How to Determine if a Car is Right for You -- 13 Tips

Posted by Theresa Douglas

Car Buying Negotiation


When it comes to buying a new car, there are lots of things to consider. You'll need to do research, consider your budget and needs and make sure that you're getting the best value for money. We've put together this list of tips to help you decide what kind of car is right for you:

#1. Research, Research and then Research Some More

Researching is essential. When you are trying to decide what car to buy, you will want to find out as much information as possible. There are many sources of information that can help you with your search.

You can use the internet and car magazines or websites if you feel comfortable doing so, but I recommend checking with friends and family members who have bought cars recently.

Searching for the Right Car

They may have some good advice for you or at least know someone who has purchased a new vehicle recently and could share their experience with them.

If all else fails, visit a few local dealerships in person and see which cars they have available on their lots.

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#2. Define Your Goals

Define your goals. Before you start shopping, it's important to know exactly what you want out of a car. What are the most important characteristics of your ideal ride? Is it fuel efficiency? Size? Reliability?

Consider these points as you define your own personal needs:

  • Are there specific locations or routes where you spend a lot of time driving? If so, this will help narrow down which types of cars would work best for those places. For example, if it's mostly city streets with very little highway travel required, then consider purchasing an electric vehicle (EV).

  • Or if there are long stretches of gravel roads that lead up into mountains where the roads aren't well-maintained, then go for something like an SUV or truck with four-wheel drive capabilities instead.

#3. Examine Your Budget and Needs

Before you start looking at cars, it's important to make a list of what you need from your car. Think about where you'll be driving it, how often, and how many people will be using the vehicle. You should also consider whether or not you'll have the ability to do maintenance on your own.

If not, make sure that any car that you're considering comes with an extensive warranty and maintenance plan so that if anything breaks down unexpectedly or needs regular servicing (it will), then there won't be any unpleasant surprises in terms of cost at the end of a lease/loan period.

You also want to look into buying used as well because they're usually cheaper than buying new -- especially if they're only a few years old - but make sure they don't have too many miles on them either because this can affect their longevity over time.

Car Accessories

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#4. Do Not Forget Short-Term Costs

Your initial purchase price isn't the only thing you need to consider when buying a vehicle. Once your car is parked in its permanent spot, it will require regular maintenance and upkeep -- not just for big repairs, but also for routine oil changes and other scheduled maintenance.

You'll also have to pay for fuel, insurance, license plates (if required), parking fees or tickets (if applicable), tolls or bridge fees (again if applicable), and possibly more depending on where you live.

These expenses can vary widely depending on how much driving you do each month and which features are available on your model of car.

For example: A Subaru Outback with all-wheel drive that gets around 25 miles per gallon may cost less than $2 per gallon over five years while an electric Tesla Model S might cost closer to $10 per gallon over five years because it's less fuel efficient than most passenger vehicles made by traditional automakers today.

If you want something more affordable like a Honda Civic sedan then expect more like $3-$4 per gallon over five years -- or even less if gas prices rise again in the future.

#5. Make a List of Cars You Like

Before you head to the dealership, make a list of cars you like. Have realistic expectations about which cars you can afford and what features are important to you.

This will help ensure that you don't get distracted by options that aren't practical for your situation or budget. Also list all the details of what makes each car on your list attractive to ensure that every aspect of interest is covered when comparing vehicles at the dealership.

#6. Be Open Minded

Here's the deal: you're going to buy a car. Whether that's today, tomorrow or in a year, it will happen. And when it does happen, you'll probably want to get the most bang for your buck.

But if there's one thing I've learned in my years of buying cars (and there have been plenty), it's this: don't get too attached to one thing until you've seen everything else available on the market.

The truth is that unless your goal is simply to own old beaters and tear them apart as part of some kind of restoration project -- in which case my hat goes off to you -- you'll probably end up spending money on something new eventually anyway.

So why not take advantage of all those great deals that come around every few years?

This isn't about having an open mind about finding a specific type of vehicle; rather, it means being willing and eager to try something new without being afraid of change or failure along the way.

