Decided it’s time to buy a car for the first time in your life? Congratulations! Your car affords you with a newfound sense of pride and independence. There are truly few pleasures in life greater than embarking on your first solitary drive in your new car, tunes blasting and wind whipping your hair.
But not so fast—buying a car for the first time isn’t something to rush into headlong. Consult this guide beforehand so that you’re prepared to make smart decisions.
Establish Your Budget
Before thinking about all the fancy features you want (Bluetooth! Seat warmers! V8 engine!), ground yourself and make a realistic budget. Unless you’re paying with cash in full, as few of us can do, you’re looking at several months of regular payments ahead of you. What can you afford to spend per month? How long do you want to be paying that amount for? Remember that the cost of owning a car isn’t just the cost of the vehicle: It’s also gas, insurance, and maintenance.
Figure Out What You Want
If you answer to “What kind of car do you want?” is “Oh, anything,” stop right there. “Anything” shouldn’t be your answer to, well, anything. This is your first car, and no matter how minimal your budget, you get to have some say in what you want out of it. What matters most to you? Engine power? Endurance? Fuel economy? Once you decide what you just can’t live without, what you can afford some wiggle room on, and what you don’t want or need, the decision process will be much easier.
Know Your Financing Options
This is the part that drives more first-time car buyers in Philadelphia to tears than any other in the car-buying process. First-time car buyers often have poor, minimal, or no credit, which means it’s harder to qualify for a loan in Philadelphia. However, all is not lost. Drive One Auto Sales, for example, offers plenty of financing options for buyers with poor or no credit. We’ll put together a loan package for you even if you’ve never established a credit line before (or maxed out your card in college).
Need more help with your first-time car purchase? Contact us at 855-316-7171.
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