A Complete Checklist For Your First Car Purchase

Purchasing your first car can be an exciting process. However, it can also become an overwhelming undertaking if you have no idea what steps to take to find the best car deal for you.

Since a car is an expensive investment you’d have, it’s important to make sure you get the whole buying process right. Luckily, as with other huge decisions in life, there are plenty of ways that can help you buy your first car without any hassle.

If you’re into your first car purchase, here’s a complete checklist you may want to consider:

1. Know Your Budget

One of the things that should be included in your first car purchase checklist is your budget. As mentioned, buying your vehicle can be an expensive investment, yet having a budget allows you to determine the amount of money you can afford to spend. For example, if you have a tight budget, you may want to consider a used car because it’s cheaper than the new models. If you have a flexible budget, then you may choose whatever car model or brand you like.

However, it’s best to note the running costs of your first vehicle purchase. These can include insurance costs, fuel consumption, servicing, taxes, and many more. By doing this, you can come up with a budget that suits your needs and financial situation.

2. Check Out The Features You Need

Now that you have a budget in place, the next step is to have a general idea of the features you need for your first vehicle. By knowing what certain features you want your car to have, it’ll be much easier to get your first vehicle from a reputable car dealership and other known sellers wherever you may be located.

It’d be prudent to not just admire a car from a far but make sure you understand different features for the different models.

For example, if you’re considering any of the Hyundai’s best selling models, that is the Elantra and Sonata, understanding their difference as far as features and performance will be very important.

Many people make the mistake of buying a car simply because the body shape looks attractive only to get disappointed after their first purchase.

However, you can avoid this by looking at different car comparison charts from experts such as Motorborne and others.

This will help you understand the difference in things such as horsepower, MPG (CITY/HWY) among other things.

Typically, the common car features you may want to check out include:

• Fuel-efficiency: If you’re looking to keep your driving costs down, you may want to consider hybrid, smaller vehicles that are more likely to be fuel-efficient than other models. This is especially true if you’re going to use your car to drive a few miles away for work.
• Number and size of seats: If you’re five or more in the family, then buying a smaller car may not be a good idea since it may be too cramped to fit many people inside. The best option may be a sports utility vehicle (SUV) wherein five or more people may comfortably fit in.
• Storage space: If you’re purchasing your car for long road trips, it may be best to consider how much storage space your potential car has. In most cases, smaller cars like hatchbacks may have a limited storage space compared to bigger vehicles. In such a case, choose a car with large storage in it so it’ll not be an issue when the family goes on road trips.
• Additional features: You may want to consider a vehicle with additional features such as parking cameras, in-car screens, Bluetooth, and many more.

3. Apply For Vehicle Financing

If your budget doesn’t allow you to purchase the vehicle in full, it can be a great idea to apply for vehicle financing. This can give you an opportunity to finance your car purchase without breaking your wallet or bank account. Luckily, there’s plenty of lending and financial institutions that offer financing services to prospective car buyers.

However, before you make an application, it’s crucial to note the following:

• Look for the best financing deal by reaching out to some potential lending and financial institutions to discuss their offers.
• Set aside a big deposit to minimize your monthly repayments.
• Build a good credit score. If you have a poor one, find time to improve your score before you apply for

4. Conduct A Visual Inspection

When you’re buying a new car, you can have peace of mind knowing the vehicle you choose is brand new and free from any issues. But if you’ve decided to purchase a used car, it can be an excellent idea to conduct a visual inspection before you proceed with the buying process. This can help you identify any red flags that can tell you not to purchase it.

To start the visual inspection, you can consider the following:

• Check the vehicle’s history, including any signs of previous accidents and their causes, and note any car damage or imperfections you notice.
• Inspect the engine and ensure it’s working properly.
• Make sure all the electronics, lights, windows, and air conditioning are in good working condition.
• Examine the exterior and interior of the car and see to it that everything is damage-free.
• Do a test drive to know whether it’s functioning properly and it’s the right vehicle for you.

Takeaway

Buying your first car is never an easy decision. It’s something you should carefully think about to ensure you don’t make any mistakes that can affect the whole purchasing process. Therefore, if you’re into your first car purchase, keep this complete checklist in mind so you’ll become more confident of your choice.