Are you buying your very first car? Is it finally time to replace your old faithful ride that is on its last leg? Were you recently in an accident and now you need a new car to replace your totaled one? Whatever the reason, shopping for a car is both complicated and fun. Buying a car is a long-term investment that should be done carefully to ensure that you get what you truly need. But many times, it’s easy to focus on superficial things about a car like the style and forget about the many features that would make a car right for you.
Here’s what you should look for in a car:
Make a List of What You Need First
Before you ever start looking for a car, be sure to jot down what you need out of a vehicle. Do you need it to haul large items? Do you need to carry a lot of passengers? Do you frequently drive in the snow or ice? Do you drive on gravel roads or all pavement? Is your commute long enough that fuel economy is very important for you? Does your car need to be able to fit into a small garage or small parking space? Do you need to be able to install car seats for children?
There are so many questions to ask yourself when buying a car. Just think about how you use your car on a daily basis, and be honest with yourself. Sure, we’d all like to have a car that does it all, but you’ll need to prioritize some things. If it’s extremely important that you be able to haul large items, you may have to compromise when it comes to getting a car that fits in a small garage.
Next, be sure to jot down anything you’d really like to have, such as a parking and backup assist camera, or a car that connects wirelessly to your phone. Maybe you are very interested in having an electric car, or maybe you want a car that has as few electronic elements as possible to keep repair costs low.
At the end of making this list, you’ll likely have a list of features that fit your daily lifestyle, such as “big enough for the whole family, big hatchback for vacation suitcases” and so on. Here are a few other features that many people forget to include on their lists:
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Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
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Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
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Lane Departure Warning/Lane Keep
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Blind Spot Detection
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Rear-view Camera
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New safety technologies
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Safety Exit Assist
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Facial Recognition Software
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Safety Features to Look For
Don’t forget to consider what safety features you want on your car. Of course, all cars have seat belts, but look for things like adjustable upper belts so that the seatbelt doesn’t rest across your throat, or a lap and shoulder belt for that middle seat in the back that is always missing in older cars.
Ask about the head injury protection that is built into the interior of the car. Many vehicles use energy-absorbing materials inside the interior build that you won’t be able to see yourself.
Consider whether a car has special systems like traction control, all-wheel drive, electronic stability control, and anti-lock brakes. These safety features can help to make your car much safer in many situations.
Finally, consider how heavy the car is. If safety is your concern, a heavier car is safer than a light car, because it is harder to damage in an accident.
Economical Features to Look For
When you are contemplating the purchase of a new car, there are several factors you need to consider about the economics. First, can you even afford the car? Does it fit into the budget you set? The general rule of thumb is that your car payment should not equal more than 20% of your monthly take-home pay. Be sure to be ready to negotiate the price – no car salesman ever expects a buyer to leap at what he’s asking for a car.
Consider other options for car ownership, like leasing. Leasing means that you can basically use your car like an extended rental. You have the ability trade it in for a new one every few years, your payments stay low, and at the end of the lease, you can choose to buy your car for a small outright payment.
However, you can’t resell a leased vehicle, and you also can’t change it up by putting in a custom radio. Be sure to read over the company policies carefully on leasing if you think this is the most economical choice for you.
Be sure to compare the car you are interested in to other cars in the same class. There may be a car that is a slightly older model that the car salesman didn’t want to direct you towards because it’s much cheaper. It may offer you all the same benefits and features you want, at a lower price.
Technological Features to Look For
Finally, be sure to consider what technology the car has to offer. Technology has grown by leaps and bounds in the automotive industry over the past few years. From back up assist cameras to built-in GPS systems and so much more, there are tons of features that you can look for.
In general, what tech features you want to look for will be a personal choice. However, having the ability to connect your phone to the radio is a great option for people who travel and want their navigation app to be easy to hear. Be sure you look for a port to plug in a phone if nothing else. Some cars also have special features like voice control that lets you send a text or make a phone call, while others have touch-screen instrument panels that allow you to see more about your vehicle’s current state at a glance.
Other interesting features that may help you avoid accidents include things like self-parking cars, which do all the work in parallel parking situations, or cars that have an auto-brake for emergencies. Be sure to test out any technological feature you are considering during the test drive.
Other Features to Look For
When you are doing your test drive, there are a few other features that you should check out about a car. For example, drive the car over bumps to find out if it rides smoothly or not. Sit in the back seat to find out if the passenger space is comfortable. Bring along your car seat to make sure it fits in the car. Look at the cargo space, get into the car and out of the car several times to determine if it is comfortable.
Once you know what you truly want from a car, and have inspected some of the most popular features that cars have today, you can choose the right car for you. Now that you’ve got that car chosen, and you are getting ready to negotiate, don’t be afraid to walk away. So many cars on the market today are nearly exactly the same, it will be easy to find another vehicle that has the same features, or near enough, at a price that is better for your budget.
Get Your New Car Covered
Once you’ve got that car bought, it’s time to get it covered! Auto insurance protects your expensive new purchase so that you can focus on enjoying it, not worrying about it. Find out about Freedom National’s affordable insurance plans or get a free quote in just a few moments!
