Searching for the right car can be exhausting. It can take forever, be frustrating and possibly cost a lot of money. There are literally hundreds of different options to choose from when selecting your car and without a clue of what you want, it can be a lot to sift through. Do you want something a little sporty or do you need to think about what will fit your family of 5 comfortably as they’re growing up? Do you need something that can handle off-roading? Do you need a lot of space? Whatever the case, here’s 4 questions to ask yourself to determine the right vehicle for you.
What Do You Want?
One of the most important things when selecting a vehicle is to make sure that it is something that fits your personality. Nearly everyone has some idea of what vehicles they want or don’t want. This can include little things like selecting a specific color or it could be making sure you have the safest vehicle out there. It’s important to be honest and realize what you can and cannot live without.
What Do You Need?
Just like deciding what you want, you likely have an idea regarding your vehicle requirements. Whether its a vehicle big enough for your whole family or a vehicle that you use for work or to carry tools, etc…., make a list of the things you need in a vehicle. All of these dictate the size of the vehicle from how many passengers you need to carry from how much trunk and luggage space you need. Needing multiple car seats to fit in your car can also dictate what vehicle you pick as many cannot fit three seats easily. If you don’t keep your needs in mind, you could be left without being able to do your job or cart your family where you need to.
What Can You Afford?
This is probably the most important and can dictate not only what types of vehicles you can get but also what models you can look at. The key here is to keep your overall debt to income ratio under 45 percent. For some, this can mean that you can only afford a car payment of $150, while others can handle a payment of well over $500. It’s however important to factor in the total cost of the car from registration and insurance to fuel and maintenance costs on top of the payment. The best way to decide how much you can afford is to do your research before shopping.
Where Can You Compromise?
Some must absolutely have the assurance of a new vehicle with the top technology. Others need the most safety, or maybe you can sacrifice some power windows and locks for a lower price in turn. In nearly every case, you’ll need to figure out what you can compromise in your car search and what is your must haves. For instance, if your family really isn’t going to use the third-row seats, you can save several thousand dollars by choosing a midsize vehicle instead.
Buying a car doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s just a matter of figuring out what you need, what you want, where you can compromise, and determining your budget.
This article is brought to you by Ford Lincoln of Franklin. Ford Lincoln of Franklin offers new and pre-owned vehicles. Check out their inventory here and visit them in person at 1129 Murfreesboro Rd, Franklin, TN 37064.
