5 Questions To Ask When Looking For Your Perfect Car

Purchasing a car is a big financial decision, and it’s important to make sure that whatever car you end up with is the best pick for you. Are you feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the options? So, here are 5 questions to ask yourself when you’re in search of your future car:

1. What Are Your Needs?

Everyone has a different lifestyle, and your car needs to be able to fit that lifestyle. What are you expecting from your car? Are you looking for something flashy and high end? Eco-friendly? Big and loud? First, you need to know what you want.

If you have a family of 5, going for a coupe probably won’t be ideal for your situation. Instead, you may want to look at compact SUV’s or mini vans (and no, mini vans don’t have to be lame!).

Here are somethings to take into consideration:

• How many passengers do you need to haul?
• What is your daily commute like?
• Do you need all wheel drive?
• What cargo capacity do you need?
• Will you be using children’s car seats?
• How much space do you have for garage parking?

All of these are important to keep in mind when searching for your next vehicle.

2. What Is Your Budget?

Unless you’re purchasing your car in cash, you will need to figure out what you’re able to pay on a monthly basis toward your car loan. The general rule is that your monthly new-car payment should not exceed 15 percent of your monthly take-home pay.

Another things you’ll want to consider is fuel and maintenance costs. It’s vital to factor in all expenses going toward your new car. When it comes to purchasing a vehicle, it’s not wise to go into it blind. Make sure you’re looking at vehicles that line up with your budget. And don’t forget, buying used can help save a lot of money, too!

3. Lease or Buy?

Both leasing and buying have their individual pros and cons. It’s important to weigh each of them to know which is the best option for you.

Buying

• The car can be sold
• You can modify the car
• The car has no milage limits
• After you pay off the car, it’s yours to keep

Leasing

• You can drive an expensive car for less money
• Most repairs will be covered under warranty
• No trade in hassles after the lease

4. What Style of Car Do I Want?

Oh, the options you have! Trucks, hatchbacks, SUV, sedan, coupe… the list goes on. It really just comes down to what you need, and what you want. If you’re looking for a vehicle to lug around sports equipment, hatchback might be the best option for you. Do want a fuel efficient car with little environment interference, electric car is a good option. Maybe you love the way sporty cars look – newer Hondas and Toyotas might be a good consideration.

Whatever style you’re looking for, do your market research and find the best fit for you. It’s not all about functionality… you want to feel good in it too!

5. Do I Like the Way This Drives?

A very important step is the test drive. After you have done your research and set your budget, get to a dealership and test drive your options. You will know within minutes if it’s a good fit for you. The test drive will truly be a great indicator to know if the vehicle you’ve chosen is the best fit for you.

Finding your perfect fit doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you ask yourself these 5 questions, you’ll bring a lot of clarity and direction to your car search. Don’t forget! After finding your beloved vehicle, do your research on the best and cheapest insurance for you.

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