Buying your first car? This is an exciting time and everyone remembers their first car as the vehicle that gave them a newfound sense of freedom and independence. It can also be daunting and it is a major financial decision to make, so keep reading for all that you need to know before buying your first car.
New or Used?
The most common question that new motorists have is whether to buy new or used. There are benefits and drawbacks of both to weigh up, but for your first car, it generally makes more sense to buy used. This is because it is cheaper, you get more for your money and it will be cheaper to insure. Additionally, many people feel less stressed when driving a used car that is worth less than an expensive new car. It does not necessarily have to be a small car as you could opt for something like a used Peugeot 3008 for those in need of something bigger.
How Expensive Should My First Car Be?
There is no right answer to how expensive your first car should be, but you do need to make sure that you will be able to afford the monthly repayments on a finance deal while also calculating the running costs – this will include insurance, road tax, fuel and maintenance.
What Cars Cost Less to Insure?
Following on from this, you need to consider insurance as this will be higher for new and/or young motorists. The car that you drive will have a big impact on the amount that you pay, so it is important to find a car that will be affordable to insure. In addition to second-hand cars, those that do not have much power will be cheaper. Car insurance is broken down into different bands, so you will have an idea based on the banding.
Petrol, Diesel or Electric?
Petrol, diesel or electric will be a personal preference and depend on the type of journeys that you make. Typically, diesel is best for longer journeys while petrol is best for shorter, stop-start trips. An electric should certainly be considered as these allow you to make big long term savings while also reducing your environmental impact.
What is a Warranty?
You also need to consider warranty protection as this will cover the cost of breakdowns. If you buy new, you will be covered by a manufacturer warranty but once this expires you will want to take out an extended warranty for protection as the cost of repairs and parts can be expensive.
Hopefully, this guide will come in handy and help you to find the right first car based on your needs and feel confident getting started with driving.
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