All posts tagged new auto

Need Wheels? Top Financial Considerations When Buying a Newer Vehicle

new vehicle

When planning to buy a new car, the most important preparations to make are the financial ones. Though the scent of your air freshener may be the most vital to you, you won’t be able to get your car or drive it unless your finances are in order. To prepare for your large vehicle purchase, consider the following financial factors.

Car Price

The largest monetary consideration is the price of the car. Since you are planning to buy a newer vehicle, it will cost more than if you bought an older or used model. Think about the kind of car you want and look around online on car dealers’ websites, like that of Young Subaru, to see how much you can expect to pay. This is a vital step regardless of whether you are taking out a loan and need to calculate your down payment or paying with cash up front.

Credit Score

If you do intend to take out a car loan, you will need to check your credit score. This number will help you determine whether or not you qualify for a loan and what your interest rate will be. If the number is below 650, you should work to increase it before making a large purchase. Your credit score also contributes to your car insurance rates. So, even if you are not getting a loan, you should still try to boost your score.

Registration

Once you purchase the car, the expenses do not end. You will need to head over to your local RMV to register your vehicle. When you do so, you will need to pay a fee. Sometimes, the car dealership can handle this step for you, so be sure to ask them about it.

Insurance

You will also need to obtain car insurance for your new vehicle. Typically, insurance rates are higher with newer cars because of their status. Do some comparison shopping to see where you can get comprehensive coverage at a fair rate. Be sure to ask the insurance representative about any discounts they offer. If you take this extra step, you can lower your rates even further.

Taxes, Gas, and Maintenance

These are ongoing costs that you will be responsible for throughout the whole time that you have the car. Ongoing costs include taxes, gas, inspections, and regular maintenance. Prices can vary depending on where you live and how much you drive.

Buying a new car is an expensive undertaking. However, with a little financial planning, you will be on the road and enjoy your brand new vehicle in no time.

New or Used: What’s Your Best Option for a First Car?

When it comes time to buy a first car, many people are unsure about which type to choose, new or used. Both have their own specific benefits and drawbacks. Below you will find some helpful ideas to make the decision easier.

Used Cars Get a Bad Rep

When someone says they are going to get a used car, what image comes to mind? Years ago the image of a used car was one of a junker. A used car was something that would need constant repair. Fortunately that is no longer necessarily the case. Nowadays people lease cars for two or three years and then get a new car. That three-year-old car is technically a used car, but there is nothing wrong with it. In the old days people kept their car for 20 years and then sold it. Those were used cars that needed lots of work. Many people buy used cars or lease them. These cars are much cheaper than brand new cars, and if you choose to get a used car that has just come off of lease then it is only going to be a few years old.

Benefits of New Cars

A new car is always exciting. They have that amazing new car smell, and they will have almost none of the mechanical problems that you find in older cars. They also look really nice. There is nothing better than a nice shiny paint job. The downside of a new car is that it will cost you a lot more. You can expect to pay a lot more for a car that is just out of the factory.

Which One is the Best Choice For a First Car?

The best option for a first car would be a used car that is only three or four years old. You can visit a brand name dealership and see their inventory. You could lease a three-year-old pre-owned name brand car at a dealership for less than two hundred a month. These cars have low mileage and are much cheaper than buying a brand new car. One of the best ways to get a good used car is to visit a dealership. This is a better method than contacting a private seller. The dealership will have an inventory of quality used cars. You will not have to wade through old junk cars that are not safe.

For your first car, it’s always a good idea to go a bit newer if possible to save on those inevitable repairs. Used cars will get you a good investment for a lot less and will help to set you up with a reasonable monthly payment.

“Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works in her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. After graduating form the University of New Mexico she has enjoyed writing and researching articles when she isn’t outside running or biking. Premier Mazda was a great resource for writing this article. Contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.”

What To Get? A Preowned Car vs. A New Car

Finding your next vehicle is often a difficult, time-consuming process. Not only is purchasing a car, truck, minivan, or SUV a major investment, it is a decision that you’ll experience the consequences of each day. Ultimately, making a decision you’re happy with will require plenty of research and consideration of your family’s transportation needs. One of the first – and also most challenging – is whether to get a new car or a pre-owned car. Which type of vehicle is better for you depends on a variety of factors.

Preowned Car

Purchase Price

The primary advantage of a preowned car tends to be the price; cars with more miles on them tend to be less expensive. Thus, even a relatively recently released model may have a dramatically lower price than you’d expect to pay for it new. So if you’re looking for a fully-loaded car but don’t want to make a massive investment, a preowned vehicle can allow you to have the best of both worlds.

Reliability

Preowned cars also tend to be reliable, despite having been used. Depending upon how old the preowned vehicle is, it may have already had damaged parts replaced. In addition, you are less likely to have a preowned car recalled due to defective parts – such recalls tend to occur soon after models are released. It is always important to have a preowned vehicle inspected before buying it, and going to a dealer with an on-site service center, such as Mazda 3 in Overland Park, provides both peace of mind and convenience.

Availability

With a new car, a dealership may have a limited supply and you may have to custom-order models with certain features or your favorite color. With preowned cars, what you see is what you get and it is available on the spot.

New Car

Quality

There is nothing quite like a new car, from the new car smell to the guarantee that everything is in prime working condition. Investing in a new car and being the vehicle’s first owner means you can likely expect to avoid having maintenance costs for a few years.

Warranties

Additionally, you’ll have the benefit of a manufacturer’s warranty in the event that anything does go wrong. And, if you really have difficult problems that offer no easy resolutions, your new vehicle will probably be protected by your state’s Lemon Laws, which would not provide relief for a preowned vehicle owner.

Value

You can also recoup the higher initial investment price of a new car through its life. Whereas you might have to buy another preowned car just a few years after your previous purchase, a new car will last longer. If you do not elect to keep your new car that long, you can count on a higher resale price than you would get with an older, preowned vehicle.

Although price is a significant factor in the decision of whether to buy a new or preowned vehicle, it should not be your only consideration. Ultimately, a vehicle’s value depends on how well it aligns with your needs.