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When it's decision time to buy your first car, the actual journey of that thought-process can be somewhat hypnotic and phantasmal, and to find that vehicle matching your personality (make and model) is not as surreal as turning the keys in the ignition.

There are tons of vehicles to choose from; beginning with hybrids, to crossovers, to suburbans or SUVs, and 4 Wheel Drives, and what have you.

As a first time buyer, you'd probably gravitate towards hatchbacks and sedan models, as they tend to become popular, because of their affordability, safety and driving conveniences - elements which make up the pull factor in a vehicle.

If the need for a vehicle has found its place in your journey through life, Marketmeri has summarized some tips and considerations for you, to help you understand what’s in store for you when you decide to get your first car into your private car park.

What to consider when buying your first car?

And as always, when you plan on attempting a thought-out objective, you'll rarely bypass certain considerations about what you're about to do.

Likewise, when you decide you need a vehicle, you'll have to swim through these considerations first:

• New or used
• Purchase price
• Insurance costs
• Safety rating
• Manufacturer
• Fuel consumption
• Manual or automatic

 1. Will it be a new or a used car?

In any case, once you have your ideal vehicle in front of you, it's advisable that you do a comprehensive background check, so that you're not surprised by any recurrent issues after you've closed the transaction - regardless of whether it’s a new or used car.

For instance, if it's a used car that you're considering, these background checks will acknowledge things like the state of the mileage, how many owners before you, if it has been damaged before and if there's money owed on it,; these results can help you make better judgments, moving forward.

On the other hand, if it's a new car that's on your mind, then these checks won't be necessary.

2. How do you settle for the best or - at least - a fair price?

Once you've made up your mind on the specific type of vehicle you want to own, plus the accompanying features, begin a price research using free online tools.

This will help you set a reasonable budget and meet your needs without vindication. It will also help you figure out what other car buyers in your area are paying for the same make and model.

Pricing research is the tip of the spear when you're looking to get the best deal, and it puts you in the position to understand where the market is at the moment, and gives you enough firepower in negotiations. 

Moreover, when you're in a negotiation, results from your pricing research will play a major role in justifying what you’re after, which is the best price possible.

For instance, instead of saying, “I want to buy this vehicle,” try something like, “I’ve looked at five or six different cars that are similar to yours in the market. The price range is within K15,500 and K30,000. I’m comfortable with K15,500 or the nearest.”

3. Do I need car insurance?

At any rate, considering a car insurance purchase along with your first vehicle attracts legal implications.

It's also an excellent way to cushion yourself and your family from potentially injurious costs from a major accident.

Vehicle accidents tend to be very costly, even though the culprit may not be you.

Being responsible for your vehicle repairs or vehicle replacement, and attending related court proceedings are both time consuming and immoderate.

This is why it's highly recommended that you purchase car insurance once your first vehicle is parked in your driveway.

The right level of car insurance coverage should be obtained from an insurance company offering industry-leading products, with a reputation for attractive claims services.

High quality claims services can help save time and liberate frustration following an accident, by streamlining processes from getting a tow and a rental vehicle, in order to pay medical bills and repairs.

The cost of premiums will vary depending on factors including your car, years of driving experience, home address and gender.

Keep in mind that while you might have dreams of finding a second-hand sports car at a great price, they often come with more powerful engines and particularly for a first-time driver, insurance costs may be very high.

4. What safety features should I be considering in my first car?

Few vehicle safety features are fast becoming a common place, even in basic cars. For instance, some time ago, reverse cameras were foreign to many basic vehicles, but this has changed for the better. Even used cars still feature this thoughtful inclusion.

State-of-the-art safety features like ABS, Lane keeping Assist, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) are available selectively, or for an extra cost.

5. What car manufacturer should I consider?

The reputation and service network of a car manufacturer, blended with vehicle's make and model popularity as well as the upgrades or new releases in its pipeline can be a major influence on a vehicle's resale value.

These may be of key interest to you, if you plan on selling the car privately or trade it in, later on.

For the most part, choosing a popular vehicle is easily acknowledged when locating a replacement part, or a mechanic to service it effectively.

6. Why should I factor in fuel efficiency?

Likewise, 80 percent of a vehicle’s effectiveness comes from 20 percent of its efficiency in consuming fuel.

Most often than not, a vehicle’s fuel consumption capability relies heavily on the strength and size of its engine - the more powerful the engine, the bigger the capacity to consume fuel.

However, this can be a trade off, since some smaller engines can wear more easily, especially if they're pushed beyond their limits to perform.

So it's wise to take into consideration the fuel efficiency of your first car, if you deserve to know how much your driving requirements may cost you down the line.

With a larger engine able to burn more fuel with each revolution it turns in a minute (rpm), it’ll usually consume more fuel than a smaller engine would during the same journey.

This rule of thumb is less accurate today than in the past. Advances in engine technology mean that some of today’s smaller engines are able to produce more power than certain bigger, more old-fashioned engines. A key to this is turbocharging, which forces more air and fuel into each cylinder.

This is a very important consideration when it comes to choosing your first car, so it’s worth thinking about how much power you actually need. 

7. Should the vehicle be automatic or manual?

Buying your first car can appear as a huge undertaking, especially if you have no idea which transmission type will speak your driving-language fluently.

The important thing to learn from this is that you need to be well-versed in the individual aspects of the vehicles, beforehand.

That way, the picture becomes crystal clear as to which car or transmission type suits your needs effortlessly.

And while educating yourself, you’ll come across the following points, which should help you easily define the car that’s right for you: 

1. The basics
2. Engine power
3. Fuel economy
4. Maintenance or repair costs

Both transmission types have their merits, to begin with, and that is what makes them individually different.

With these differences come reasoning to own one or the other. This in mind, you have these to fall back on: 

(a) Choose Auto

If you feel you it’d be a drag to learn how to, because you’re handicap, or that you’ll be sharing your first car with your spouse who has no idea on how to operate a manual transmission, then settle for an automatic transmission, which seamlessly combines a good shift in patterns with an efficient fuel economy.

(b) Choose manual transmission

If you have the habit of multitasking for extended periods of time, while keeping the vehicle on track, shifting gears, and avoiding hazards, then manual transmissions are your ideal choice.

Moreover, manual transmissions all have their own unique shifting characteristics.

Many are geared for fuel economy, others are geared for sport driving, and then there are many that offer the best of both worlds.

Disclaimer

This article is meant for informational purposes only. Marketmeri digs into the details of a specific topic and teaches its readers all about how the real estate industry operates. Therefore, not all articles are intended to be construed as financial, or investment advice.