Last Updated on June 4, 2024 by Alaina Bullock
When you’re gearing up to buy the car of your dreams, there are many emotions that course through your mind. From the initial excitement that tends to accompany any event where you will be buying something new to the very real sense of dread that creeps in once you realize just how many factors there are that you will need to take into account, it can be daunting.
However, with the right mindset and a bet of prior research, knowing how to buy the car of your dreams needn’t be as terrifying as you first imagined. This guide will explore several things to keep in mind throughout the process to ensure that you are more likely to end up with the car of your dreams rather than a hefty dose of buyer’s remorse.
Research Different Car Options Thoroughly
If there is one thing just as sure as death and taxes, it’s the almost limitless variety of car models in the wild. This can be both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because you have so much to choose from, and a curse because…you have so much to choose from!
Even within the brands themselves, there are numerous options, with cmp auto noting that GM alone boasts several of the most well-known and respected models from the likes of Chevrolet, Cadillac, and more.
Nonetheless, it’s always nice to have more options than less, and if you have the time and patience, it makes it far more likely that you’ll end up with a vehicle you are happy to spend your money on.
Consequently, your first job will be to explore the different options at your disposal and get an understating of each of their various pros and cons. Once you have whittled them down to a more manageable selection, you can move on to the next step.
Set A Realistic Budget Limit
As unfortunate as it might be, your budget will very likely be the final arbiter of what you end up with. Although we all would love to be able to spend a small fortune on a fully kitted out vehicle, replete with all the bells and whistles that the brands love to promote, it will ultimately depend on:
- Your current bank balance: Whether you choose to finance or pay outright, you will need a certain amount of cash on hand to cover the cost. Even when financing, the more you are willing to put down upfront, the less you will have to pay month by month.
- Your ability to pay monthly financing fees: If you choose to go down the financing route, you’ll be expected to pay it down each month. The costs will include the price plus interest, which can amount to a lot if you’re not careful.
- The cost of maintenance: The cost of buying a car extends to your ability to maintain it. The more prestigious the brand you purchase, the more it will likely cost to service and keep it running.
Consider Fuel Efficiency And Reliability
Is the cost of gas going up, or is it going down? Well, if you think the latter, then you are an optimistic, if not slightly misguided, sort of person! Whatever happens, the cost of filling up your car at the pump is never likely to go back down to the levels we saw pre-pandemic, and while that may be a pretty depressing thought, you have to prepare for real life.
As such, choosing a model with excellent fuel economy will save you a considerable amount of money and keep your bank balance on the correct side of the red/black line. Ultimately, the choice is up to you, and if you want to opt for that 5.0L V8 F-150, then be my guest. But if money is tight and you simply need something to run around town and get to and from work, then something on the more frugal side of things is best.
Test Drive Your Top Choices
You wouldn’t purchase a house without taking a tour around it first, so why would you ever consider investing a considerable amount of money into a car without test driving first? The answer is you wouldn’t. The better option is to make a short list of around three or four cars and ask to take them out for a spin. The things to look out for include:
- Steering
- General feel
- Space
- Visibility
- Road noise
- Responsiveness
- Comfort
- brakes
When testing them, you should have someone with you to make notes, or if you are alone, try to make some mental notes in order to compare the different models you test.
Research Safety Features And Ratings
Whether you’re only going to drive your car alone on your daily commute to work or if you are responsible for other passengers, including your kids, you want to choose a car with safety as its main priority. This means looking for models that have at least four stars (with five being preferred) and utilizing a range of features that might concern your specific circumstances, such as having ISOFIX fittings to secure child seats most effectively. The safer your vehicle is, the less likely it is that you will become yet another grisly statistic.
Make Sure It Has Plenty Of Bells And Whistles
With technology now such an integral aspect of our everyday lives, opting for a car without a decent ICE system simply won’t do. At a minimum, it should have a display with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay that enables you to connect your phone to and utilize your mobile phone’s mapping and music systems.
Choosing a new car is unlike any other choice you’ll make in life outside of buying a home. With so many moving parts and decisions to make, it can seem awfully scary. But, by using the tips in this guide, you should have a better idea of what to expect and hopefully buy the car of your dreams that suits your lifestyle.