Getting a new car can be both nerve wracking and exciting.
It’s like getting a big, shiny, new toy but, since it’s a big investment, it can also cause a lot of anxiety as you worry about getting your money’s worth.
Everyone has a dream car they want to be able to buy, but usually you will have to settle for something more realistic. This doesn’t mean that you’re going to settle for a piece of junk. Rather, it just means that once you consider the situation from all angles (what you can afford, what you actually need, and maybe a couple of features for fun) you often end up with a more usable product that will give you what you need for a reasonable price.
So, before you go talk to your Cars and Co mazda dealer, consider the following to get a better idea of what you want and need.
What do you need?
The first thing you should do is ask yourself what it is you actually need from your car.
Do you need a family car? Do you use it to commute to work? Do you mostly just do short, local drives or do you take a lot of long weekends away? Do you use your car to tow a boat or caravan? What you plan to do with your car will directly affect what type of car will best suit you. If you do a lot of driving you might want a car that’s more fuel efficient. If you tow things or have a family you might want an SUV.
What kind of budget do you have?
Figuring out how much car you can afford is no easy task.
You have to factor in the trade in value of your old car, how much you can afford to pay a month, what type of financing option you can afford and what funds you have currently available. That’s a lot of numbers.
Should you buy new or used?
If you have the budget for it then sure buy the brand new car.
However, if you want to buy a nicer car than you could otherwise afford brand new, then go with used. Generally, you can get some really great cars that are a year or two old and therefore thousands of dollars cheaper than the newest model. You’ve probably heard that a car’s value drops the second it’s driven off the lot and that’s true, so it makes sense to buy a nicer car used than a brand new car that will immediately lose value.
Should you buy or lease?
When deciding whether to buy or lease a car, you should think about how you will be using the car. Factors such as how much you will be driving, if you currently own a car, if it’s a personal car or a work car and your credit history can all affect your decision. Generally, leasing makes the most sense if it’s a work car or can be deducted as an expense.
Do you need any extras?
At the end of the day, buying a base model is going to save you a lot of money.
Extras aren’t so much of a need as a want. However, a lot of us really do want certain extras in our cars, particularly those who spend a lot of time in their cars might want to invest in some extra comfort.
Premium sound systems, GPS navigation, tv screens, touchscreens, a sunroof or a roof rack are just the beginning of a long,ever expanding list of extras you can add on to your car. These will definitely add hundreds or thousands to the price, but it’s up to you to decide which features you can’t, or just don’t want to, live without.
The process of replacing your car will inevitably lead you on a long road of distinguishing your needs and wants. If you plan carefully, in the end, you’ll get the perfect car for you.
