Buying your first car is exciting! You’ll be able to drive to lots of locations whenever you want. But it’s a big step and can be nerve-wracking if you don’t know much about cars. It’s important to buy the right car as it’s a big investment, so where do you start?
Sometimes it’s good to start with the basics and ask loads of questions. We’d highly recommend doing your research before you spend your money. To get you started we’ve put together a guide to buying your first car.
1. Look Around Dealerships
Look at what’s on the market and get an idea of how much cars cost. Hyundai dealership Utah has a range of cars to offer, which you can see online. Tell the dealers what you’re looking for and they’ll find a car that suits your needs. They sell new or used cars, so you can pick from a wide variety of vehicles, especially if you’re looking for used cars in hermiston. Usually, dealerships are more trustworthy than individual sellers, as they’re professionals.
2. Follow the 20/4/10 Rule
The 20/4/10 rule can be a good place to start if you don’t know where to begin with budgeting for a car. Aim to make a down payment (deposit) of at least 20% of the overall cost, as this will make the car cheaper in the long run. Then finance the car for a minimum of 4 years, and keep an eye on your vehicle expenses like fuel, insurance, repairs, as this should not exceed 10% of your total income.
3. Ask the Right Questions
You should always ask questions, and a lot of them if you’re buying a car. But what questions should you ask? It depends on whether you’re buying a new or used car, but here are a few to keep in mind. Do you have information on recent repairs? What’s the mileage? Why are you selling the car? How many previous owners has it had? Has the car been in any accidents?
4. Take it For a Spin
Try before you buy so you’ll know whether you like the feel of the car or not. Test driving the car will give you an idea of whether you can see yourself using the car every day. Does the car drive well? And are you comfortable driving it? Test some of the features whilst you drive, like lights and windscreen wipers. Also, try an emergency stop to ensure that the brakes are fine.
5. Keep the Paperwork
Make sure you sign the correct papers and keep a record of you buying the car from the seller. The bill should include the make, model, date of sale, year, the sale price, the car’s VIN, the odometer readings, and the name of both parties. The best advice we can provide is to not rush into purchasing a car but take your time and make sure everything is legit. Once you have invested in the car you’ll be able to freely travel the world.
