How to Shop for Your First Car

Buying your first vehicle is an exciting venture, but it can also be confusing and overwhelming. With so many different makes and models to choose from, you may have a difficult time narrowing in on one particular car that perfectly suits your needs and preferences. Check out this comprehensive guide to learn how to pick the right first car and make the buying process smoother.

Set a Realistic Budget

Setting a budget is the first step in narrowing down your options. The budget isn’t an important consideration if you can afford to spend a lot of money on your new vehicle and pay the full price in cash. However, if you need financing, it’s essential to calculate how much you can pay toward your auto loan each month. Add up your monthly expenses, such as rent, food, health insurance, and gym membership, and subtract the amount from your income. The remaining amount can be spent on a car loan payment, fuel, auto insurance, and maintenance.

Choose the Right Car

Image from Flickr used with permission via CC BY 2.0 by labnol

After setting your budget, you’ll know which vehicles you can afford to buy and which you can’t. The next thing to do is to determine what type of car best suits your transportation needs and your driving experience. The following are a number of things you need to take into consideration when picking your first car:

New or Used

A new vehicle is significantly more expensive than a pre-owned one and depreciates at a faster rate. However, it’s always a safe bet because it’s typically free of problems. On the other hand, buying a used car can save you money, but it exposes you to the risk of getting a problem-plagued car, which can lead to costly repairs. Then again, it can be an excellent option if you’re able to find a reliable, well-maintained vehicle that fits your needs.

If you prefer to buy used, it’s strongly recommended that you choose something that isn’t too old. A vehicle that’s only a few years old is less likely to malfunction or break down and comes with advanced safety features to reduce your chances of accidents. It’s also for this reason that buying a new car is the best thing to do if you have the budget for it.

Size

If you haven’t spent a lot of time behind the wheel, you should consider getting a compact car or SUV. Such a vehicle is suitable for inexperienced drivers because it’s easier to maneuver in tight spaces and parking lots. Also, they usually have a low center of gravity and are less likely to roll over when you oversteer, something that young drivers have a tendency to do in emergencies.

However, if you plan to give your family members or friends a ride, you should get at least a mid-size car or SUV. Make sure the vehicle you choose has enough passenger space for the whole group. A large SUV, crew cab truck, or minivan is the best option if you have a large family or routinely need to carry a lot of stuff. However, you should note that a large vehicle usually has a high center of gravity, making it more prone to rolling over.

Engine Size

Today, most vehicles are equipped with small engines, some of which may produce an impressive amount of horsepower. It’s important to choose a vehicle that’s powerful enough for all kinds of driving tasks, from daily commutes to occasional road trips. If you live in a hilly area, you’ll probably need a car with a larger engine. However, it may not be a good idea to buy a performance-oriented car if you aren’t an experienced driver. The temptation to drive fast can lead to disastrous consequences.

Fuel Efficiency

Rising fuel prices have made car ownership increasingly costly. As such, it makes sense to opt for a fuel-efficient vehicle, especially if you need to drive often. For maximum fuel savings, consider buying a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or electric vehicle.

Do Research

Once you’ve figured out your budget and transportation needs, do some online research to find out which make and model of vehicle is most suitable for you. You can read expert auto reviews and vehicle comparisons to understand the strengths and weaknesses of specific car models. Also, make sure you have at least a rough idea of the market value of the new or used car you intend to buy.

Visit Your Local Dealership

Whether you’ve decided to purchase a new or used vehicle, you can get what you’re looking for at your local dealership. For the particular brand it represents, a dealership often has a larger selection of vehicles than any other auto retailer in its locality. Therefore, you’ll be able to buy the specific model and trim level you’re interested in. Also, a dealership may offer special deals that can significantly reduce your car ownership cost. Ike Honda will buy your car from you! Put some money towards your new vehicle right away by selling us your existing vehicle!

Take a Test Drive

You won’t really know if a certain vehicle is the right one to buy until you take it for a spin. There are many things about a vehicle that can have an impact on your driving experience, such as seat height, steering feel, wheel adjustment, outward visibility, and control layout. Going for a test drive enables you to get a good feel for the vehicle. Make sure you test the car in a variety of driving situations, including stop-and-go traffic, moving over bumps, cornering, freeway merging, and highway cruising.

Get Auto Financing

If you’re satisfied with the vehicle’s performance and price, you can proceed to get the auto financing you need. You may want to consider the option of financing your new car through the dealership. A dealership has strong connections with banks and other lenders in the area, so it’s able to offer a wide array of financing options. It also has finance experts who can help you choose a suitable auto loan and even refinance an existing loan.

Honda has many cars, SUVs, and trucks that are suitable for first-time car buyers. If you’re looking for a reputable Honda dealership in Marion, Illinois, take a look at the extensive selection of new and used vehicles at Ike Honda. Contact us today to schedule a test drive.