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#7. Make Way for the Family

Just because you've decided on an SUV doesn't mean family will fit in there comfortably (and safely). Asking yourself questions like: "Does my lifestyle require me to need four-wheel drive?" or "Do we always have enough space for our son's booster car seat when he rides with his friend?

How about my daughter's?" will help narrow down what types of vehicles are available and whether or not those would be good options for us."

#8. Consider the Cost of Insurance, Gas and Repairs

One of the most important considerations when buying a new car is what will be your cost of insurance, gas and repairs. Insurance costs depend on the type of vehicle you choose to buy and how much coverage you purchase.

Gas mileage is an important factor in determining your fuel costs, so make sure that any car you consider meets or exceeds EPA estimates for fuel economy.

Repair can be expensive if not planned for ahead of time, so make sure that you are prepared for them.



#9. Figure Out How Much Trunk Space You Need

When it comes to choosing a vehicle, there are a lot of things you can't know until you actually get behind the wheel and drive. But if you're planning to buy a car and need some extra space, one thing is easy: deciding how much trunk space you need.

If your everyday life involves carrying large items like groceries or sports equipment, then more trunk space will be essential for your everyday needs.

If this is the case for you, here are some tips on how to figure out how much room in your new car's back end (or hatchback) will be needed for daily life:

Get an idea of what kind of stuff fits into your current vehicle's trunk by measuring all its dimensions and taking photos from different angles.

This way, when test driving cars with similar sizes and shapes at dealerships (or online), it'll be easier to see which ones have more space than others before committing too far down the line with any specific details about engine type or transmission choices being made yet.*

#10. Take a Test Drive… or Two or Three

You are about to buy a car, and you need to make sure that it fits your needs. You have spent months researching cars and have finally found the perfect one for your budget and lifestyle.

Now it is time for the final step before signing on the dotted line: test driving the vehicle.

The test drive is not just about making sure that this new car drives smoothly; it is also about feeling comfortable in your new ride!

#11. Remain Flexible With Your Selections

You've decided on a certain type of car that you'd like to purchase. You've done your research and now you're ready to buy! Don't fall in love with any one particular car until you are ready to buy it.

There is nothing worse than spending too much time looking at a vehicle that isn't right for you, only to walk away empty-handed because there was nothing else available that day.

It's better to be flexible and keep an open mind until the last minute rather than get attached early on in the process so that if something better comes around later on down the road, then you can make sure everything aligns before buying anything.

Don't be afraid of walking away from a deal if it just doesn't feel right for whatever reason; there will always be other opportunities out there waiting for us—and often we don’t even know about them yet.

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#12. Compare Dealer Prices

You can use a price comparison site to find the best deal on the car you want, but you'll need to know how to use it.

For example, if you're looking for a new car and searching around on kmartcocarbuyingguide.com, you might see that one dealership is offering a particular model at $25,000 while another is selling it at $23,500. Does this mean the first dealership has better prices?

Not necessarily -- it could just be that they've got more demand and thus can charge more than others. If that's the case, then you'll probably do better by going with someone who has less competition!

Instead of simply taking what seems like an attractive price at face value (which isn't always correct), look into all factors involved in getting your dream vehicle before making a decision about where to purchase it from or which model would suit your needs best.



#13. Don't Forget To Get a Quote From Your Insurance Agent

Don't forget to get a quote from your insurance agent and select a car that fits your premium budget as well as your lifestyle budget.

Car insurance is expensive, and it's something you'll be paying for every month. You want to make sure the price you pay is fair and the service you get is good.

Check out all of the available options, talk with friends about experiences they've had (good or bad), and read reviews online before making a decision on which company to go with.

There is a lot to think about when buying a new car, but we have some tips to help you make the process easier. Buying a car is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. It’s important to take your time and make sure you are making the right decision.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you to make an informed decision on what car to buy. We know that the process can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be! By carefully considering all of your options and taking your time in making a final decision, you'll find yourself driving home with a new car soon enough.


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