After your home, it is highly likely that the single largest and most expensive purchase you are likely to make is your car. Whether it is your first vehicle after getting your driver’s license, your first new car after a string of second-hand motors, a luxury car to cherish and look after, or that all-important family car that has to serve your needs for years to come, buying the right car for you can genuinely make all the difference. We are bombarded with car adverts, so making that choice can be confusing.
From globally popular car ads that are some of the best NFL commercials in history to ads that promote local dealers, it’s often hard to focus on what the best options are, but it’s worth taking the time to consider a few things; why you need the car, how many years you want it to be reliable for, how much repairs may cost, and is it fuel efficient, to name but a few considerations. When you start drilling down what matters most, the right contenders, brands, sizes, fuel types, and overall quality required will start to emerge.
But why does buying the right car really matter that much? Surely, as long as you have a vehicle to get you where you need to be, one that is generally roadworthy, and something that is not going to break down every five minutes, aren’t most cars and styles worth buying, and how much does it matter what brand you decide on? The simple answer is ‘no’, not all cars are made equal and not all cars are a one size fits all solution for someone who just wants four wheels and an engine. There’s a lot more to it, of course.
Buying Smarter: Long Term Compatibility Plus Road Reliability
Two things every driver wants from their car is compatibility in terms of their needs and their vehicle, and reliability on the road. Nobody wants to think about visiting repair shops too frequently, and nobody wants a car they will outgrow on not need in a year or two. Buying smarter will ensure that you get both reliability and compatibility, but what determines these two elements?
Think about what you need the car for. Is it a daily commute or is it a run around to take your kids to school, pick them up from sports clubs, and generally use frequently. Or is it a car that you need for more long-distance driving trips, one that you would like to be faster, more fuel efficient and perhaps less family friendly? Whatever you may need, from an SUV to a smaller sports car, the choices are out there, and need to be made in an informed and considered way. Only then will that much desired compatibility of car and car driver needs be achieved.
Then we come to the reliability factor. When it comes to cars, few things matter more. From older cars to newer models, this will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it’s important to do your research. Some people will be educated in automobile reliability by having remained loyal to a particular manufacturer over the years, such as my own family who were Volkswagen devotees. Others, however, will need to look at service histories, vehicle reputations, and get information from dealerships. However you learn about automobile reliability, it is an important part to buying the best car for you.
Initial Layout To Ongoing Cost Considerations: Cars and Cash
Most people have a fixed budget in mind when it comes to buying the right car for them. Beyond this initial outlay, however, is the major consideration about running and potential, if not inevitable repair costs that are likely to be incurred. Unless it is a classic or collectible motor car, your vehicle will depreciate in value, so minimising the annual costs of running it can be critical for value. From gas to gearboxes, brake pads to back doors, replacement and repairs cost, but mitigating this can be important for any car owner looking to save cash.
It is well known that luxury vehicles demand luxury budgets, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t buy one that doesn’t cost the earth. Much like if you are buying a family car, which would need to be economical on both cost, gas and overall upkeep, buying a luxury car can vary in terms of initial purchase price and ongoing costs and repairs. Once again, the variables are multiple, and a lot depends on whether a luxury car is for occasional journeys when it’s not being looked after in your garage, or whether it is a genuine luxury product that you want to use frequently.
When all is said and done, buying the right car for your needs is an important decision that can make all the difference in terms of vehicle performance and cost. Buying a leather luxury upholstery Jaguar when you have a baby in the back and a toddler making a mess next to them does not strike me as the best buy. Perhaps when they are older. Similarly, buying an SUV when you are not likely to be driving with any passengers, again does not seem like an optimal selection. Even so, it does boil down to preference, but those who buy the right car for their specific needs tend to do better on the costs and long-term reliability, or whatever metric their motor is measured on.