Should a Car Put a Brake On Your Finances?

If you’re thinking about buying a new car, but don’t know where to start, you could begin with your budget. This will help you in what car you can buy, including petrol costs and general maintenance.
Be realistic about your budget. If you don’t, this can lead to problems, especially if you have little or no savings, or you lose your job (for example).

Once you’ve worked out how much you can afford, make sure you can also afford to run the car properly. With a car, you can never tell when something unexpected might crop up that may require repair in a garage, or similar.

It’s worth bearing in mind that used cars can often cost more to run than new cars. A lot of people aren’t familiar with this, but a used car will be older and will have possibly gone through more repairs, mileage and accidents. If you are unsure, and think knowing about past accidents that you car has been involved in, will help you make a decision, you could contact financial or legal professionals to assist you, like an Arizona dui attorney with most wins.

It is really important, that you don’t allow your heart to rule your head. Make a decision based on your finances, not your image or needs. If you can’t afford the car which you want, take a step back and take time to consider a nearly new or used car.

Unless you already have a car in mind, start looking at cars on the road, at your local car dealers, on car websites and in magazines. This kind of research will help you to no end.
When you’ve made sure you can afford a car, it’s then time to find out what car you can buy to fit within your budget.

It is important, though, that you keep asking yourself questions during the process to ensure you’ve made the right decision.

Do I need to keep the costs which will add on to my car, to a minimum? These costs can include: tax, insurance, petrol, general maintenance.

Do I want a car which will hold its value well and decrease in value slower, allowing me to earn some money when I decide to sell it down the line?

How much space do I need for passengers, including pets? How much can I fit in my car e.g shopping.

Would I like to buy one of the most reliable cars?

Will I normally be driving short distances or will I be doing longer journeys?

Do I want my car to be environmentally-friendly and economical on fuel?

Do I want one of the safest cars on the road, for peace of mind?

Do I need to be sure the car will fit in my garage, rather than keeping it parked on the street where it could possibly be damaged/broken into?

What length of warranty am I looking for, and how will that affect the price?

Does my car need to be able to tow something like a caravan?