Being a first time car owner is such an exciting phase in anyone’s life. It is such a big accomplishment for some, and for some others, even a dream come true. You may be all too ready to take your new car for a spin, but here are a few things you might want to consider before you do just that:
Read your Owner’s Manual
Some first time car owners might find reading the owner’s manual a tedious and boring task. You must remember that it will save you a time and money to get to know your car better. Your owner’s manual contains valuable information about your new vehicle, as well as other details that you might not know.
Keep Tabs on your Regular Maintenance
One of the major things you have to consider as a first-time car owner is to keep tabs on your regular maintenance schedule. The good performance and long service your car can provide will depend largely on how you keep up with your regular maintenance. These include changing oil and fluids, timing belt, tire replacements, among others.
Leasing cars is not the cheapest way to drive an automobile, but it can be the best option in certain cases. For example, if you intend to upgrade to a better model frequently, you would be better off leasing a vehicle as opposed to purchasing and selling them. There are several tips and tricks you can use to lower the cost of your car lease. Here are some of the most important:
Negotiate the Price of the Car as if You Were Going to Buy It
Leasing cars can be an expensive option for those who don’t know how to negotiate. You should approach the price negotiation as if you were going actually to buy it. It is common knowledge that you would have less leverage when leasing a car, and this might affect your bargaining power. For this reason, you should only let the dealer know that you intend to lease after you arrive at a suitable purchase price. This way, you will be able to get the lowest price they can afford to give. Also, you should get quotations from reputable dealerships such as Intelligent Car Leasing before making your final decision.
Negotiate the Mileage Limit, Down Payment, and Purchase-option Price
Most car salesmen are likely to focus on your monthly payments, and this can distract you from the down payment. It is important to make sure you pay as little money as possible upfront since this can lead to significant losses. In case the car crashes or gets stolen, you are likely to end up with a lot of money lost, and you will also not have a car.
When leasing a car, you will also have to agree on the mileage limit. If you are always on the road, you should go for a higher limit as this will be cheaper than paying extra for exceeded miles. If you have to prepay, you can have them refund you for any additional miles that you didn’t use. Also, find out if the dealership offers a purchase-option price. This can be advantageous if you choose to buy the car at the end of the lease.
Buy GAP Insurance
Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP) insurance will cover your costs in case your car gets totaled before the end of your lease. The insurance will pay the difference between your loan and the value of the vehicle. It is important to note that GAP insurance will not cover your costs if you lose your job or get disabled.
One of the most important {and probably one of the most expensive, too} purchase you will have to make as a parent is buying a family car. Whilst it is bound create a big dent in the family savings, getting your own car have a considerable number of advantages that might just help you to make the big decision sooner rather than later.
Now that Christmas season is upon us, and along with it the 13th Month pay and bonuses, it is probably the best time to finally get that family car. Here are a few things you should consider when getting your dream family car:
Budget
It is best to have a working budget in mind when planning to buy a car. Since there are so many brands, not to mention, appealing promos and deals along with them, in the market right now that might catch your attention, it is best to set a budget and stick to it so you won’t easily be sidetracked and financially suffer after purchasing your new car.
Traveling Comfort
The first thing you would like to do after getting your new car is to road test it and travel with the family. Whether you’re planning to travel for hours on end or not, one of the very first thing to consider when getting your car is your family’s comfort while traveling. You ought to make sure that the children will have plenty of room to sit comfortably in or lie down for a nap whilst on the road if need be. In the same manner, it is also important for the driver to have the utmost comfort whilst traveling, especially for long drives.
