Knowing How You Live Will Help You End Up Happy
This post may contain affiliate links
If you are looking to trade in your old car for a new set of wheels, you might be in a dilemma over what sort of car to choose. There has never been such a vast array of options to choose from. You might be keen to explore the world of the SUV, the realm of vintage motor machines or the emerging trend of electric and hybrid vehicles. Every sort of vehicle has its pros and cons, but this ultimately depends on what you will be using your car for. If you are a petrolhead and love nothing more than putting the pedal to the metal and having a challenging drive, then you won’t be opting for the simple and humble family hatchback.
Choosing a new car can be a costly decision if you get it wrong. The moment you buy a car, even if you head to the used car market, it depreciates in value the moment you drive it away. To ensure that you don’t waste your money on a car that you end up disliking, take a look at the most important factors you need to consider when choosing your new vehicle.
Saving the Planet
If you have sustainable bones in your body and you think of yourself as an advocate of the health of the planet, you might be keen to flex your eco-friendly muscles with your car choice. You might recycle at home, use energy saving lightbulbs and have solar panels on your roof, but you also might have a diesel guzzling SUV on your driveway. To make your car choice more appropriate for your mindset, consider a hybrid or electric vehicle.
Financially, electric and hybrid cars seem costly to purchase initially. But what they cost you in cash in the first instance, they repay you in long term running costs. If you buy or lease an electric car, you may find incentives to lower the purchase cost or monthly payments; when you insure your car, the quotes will be much cheaper. You will also enjoy lower running costs in terms of fuel as you will be plugging in a battery overnight and not forking out for gas. You could also enjoy avoiding congestion zones charges or have access to carpool lanes as a solo driver because your car won’t produce any harmful emissions.
Electric cars were once seen as inferior to their gas-guzzling equivalents. They were once slower at accelerating, handled poorly and were very dull to drive. However, fast forward to today and the leading manufacturers such as Ferrari and Porsche are investing their cash into making electric motors as exciting and dynamic as their other best-selling vehicles and Tesla has made performance the hallmark of its electric-only brand. The latest hybrids and electric vehicles are super beneficial for the environment, lower local pollution and are a thrilling ride.
SUVs
If you want a vehicle that can go off-road or you are keen to drive from an elevated position with comfort all around you, an SUV could be worthy of your consideration. If you have money to burn and you aren’t as bothered about the emissions that your vehicle produces because you have other more pressing priorities in a vehicle, an SUV can be an exciting prospect. You might want an SUV to ferry the large brood you have at the weekend. You can take them to swimming lessons, head to the shops and go to friends’ parties without having to worry about the filling up if you have a large enough tank.
An SUV will allow you to travel in style and turn heads for all of the right reasons. The safety features of these sorts of vehicles are second-to-none and they can come with a whole host of exciting features. Brake sensors, advanced braking systems, air bags and mirror sensors can help give you peace of mind when traveling with your family. Should a collision occur, you’ll have less to worry about in impact injuries.
An excellent bonus of purchasing an SUV by a well-known make like Ford or Toyota means that parts are easy to come by. If you get your car serviced annually, you can enjoy cheap suspension parts that are easily accessible. You can also enjoy brake pads, spark plugs, and bearings that are easy to get hold of and cheap to purchase.
Camper Van
While a camper van may seem a very strange choice of family car, if you are a kookier family that enjoys the great outdoors and loves hot footing it out on the road at any given notice, a motorhome could be perfect. Think about purchasing a vintage VW van complete with four berths and retro fittings. These vehicles are almost like pieces of social history and can be huge fun to drive. You might not get all the mod-cons, but you can enjoy driving something from the 1960s down to the coast at the weekend.
Alternatively, you can invest some of your cash in a brand new ultra-modern motorhome. These are like full-on houses on wheels. Complete with bathroom suites, double beds and luxury ovens, you can enjoy traveling in complete luxury. Gone are the days of roughing it when going camping. You can glamp instead!
Used Or New
If you don’t have too much cash to splash and you want to buy a more conservative vehicle, the used car market is always the best avenue down which to travel. A decent used car can even be an investment. If you do purchase a second-hand vehicle, always opt for a reputable dealer and take a friend who knows their way around a vehicle. You need to study the car without interference from the salesperson. If the patter they are giving is too pushy, walk away. Never buy a used car without having a test drive first. You need to get a feel for the car and listen for those noises and bangs that sound unusual. Try and get a good deal, and always negotiate a full tank of fuel before you drive the car away.
If you are keen on purchasing a new car in 2020, follow this guide and make sure that you find the perfect vehicle for you.
