What Car Should I Buy? 6 Things to Consider

Whether you're shopping for your first car or your tenth, the process can be both exciting and perplexing. With so many vehicles available, it may be difficult to narrow your choices. Your top priority before ever visiting a dealership should be to get a clear idea of what you're looking for in your next car. The more specific you get beforehand, even down to make and model, the easier and smoother your shopping experience can be.

Also, within a few days of driving that new car off the lot, you'll need to ensure it's equipped with the proper car insurance. A local independent insurance agent can help you find the right policy. But first, here's a guide of six essential questions to ask when determining which car to buy.

6 Questions to Consider When Deciding What Car to Buy

Answering a few key questions can help simplify what could otherwise be an overwhelming decision about which car to buy next. Consider each of the following essential questions before you start the shopping process.

1. Which type and size of car do you need?

Cars come in all shapes and sizes. The right body style for you will depend on the size of your family and how you'll be using your vehicle, among other factors. Consider all the possible body styles to help make your choice.

• Four-door sedan: Sedans make practical family cars. Make sure that the back seat provides plenty of legroom. 
• Minivan: Minivans are spacious and provide ample, comfortable seating for seven. They make it easy for parents of small children to move to the backseat to handle things like spills or diaper changes without exiting the vehicle.
• SUV or Crossover: These vehicles offer plenty of backseat legroom as well as lots of storage space for sporting equipment and other gear. SUVs and crossovers also offer many different body styles within their own class. 
• Conversion van: These vans are ideal for those with large families. They have spacious interiors, and some can handle seating for up to nine passengers.
• Compact car: These vehicles are often the least expensive on the road. Compact cars are a good choice if you need a car mainly for driving to work or for short errands. Due to their small size, they're not ideal for families.
• Sedan or Coupe: These cars are practical, and many are very reliable. Their price range is wide, so it should be easy to find several within your budget.
• Hatchback: These vehicles provide a cost-effective alternative to the popular SUV. The extra cargo space in the back makes them ideal for vacations and other trips requiring you to bring gear.
• Electric or hybrid cars: These popular models use both traditional gasoline and battery power. Electric cars and hybrid cars are quite efficient but have a higher up-front cost than a traditional car, and may be very difficult to find used. 
• Diesel cars: These cars also get great gas mileage, but you must be sure to fill them up at a gas station that offers diesel fuel. In addition, diesel vehicles often require higher service levels if you experience a mechanical breakdown. 
• Luxury car: Luxury or exotic cars are often equipped with the most modern and high-tech safety features available. They also offer drivers additional perks like comfort and dynamic performance.

You'll want to consider which type of car offers the best design for you, as well as performance, safety features, gas mileage, and more.

2. What is your budget?

Nothing can set you up for financial stress quite like taking out a loan or lease on a car you can't afford. When determining the budget for your new car, make sure to consider all the potential costs associated with it, not just the monthly car payment. Be sure to also factor in the following:

• Car insurance premiums
• Maintenance and repairs
• Routine emissions testing
• Gas
• Parking
• Tolls

Make sure to have a clear idea of your budget before shopping for an auto loan. If you're sure you can comfortably make the monthly payments in addition to all the costs listed above, you'll be setting yourself up for success financially. 

3. Do you want a new or used car?

The thought of buying a brand-new car is enticing for many drivers. For starters, the vehicle has no prior driver history and comes with zero miles on the odometer. You can also enjoy the benefits of the manufacturer's warranty to the fullest extent. Also, the vehicle's interior and exterior should be spotlessly clean and fresh.

However, there are a lot of possible benefits to buying a used car, too. They often come with a cheaper price tag and have reduced depreciation compared to new vehicles. But also consider that you can't be certain of the vehicle's full history, including prior drivers' behaviors on the road. A used vehicle might also require more maintenance, and its parts already come with wear and tear. 

On the other hand, you can consider the potential drawbacks of buying a new vehicle. The higher starting price is obvious, but you can also end up paying more for car insurance. Also, many excited owners of new vehicles overlook the fact that new cars come with instant depreciation, starting the moment they're driven off the dealership's lot.

4. What kind of safety rating are you looking for?

A vehicle's safety rating is hopefully among your list of priorities when considering which car you want to buy. This is another factor that makes prior research extremely beneficial. 

Spend some time researching safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a few different car models you're considering before visiting a dealership. You can see how each vehicle performed in a variety of safety tests, including crash tests and safety features tests, as well as the overall ratings they've been awarded. Completing this step can also help you find the safest vehicles of the year. 

5. How much power do you need?

Consider how you'll be using your vehicle, such as to haul heavy loads or just for typical everyday purposes like commuting to work and grocery runs. You might need a more powerful vehicle if you regularly make deliveries or otherwise transport large loads. 

The average driver only needs as much horsepower as they feel comfortable experiencing during a test drive on a variety of roads, including highways. There's really no reason to buy more power than you need, considering you'll pay much more than necessary for it in the sticker price upfront and in terms of fuel as time goes on.

6. What features do you need?

List all the features you'd like to see included in your next vehicle. Separate the non-negotiable items from the pure wants. You might list things such as:

• Good gas mileage
• Comfort features like dual climate control or heated seats
• Driver assistance features like lane-change alerts or adaptive cruise control
• Efficient drivetrain
• Robust engine
• Technology features like an infotainment system or Bluetooth pairing
• Towing capability
• Rearview camera

Researching several types of vehicles online first can easily help you determine which cars contain the exact safety, comfort, technology, and other features you're looking for. 

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The Bottom Line

Take some time to answer all these questions for yourself before you start shopping for your next vehicle. That way, you can walk into a dealership, ask for exactly what you need, and leave no room for getting stuck with a car you'll regret buying. Before you sign any paperwork, however, make sure not to skip the test drive.

An Independent Insurance Agent Can Get You Equipped with Car Insurance

As previously mentioned, car insurance should be on your list of priorities when shopping for your next vehicle. Adequate car insurance that meets your state's minimum coverage requirements is a must to avoid penalties like fines, a suspended license, and more. 

Local independent insurance agents can shop and compare quotes from multiple carriers in your area to find you the best overall blend of coverage and cost. And down the road, they can help file car insurance claims for you and update your coverage as necessary.