Many people rush the decision to buy a new car only to realise when it’s too late that they made a mistake. Instead of taking chances with your finances, you ought to tread carefully from the get-go. There are many arguments against cars being an investment.
They are expensive. They are quick to depreciate in value. They cost more money to stay on the road. They are prone to regular breakdowns. However, even in the face of such occurrences, your life would be impossible without one.
But, is owning a car predisposed to be a painful experience? While many people report terrible experience, that shouldn’t be the case. Not if you take the time to do it right. Keeping these pointers when walking into a car dealership in Newmarket makes your time behind the wheel an absolute delight.
Define your car needs
It is no secret that car makers are out to raid your wallet. They are continually producing a range of mouth-watering cars, each model better than the last. You cannot hold that against them, but then again, you do not have to fall their tricks. That calls for a considerable amount of discipline and self-awareness.
Take the time to reconcile your car needs. Do you need an SUV, a workhorse, or would a small compact car get the job done? Now is not the time to get caught up on impressions and the need to keep up appearances. Forget about what your friends and family think unless they will help with the tab, of course.
See, there is no need to buy a powerful SUV or truck when a minivan or a town car would suffice. Especially when you do not have the cash to pay for it upfront. A smaller car will not only cost you less but will save you more money in terms of gas and maintenance costs.
Crunch the numbers
One of the biggest arguments against buying a car is that they are a substantial financial commitment. Knowing that many people have run into severe financial headwinds after purchasing a vehicle, would you want to follow in their footsteps? That would not be fair, not with the amount of information available to help you get the best deal.
You need to define how much you’re willing to spend on the car before thinking about financing options. See, there are many creative ways to manipulate car payments, but they should not stretch over four years. Any longer than this is an indication that you cannot afford the car.
Online calculators can help you gain deep insights into these numbers, and you would be wise to use them. Experiment with different interest rates, repayment terms, and loan amounts. Compare the interest rates payable with each plan so you can make an informed decision.
Do not let the need to buy a new car override your need to be financially secure. One thing you can be sure of is that there will always be beautiful cars on sale at any given time. As such, you need to let your finances and your transportation needs take the lead until such a time when money is not an issue.
Only by following such an approach can you enjoy your new car without running into financial trouble. There is a wealth of information and tools available to help you make the best decision.
