every dealer advertises their cars as being discounted or having low prices, and they often do not tell the truth about this.
#4 Low maintenance costs
The best way to avoid maintenance costs is by purchasing a car with low mileage (less than 40,000 km). When a dealer advertises a vehicle as being “well-maintained”, ask them for proof by giving you the service records from previous owners. This will give you peace of mind that it has been serviced regularly and was not abused in any way throughout its life. This is especially important if you are purchasing a used vehicle that may have had more than one owner – they could be hiding anything!
These services can include oil changes, tire replacements, or brake pad replacements (every 25,000 km). It also includes replacing parts such as spark plugs every 100,000 km, timing belts at 90,0000km intervals, air conditioning refrigerant recharge etc. If there were no maintenance records available to provide this information, then we would recommend avoiding the vehicle altogether. Remember, you are looking for a great first car that can last through your university years and beyond! Unfortunately, when it comes to buying your first set of wheels, there is no shortage of options out there.
#5 Reliability
You want a car that is reliable, not only to keep you moving forward but also for your budget. A car’s reliability is measured in terms of resale value, so you want to find a vehicle that will retain its value over time. If the car has low or poor reliability ratings, it may be worth looking for another option. It’s better to keep looking for longer than buying out of urgence of frustration and regretting your choice later on.
You should also look into how long the manufacturer provides free roadside assistance (if at all) and whether service costs are associated with that type of coverage. Of course, you can’t predict when your vehicle might break down on you during an emergency situation. Still, if roadside assistance comes standard with purchase, then this issue becomes somewhat less stressful!