If you’re in the market for a new car, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices you have available to you. However, you can reduce any stress you feel during this time by asking yourself some of the following questions before you visit a dealership!

Is a new car really necessary?

While you may be won over by the latest car ads or have simply grown bored of your current Vehicle, the answer to this question is a crucial one. After all, if your car is relatively new and in good condition, then purchasing a new vehicle is not necessary, and you could be putting an unnecessary strain on your finances by accelerating the process unnecessarily. Remember, the average lifespan of a car is approximately 12 years (200,000 miles), and if you are far away from this milestone, your car is likely still road-safe. 

However, if you find that you’re dealing with persistent maintenance issues or your car was recently damaged in an accident, then these are all great reasons to go ahead and start shopping for a brand-new car.

What kind of car do I need? 

Notice the use of the word need, not want – as the answer to the two questions may not be the same. You may want the latest sports car despite the fact it’d be an impractical choice for your day-to-day life. Either way, having a clear idea in mind of what you need from your vehicle ahead of time can narrow down the search process quite considerably. 

For example, you may need a car with a certain number of seats to accommodate a growing family or one with plenty of storage space. If you’re looking for a spacious vehicle that can drive smoothly on all terrains, you may want to search for ram trucks dealership near me.

How much can I afford to spend on a car? 

Your budget also plays a crucial role in your Buying journey, but it’s not only the Upfront Costs you need to concern yourself with. After all, you must also pay for: 

• Car insurance 
• Preventative maintenance 
• Fuel 

In most cases, you may be able to buy a car on finance, which means that you can break down the upfront costs associated with buying a car into smaller, more manageable amounts. This could be a great choice if your savings account isn’t quite as full as you’d like to be, though you should ensure that you’ll be able to keep up the repayments. 

As a general rule of thumb, you should not spend more than 10% of your monthly income on your car – and this includes additional fees such as fuel. This should give you some indication of how much money you need to budget. 

However, you can also reduce your spending in this area by shopping second-hand. After all, most second-hand vehicles are only a few years old, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come, providing that you care for them properly.