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When it comes to buying a car, there are many things to consider. You’ll think about essential things like safety features and fuel economy as well as less important things like colour and added extras. But, one of the first things that you have to decide is whether you would like to buy a used car or a brand new one. At first thought, this might seem like an easy decision, but it’s not. Here are some of the things that you should consider when choosing between purchasing a new or second hand car.
What Can You Afford?
The first question you need to ask yourself is what you can afford. This won’t necessarily be the deciding factor, but having a budget in mind means that you know what cars to look at, whether they are new or pre-owned. Then, take into account what you can get for your money. A brand new car in your budget might be small and basic. It might not fit your needs at all. You might be able to get a lot more car for your money if you look at vehicles that are even just a few years old.
What Financing Options are Available to You?
If you are on a budget, car financing might be your only option. Many people assume that to get a good finance deal; you have to buy a brand new car. So, even though their budget is low, they feel they have to spend more over a more extended period to be able to afford a car at all. But this isn’t the case. Second-hand dealers like Car Hunters provide great finance options for used vehicles.
Is it Your First Car?
You’ve probably heard that your first car should be pre-loved. There’s a reason for this. As a new driver, you are more likely to be involved in an accident. Some of these will be minor. You might reverse into your own fence coming out of your driveway. Others, won’t be your fault, but the slower reactions of inexperience might mean that you can’t get out of harm’s way quick enough. You might not notice a couple of scratches on an older car. On something shiny and new, it’s all that you will see.
Are You a Good Driver?
Most drivers think that they are good at it, especially those that have been driving for a long time. But, the truth is terrible habits set in. Be honest with yourself here. Are you a good driver? Are you safe and careful? If you owned a brand new car, would you be happy to lend it to a driver like you? If not, maybe stick to second-hand.
How are Your Insurance Premiums?
Insurance is a minefield. Sometimes, our premiums are massive, for no apparent reason. Sometimes, there’s a logic that used cars would be more expensive to insure because they are more likely to break, and parts might be harder to find. But, more claims are made on newer cars, because we want them to stay perfect. It’s hard to know exactly how the age of your car would affect your premiums as there are so many variables. But, whatever car you want to buy, it’s worth doing a little research before committing to buy.
