Both of our cars are second hand, as we wanted to own our cars outright. I would have loved to have bought a new car, but the burden of a monthly car loan was nothing something that I wanted to bring upon myself and, the car I bought hasn't given me any trouble at all and has been perfect for what I've needed it for.
Did you know that if you have an old or damaged car sitting on your driveway or in your yard and you want rid of, that you could get cash for old or damaged cars? This could give you a bit of a financial boost to put towards another car purchase, while getting rid of something you don't want - win, win, right?
Here are a few things you should always keep in mind when purchasing a new car:
1. Safety is a priority
No parent is willingly going to but their children in an unsafe car, hence why I'm more inclined to want a new car. However, if you're going for a second hand car make sure you do thorough checks before purchasing. Bring a mechanic or a family member who you know is knowledgeable about cars, with you to the viewing and let them check the specifics of the car and determine in just how good a condition it is.
2. Determine your budget
Although I know I would love a brand new car, I know that it would be quite costly and with two kids to pay for I have to judge whether or not I can take on an extra bill every month. If you think you can afford it then car finance can be a great route to go down when it comes to being able to purchase your new car and pay back it back on a weekly or monthly basis, but remember to look carefully at the interest rate (APR) to make sure you're getting a good deal. This is an option I'm currently looking into, I just need to work out my monthly budget. Some people may think that this isn't an option for them due to bad credit history, however, sites such as Moneybarn offer bad credit car finance, not just looking at your credit score but taking other factors into account too to help you get the funds you need to get a new vehicle.
3. Take your family size into account (and if it'll be growing some more!)
As I said I need a five door car as I have two children. There's no point in sticking with a small car just because you've had it for a long time. I need more space in the car and I really do need those extra doors for getting everyone in and out easily. It's important to take into account how much space you'll need for car seats and booster seats as your child will be using them for a considerable time. Also, it's important to think about whether or not your family will be growing some more, going for a bigger car can help you in the future by not having to upgrade or change your car again too soon.
4. The Economical Aspects
It's important to take into account, when changing your car - the cost of insurance on the new car - whether it will be going up or down, how much tax you'll have to pay on the car each year and petrol/diesel costs (if you're going up an engine size). My current car is only a one litre and is quite cheap to run and tax, hence why I've been slow to change it. I'll be considering the economical aspects before I purchase a new car as these will also have to be factored into my monthly budget.
5. The age of the car
I've recently discovered that some insurance companies are refusing to accept new policies on cars that are over ten years old. This means that you could be shelling out money on a car that's perfect for you, only to then not be able to insure it. If you can afford to get a newer car then definitely go for it.
Remembering these four tips will help you to choose the right car for your family and your budget.
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