First Car To Choose as a Novice Driver?

Buying your first car, like a long-awaited win using the best sports betting odds in Naija, can be exciting, but there’s a lot to consider. Engine displacement, reliability, and other general quality indicators can be confusing, to say the least. Planning ahead will simplify the process and allow you to ultimately choose the best car for you. Before you head to a car dealership or private seller, check out these tips to help you take the steps necessary to buy your first car.

Be Honest About Your Needs

One of the first steps is to determine what kind of car will meet your transportation needs. So think about it, it’s important to you that:

• Was the car cheap and reliable?
• Will it be used as a work vehicle?
• Will it be suitable for your hobbies, such as camping, fishing or biking?

Make a list of your “must-haves” and “nice to have” items, but be realistic and don’t give in to emotion.

Set a Budget, Choose a Car – In That Order

The first question you need to answer is, “What is my budget for my first car?” This will narrow it down from hundreds of cars to a few potential models. Keep in mind that budgeting doesn’t just include paying for the car. There are other related expenses as well. Here’s an easy way to budget for all expenses:

• Calculate a basic living wage: this includes rent or credit, food, health insurance, and other expenses like going to the movies.
• Calculate what’s left over: What’s left over after covering the basic cost of living is how much you can spend on your car payment, insurance, fuel, and maintenance expenses.

Should You Buy a New or Used Car?

Given your budget, needs and lifestyle, weigh the pros and cons of a new or used car. There is no right or wrong answer – it will all depend on your circumstances.

The Benefits of Buying a Used Car:

• Someone else has probably already suffered from depreciation – cars start to lose value as soon as they leave the dealership. And after 3 years on the road, a used car is worth about 60% less than its original price.
• You don’t have to wait for the car to be assembled and delivered.
• You can find a used car for any budget.

Benefits of Buying a New Car:

• Warranties – you’ll have a manufacturer’s warranty that will cover the cost of any malfunctions that may occur in the first few years.
• Peace of mind – you won’t have any doubts about how the previous owners have driven and maintained the car.
• Specification – you can choose any paint colour, trim, wheels, interior, and additional options available.

Test Drives

A test drive is the best way to make sure the car meets your expectations. It’s an opportunity to determine if the interior is spacious and comfortable enough, as well as to evaluate the car’s ride, steering, acceleration, braking, etc. During the test drive, keep in mind that:

• If you are testing a used car, the engine should not make any strange noises.
• If the car squeaks, jerks a little or bounces, it may have a chassis problem.
• It goes without saying that the car’s air conditioning system should be in working order.