Buying your first car is surely one of the most exciting experiences in life. Knowing you’re about to open a door to a totally new sense of freedom is a powerful thing. The freedom to hit the road whenever you please, to go where you want without being dependent on bus or train schedules, and to not be reliant on friends or parents for lifts. It’s a whole new chapter in life that you get to share with your shiny new 4-wheeled companion.
It can also be a little bit intimidating, as first-time car buyers often don’t have the experience to know what to look for in a first car. So, if you don’t have a car savvy shopping partner to help guide you, you might find yourself feeling like you’re jumping straight into the deep end. This is why it’s always good to do a little research first, but hopefully this blog can give you some handy advice on what to look for in a first car.
Budget
Obviously this is the major determining factor in what you’re going to be able to buy for a first car. As much as we’d all love an Italian supercar, it’s not the reality for the majority of us. This doesn’t mean that all first-time buyers are restricted to 30-year-old rust buckets, though. There are plenty of financially astute young people out there who prefer to save so that they can make prudent long-term purchases.
Working out your budget will help to determine whether you purchase a car outright, or if you choose to finance one. Skoda offers competitive rates when it comes to financing, so depending on your situation, this may be an ideal option that helps you to purchase a nice new car such as the Skoda Scala.
New or used?
Deciding on a new or used car is often dependent on your price range. However, there are things to consider when tossing up between the two, even if you are working with a more flexible budget.
Buying a brand new car from a dealership comes with many benefits. Yes, it comes with a higher purchase price, but with that comes things like warranties, financing, gadgets, modern safety features and the knowledge that your brand new car is in pristine condition having just rolled off the production line.
Second hand cars privately purchased may not come with any of these perks. Once you’ve signed the papers and driven out of its old driveway, that’s it. It’s now your responsibility and it lands solely on you if there happens to be any issues with it. There are ways to mitigate the risks involved with private second hand car purchase, though.
- Take a knowledgeable friend when looking at used cars.
- Make a list of things to look out for (oil level, tyre condition, km’s, service history, ownership history etc).
- Give it a thorough test drive, preferably with your knowledgeable friend.
- Have the car inspected by a professional.
On the other hand, there are benefits to buying second hand. Cars are notorious for their value depreciation, so for the same cost, it’s possible to get a lot more car for your buck if you buy second hand.
A third option is to buy second hand from a dealership. This way you get the best of both worlds – a slightly older car that is therefore cheaper, but one that has also gone through the checks and servicing of a dealership’s servicing department. Reputable dealerships like Perth City Skoda have very high standards to ensure every second hand car in the lot is in great condition.
Check out our Used Car Buying Guide for more info!
Type and size of car
Now that you’ve figured out roughly how much you want to spend, and if that’s enough for a new or a used car, it’s time to figure out what you actually want!
If you’re a typical first vehicle buyer, you’re probably fairly young and have plenty of hobbies and an active social life. Perhaps you’re in a band and you need boot space for your gear, or maybe you like to go on camping trips with your mates? There are so many types of car available these days that there is always something to match your lifestyle, from zippy little small cars to family sedans to off road SUVs.
The great thing about the Skoda Scala is that it covers most of these bases. It’s compact enough to keep running costs low (like fuel and car insurance, for example), while being big enough for road trips with your friends. That’s the beauty of a medium sized car like this—you get the best of both worlds.
Happy hunting!
Now that you’ve got all that figured out and know what to look for in a first car, let the fun begin! Get out there and test drive as many cars as you can to get a real feel for what is best for you. It’s one thing to look at a car’s features on paper, but it’s another thing to get in and take it for a spin, and unless you do this, you won’t really know what you’re buying.
To book a test drive with the Scala or any other Skoda cars, get in touch with your nearest Skoda dealership and speak to one of our friendly staff. We look forward to seeing you.
