Things to consider when buying the first car

Cars are becoming a necessity and a means of transportation rather than a luxury item to show off for most Indian people. It is the most convenient and comfortable option to travel on a daily basis for many. As the demand increases, automarket expands; the price tag on cars is getting more and more attractive; more and more features are integrated, and so many new cars are introduced all year round that you may have a headache browsing through the endless list of cars available on the market. To save you from any potential headache when looking for your first car, we have compiled some of the things that you should consider before making the decision to buy a car below.

1. Budget

Firstly, we need to discuss money, the very important thing, if not most important, in purchasing a car. Before thinking of buying a four-wheeled vehicle, you should think about and decide on your budget. There is a bit of a contradiction to how you should manage your car budget: You need to stick firmly to the budget but you want to be flexible with your decision at the same time too. To solve this difficulty, it is suggested that you have a budget range with a maximum cap instead of one set amount of budget.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you need to make sure your budget includes every expense related to the purchase of a new car, not just the ex-showroom price tag. Careful pre-planning will prevent you from getting into the awkward situations of going to the showroom thinking you have enough money and realising that you do not.

Budget is the number one important factor in purchasing a car

If you intend to buy a car with a loan, it is worth taking the time to think about how you are able to make the monthly payment in the long run. Car salespeople are extremely likely to encourage you to opt for a car that exceeds your initial budget and justify it with a seemingly attractive car loan offer. In that case, you need to garner all of your strength of will and consciousness to consider if the salesperson’s suggestion is suitable for your wallet.

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2. Your needs

Automakers come up with hundreds of new features to incorporate in cars every year. The features may appear trendy, appealing, and very necessary, but think twice about it. Do you really need the fancy additions like Apple CarPlay, multi-touch screen, or extraordinary sound system? To answer this question, think back to WHY you want to purchase a car and WHAT you are going to use it for. Do you purchase a car to drive to work, to take the kids to school, or to go on long business trips? Each requirement needs a different type of car. For example, a coupe is not ideal if you have kids, or going on long business trips would demand a car that has a great driving range.

You may not need all the fancy features in a car

Then think about other needs you have for a car: engine power or fuel economy, size or design, feature or simplicity, etc. It is highly recommended that you prioritise your requirements for a car because you are likely not to have one requirement. Based on your budget, the car that is the most suitable for you may not meet your every single need, but one that checks as many boxes as possible is the one to go for.

After deciding on a make and model, there is one more thing you need to think about: that is to buy a brand new car or a used one. A used car may not be as bad as you may envision it to be but it sure can save you a lot of money. Doing your own research on used car beforehand and going to a trustworthy car dealer can help you browse through the jungle of cars with much more ease.

Read more:

>>> 3 reasons why you should buy a used car

>>> How to buy a used car in India​

If you want to save some money, used cars are not a bad choice

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