Choosing Your First Car |ADDICTED

Perhaps you’ve just passed your driving test, or you have just been waiting a little while and saving up to get the perfect car. Most often, the first car that you buy will help you learn and improve your driving even more.

Photo by Alex Belogub

You’re going to do things like asking for advice about the best car to get, and once you get one, you’re going to check out some manufacturing sites and YouTube videos to learn about all the different features.

Where do you start? And how do you decide which car is right for you? There are so many cars on the market, with hundreds launched every few months.

Who will be in your car?

One of the most important things is to know who will be in your car. There might be a big difference between what you need and what you want. If it is your first car, you ideally don’t want to be paying a premium, as many people will often end up in a small accident within the first few years of driving. Of course, if that happens, you’re going to need a car accident lawyer.

Small runners usually have two doors, and in most cases, are the cheapest first car to purchase. If you need more space, a four-door car can have backseat passengers; if you are expecting to drive a lot of passengers around or your children, then opt for a vehicle with four doors.

Engine size

Small cars tend to be lighter, and do not have a considerable engine size. Small engine size is usually more efficient too and tends to be cheaper to run. Another thing to remember is that road tax will go up for bigger engine sizes.

Where possible, opt for a smaller car; if you don’t need to fit too many people in it, it will be ideal for you.

Extras to consider

It would be best if you thought about how much you value small things on the car. Older vehicles are don’t have something like air-conditioning, but they can be better for first care purchases. Many people say that having air-conditioning, electric windows, and reclining seats is not just a premium, but a must.

Simply because there is so much traffic on the roads, you are more likely to end up in a traffic jam at one time or another.

Think about if you need to charge your phone or use your phone as a satnav. In this case, you’re going to make sure you have USB connections within the car, or can at least get them fitted. Think about those extras and what you think will be useful and necessary for you.

This can help decide how old of a car you can go for.

Buying your car for the first time is exciting, and you have plenty of options. You might not want to go to a dealership and instead buy the car privately. In this case, you must try to make sure that you take the car for a test drive with somebody else and check the car over thoroughly.

Here is a guide to checking over a private car purchase.