Six Things to Think About When Buying Your First Car

How not to get stuck with a lemon.

So, you’re about to get your P plates and taste that sweet freedom of the open road. Only problem is, you’re still using mum’s car.

No biggie, you’ve been saving up for you own wheels; you’re just a little unsure about what you should be looking for.

Between all the different car makes and models it can get pretty confusing. All you want is something that is cheap to run and works every time.

What we want to do is make sure that the first car you buy isn’t a lemon. That’s why we’re here to help with six things you should think about when buying your first car.

1. How much do you want to spend?

Your budget is always going to be the biggest limiting factor when buying your first car. In some cases, parents can help out, but don’t expect that just in case they can’t afford it.

Once you know how much you want to spend, you can begin to look for cars within your price range.

Also, don’t forget to set aside a small amount for licence, registration and transfer fees. In WA, a licence will cost $44.05 per year, while rego and transfer fees are dependent on the make of car and how much you paid.  

The RAC show a good breakdown of how much registration will cost, and your state’s Department of Transport will have a similar transfer fee calculator to this one.

2. Automatic or manual?

If you got your manual licence, you have the option of choosing between buying a manual and automatic car.

Let’s face it: autos are defs easier to drive, but manual cars on average are cheaper to buy if you’re looking to save money.

3. What is the safety rating?

Always think about safety when considering a car. A quick search on ANCAP Safety will let you know how safe the car you’re looking at is.

Most modern cars will be four stars and above. It’s the older cars that will have a lower star rating. It definitely doesn’t need to be a deciding factor when buying, but always worth thinking about since young drivers are 30 times more likely to crash (depressing, we know).

Might be best to have a couple of years of driving experience before you buy your dream car.

4. Where will you store it?

It’s good to think about where your car is going to sit when you aren’t driving. Will it be in the garage, sitting on the driveway or parked out in the street?

Rain, hail, and even hot weather are going to affect the long-term condition of your car. So, if it’s going to be sitting out in the elements keep that in mind when you’re buying.

On top of that, insurance companies will also factor in where you store it and charge you more if you park it on the road.

Sneaky, we know.

5. Think about the future costs.

Future costs for your vehicle is a big thing to think about when buying your first car. From paying for parts to filling up at the servo, it all adds up.

Research how fuel efficient the car you’re looking at is. If it is going to drain your bank account every time you fill up, then it’s defs not worth buying.

Where the car is made also plays a role in future costs. Cars made in Europe will generally be more expensive to service ‘cos how far away Australia is impacts part prices and shipping costs.

Cars made in Asia, however, are cheaper to service and repair because parts are readily available and cheaper to get into Australia.

6. How many kilometres has the car done?

Higher kms on a car might mean you get it for a cheaper price, but it also means the car has had increased wear and tear under the hood.

Ask the seller if they have been in any accidents, how long they’ve had the car for, if it’s reliable and why are they selling.

You can also ask a mobile mechanic to come check the car out to see if there is anything mechanically wrong with it before buying. You might be out of pocket a few hundred bucks, but it’s better than buying a car that is always breaking down.

There are also websites like Revs Check Report that for less than $10 will give you a history of the car including if it has ever been in an accident or stolen.

Keep these six things in mind when you’re looking for your first car and you’re sure to find a winner that is perfect for you.

Header Image: Dan Gold via Unsplashed