Learning to drive is a rite of passage for most people. As soon as they are able, they pay for a handful of lessons and get behind the wheel. Then, they take the test and pass. For students, learning to drive is a big deal. Now, you, as a student, have the freedom to live your life without the help of anyone else, or without having to use public transport. That is, unless, you don’t have a car. Then, you are back to square one.
The majority of young student drivers that learn to drive don’t have a car to drive when they do pass because they cannot afford one. As a result, when it does come the time to buy a car, you are not entirely sure what to do or how it works. To help you through the process, here are a few tips that will help you buy your first car.
#1: Set A Budget
Cars are expensive, so you need to know what you can afford before you make a purchase. If you buy any car that you see fit, you could end up paying for it for the rest of your life. The easiest way to set a budget is to go through your finances and see what you can afford. Simply tally up your income and expenditures and see how much you have at the end of the month. A budget is enough to see how much you can save if you want to pay upfront, or how much you can afford per month if you go down the leasing or finance route.
#2: What Car Do You Choose?
There is so much variety that making a choice is hard work. The best way to make a choice is to write down what you need and what you want from your vehicle. Obviously, what you need the most goes at the top of the list, and what you want comes further down. When you find a car that has a mixture of everything you want and need, you should mark it down as a possible contender.
#3: New Versus Old
It is human nature to want something brand new and shiny, especially when it comes to cars. The temptation to buy a brand spanker will be hard to ignore, but you should try. Brand new cars are not always the best option for students because old, second-hand cars are more beneficial. For example, the price is a lot lower, which is a massive factor. And, there is always a lot of variety, so you can buy any make and model you fancy. When you are on a budget, variety is essential. Obviously if you can afford a new car, it is the best option. But, it is important to remember that old cars have their benefits, too.
#4: Where To Shop?
Don’t just assume that the dealerships are the only places you can find suitable cars as there are alternatives. To start with, dealerships are a good place to go if you want a seller with a top reputation. Reputations stem from trustworthy and decent people who don’t try and rip you off, which is always a good thing! However, reputations drive up the price, so you might want to check out the online option. Semineuvos.com is a fantastic example who has a great choice of cars at affordable prices. In fact, a Nissan Semineuvos is one of the best deals on the web at the minute. Or, you could head to a private dealer if none of the above seems suitable. Private dealers are a good option if you want flexibility in all things car related.
#5: Buying Etiquette
As you are young and wet behind the ears, you need to learn a few tricks of the trade when it comes to negotiating. Quite simply, you should never let the dealer know that you are interested in the car. Once they know, they will go for the hard sell. That can include anything from telling you that the price is going to rise to the car is about to go out of stock. All of their tricks are meant to pressure you into making a purchase before you are ready. All you need to do is stay calm and remember you are in control. Answer any and every question with a flat bat and your best poker face.
#6: Ask For Credentials
Regardless of where you buy the car, always ask for the car’s accreditations before you sign on the dotted line. Private dealers have a reputation for not always telling the truth, which is why it is important to obtain as much evidence as possible. The car’s data should be recorded on sheets, from when it was first created to where they bought the car initially. Also, you should check the mileage and if the car has a history of breakdowns or repairs.
#7: Insurance
Make sure you know how much your insurance is going to cost beforehand. The last thing you want to do is find out that your insurance is too high and that you cannot afford to drive your new car. Insurance is a legal requirement, so there is no away around the purchase. Your best option is to go on comparison sites and find out which site has the best deal. By using a comparison website, you can slash the price of your insurance by a large amount.
#8: Haggle
Even though it is a set price, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t any flexibility. Most dealers are ready to drop the price if they think they can make a sale. As a result, they have a price they are willing to go to, and you need to find that price. If you can, you will get the car at a much cheaper rate.
#9: Go For A Test Drive
Always try before you buy. Even cars that look and sound the part are not what they seem when you get behind the wheel. The only way to find out for sure is to test the car.
