People often remember their first car very fondly. A person’s first car often reminds them of their youth, of a carefree time, and of the freedom that a car represented. But that’s not always the case. Some people have horror stories about their first cars. Breakdowns in terrible places, money wasted on lemons, unneeded debt: some people have had awful experiences with their first vehicles. Well, if you want to make sure your memories of your first vehicle are positive, follow these tips for buying your first car from My Auto Store.
Don’t Buy New
Buying brand-new is one of the first things to avoid with your first car. Unless you’ve got some serious cash, we’d recommend buying a decent used vehicle. Considering most people buy their first car when they’re relatively young, a hefty car payment and debt can be especially problematic. An older car will be more affordable, but you’ll still have to make sure you’re buying something worth your money, which leads us to our next suggestion.
Be Careful Buying Used
Be very careful about buying used vehicles. Used vehicles can be incredibly affordable when compared to newer cars, but if you wind up sinking tons of money into repairs, it may not be worth it. When you buy a used car do your research. Find out what mechanics and car enthusiasts have to say about the vehicle you’re looking at. A quick internet search of the make and model of your car, along with the year it was made will give you a good idea about reliability and longevity. Also, ask the seller for the accident history and service history if possible. Ask someone who knows cars to take a look under the hood and maybe go for a test drive. You should also ask to take the car for a drive and take good notice of the vehicle’s current mileage.
Insurance Costs
When calculating the costs of your new car, don’t forget to include the price of car insurance. There are a lot of factors that determine the price of insurance, including your driving record, the type of car you drive, and where you live. The average rate for car insurance in the US is about $140 per month, which is a lot of cash when you already have to pay for your car and other expenses.
Extra costs like insurance and maintenance can add up quickly, so make sure you factor them into your budget. Also, be sure to research how to avoid auto insurance scams and take your time shopping for the best rate. It takes some time, but it will save you money in the long run.
Make Sure You Like It
If you do your research and buy the right car, you might be able to hold on to it for a long time. That means it’s important you buy a car that you like. Of course, the reason you buy a car is to get from point A to point B, but if you settle for a vehicle you’re not comfortable in, you might soon regret it.
Keep it Going with Affordable Parts
No matter what kind of car you choose for your first ride, keeping it serviced and running is necessary. When you find your car in need of repairs or replacement parts, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have to spend an arm and a leg. Trust My Auto Store to get you reliable, affordable used parts that can help keep your first car running for a long time.
Contact our team today for warrantied, used car parts!
