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First time car-buyer? Here’s what you need to know
If you are looking into buying your first car, here are a few things you need to know:
1. Be patient
Try to give yourself time and thoroughly research about the car you want to buy. One can consider investigating on fuel consumption and maintenance costs then weigh the options with other cars you consider buying.
2. Save
If you have just left university and started your first job, rather save every rand you earn. That’s going to mean driving around in your first car for a while – even if it’s your folks’ old car. Or, you could buy a low-budget car now and be saddled with debt or alternatively, save up for a better vehicle and not have to struggle to pay it off.
3. There are many costs involved
In the excitement of buying a new car it’s easy to forget about some other essentials such car maintenance. Costs can include tyres, which can run into the thousands depending on the type of car. Ensure your monthly budget lets you save up for this and other incidental costs.
4. Think long-term
You might think you have it all figured out right now but where will you be in five years? This is the kind of question you should be asking yourself when choosing the car you want. A sporty hatchback might suit your needs now but you might need more space if you are thinking of starting a family.
If you do, just remember to not spend too much right now, so that when the time comes to trade-in you are not left in a position where you still owe the bank more money than the car is worth.
5. Establish your transportation needs
Is the car going to work for you as a day-in/day-out piece of transportation? Conversely, you may think you need a bigger vehicle for those days when you are moving to a new apartment or moving home then you can rent a pickup truck. Given the cost of fuel, insurance and parking costs in malls, don’t buy what you don’t need. And perhaps consider renting what you need, only when you need it.
6. Identify and prioritise your wants
The first-time purchase doesn’t need to be your be-all/end-all acquisition, but you should still pay attention to your want list, as this isn’t a process you need to repeat every 18 months. Better to stretch a bit for those things in a car that satisfy you.
7. Locate a convenient dealer
Compare dealer locations and make decision from the dealership that best suits you.
8. Take a test drive
Virtually nothing is more important in your decision process than how you feel behind the wheel. Many variables come into play — seat height, wheel adjustment, steering feel, throttle tip-in, outward visibility, control layout and that means you simply must spend a reasonable amount of time driving the car.
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