Guide For Purchasing A Car For The First Time

No one can imagine life in this busy modern world without a car to move around. We have increasingly less time, and increasingly larger distances to travel, all coupled with traffic jams and a worry for our carbon footprint. And unless you live in a small, densely packed place where everything is reachable on foot or by bicycle, you will also need a car to get things done.

Most people will start by driving someone else’s car, maybe just practicing for their driver’s exams first, on an empty parking lot, but even after getting a license, not everyone will be able to cash out and get a vehicle of their own. Though when the time comes, everyone is eager to go to a car dealer and see what they can find that fits their budget and needs. If you are buying a car for the first time - this guide is for you.

Brands and Engine Power

When talking about cars people will usually first state what’s their brand. Is it a Chevy, a Honda, a BMW, etc. This, of course, does not do them justice and there are many variations within a certain brand that make a car good or bad. One of the main things, of course, is the engine itself, that is to say - the specifications of a car engine.

• Displacement refers to the entire volume of all cylinders in an engine and is usually expressed in either cubic centimeters, or liters. Larger engines can produce more torque but will require more fuel also.
• Power is expressed in either horsepower or kilowatts. This number boils down to how much work the engine can do, though torque is also related and measures the vehicle’s pulling power. More power means being able to go faster or move heavier weight around.

Car dealers will be able to tell you all the possible specifications of a certain engine and vehicle, its weight, sensors, engine, etc. If looking for things like https://vinsautogroup.com.sg/car/honda-shuttle-1-5g, then you have the benefit of searching for things like reviews and safety tests too. Serious brands always invest in proving the efficiency and safety of their vehicles and making the results public.

Hidden Costs

The price tag on a car is not the only thing that should concern you when it comes to money. Cashing out once is required only if you plan on having the vehicle displayed in a glass covering, not if you’re planning to drive it.

Cars need fuel to move around, and while this is in no way a “hidden” cost, many people don’t realize just how expensive it really is. The rising price of crude oil drives the price of all gas products up and up, while larger engines eat up more and more fuel. Earlier engines used to be a lot less efficient, consuming 15 liters per 100 km without a problem, while modern ones will rarely go over the 8 or 10-liter mark.

Registering a car is also a yearly expense, and depending if it’s considered “normal” or “luxury” the tax and insurance can take a big chunk of your budget.

Where to Park

Densely populated areas, especially larger cities, are suffering from a chronic lack of available parking space everywhere in the world. While cities were being built and organized in times past, no one had the slightest idea how transport would change to become what it is today. The rising number of car owners in developed and developing countries has made this problem a very serious one.

You will be faced with the same issue even if you live outside an urban area, as with a car you will inevitably travel to a major city now and then. The best solution here, especially if you are a new and inexperienced driver, is to find a car that is both relatively small and that has parking sensors that warn you when you come too close to an object.

Negotiating The Price

Car dealers are cunning fellows, and will most likely be far more experienced than you when it comes to buying and selling cars. Doing your research beforehand will give you a leverage position you might not have otherwise. Knowing your needs, budget range, and, if possible, the style of car that suits you makes the whole transaction much easier for both sides.

There are a few tricks car dealers will try and pull to finish a sale, even if you aren’t sure of it. For example, if you are offered a test drive - do not drive it home and return the next day, instead return it the same day. If you are not sure what you want exactly - do not come with a larger sum of money to the store, as you will be willing to spend more than what it’s worth.

Test drives, even if short, can be very informative, but if this is your first car you might want to consider taking a more experienced driver with you to give you guidelines on what to expect or pay attention to.

Old Cars vs New Cars

The question of whether to buy a used car or a new one is as old as transactions between people. Used cars may be a lot cheaper to buy, but they require more maintenance and searching for spare parts that may be very rare on the market today. If you think that you’re better off with a new one consider getting a car loan that makes this possible. Not having to worry about your engine stopping or other similar problems is usually worth the extra interest.

On the other hand, old cars in pristine condition have an added value to themselves and may even be priced far more than a modern equivalent. Remember, though, that the old models usually look very aesthetic but are far more dangerous to be in in a car accident.

Used or new, beat-up or shiny, there are a million things to consider when looking at a complex vehicle that is the car. If you are not sure what suits you best do some research and consult with more experienced drivers and car owners because at the end of the day having a car is more than just getting from point A to point B, it is a lifestyle to itself.