Are you looking to buy your first vehicle?

Here are 5 tips to help you choose wisely.

The time has finally come! You’re getting ready to shop around for your very first vehicle. Because a vehicle is a big-ticket item that you will likely keep for numerous years, best to give it some serious thought so as to make the best possible choice! Check out the tips below on how to find a really good vehicle.

1. Determine your needs. Approximately how many kilometres will you be driving each year? Will you need to pull a trailer or carry heavy loads in your vehicle? Will you do a lot of driving on poorly cleared secondary roads during the winter? While it’s fairly easy to know which vehicle we’d like to own, it’s important to make a distinction between one’s dreams and reality. Let’s just say the nifty sports car seen in ads may not be the best choice to carpool kids to hocky tournaments.
2. Establish a budget. This is a very important factor to consider before beginning to shop around. In addition to the purchase cost of a vehicle, remember that you’ll need to pay for license plates, insurance and more. Gas, maintenance and parking will also need to be paid for, all the more so if you travel long distances.
   
   If you’re wondering whether to buy a gas-powered vehicle or go electric, think about all of the costs associated with both options. This, rather than just the sticker price, will provide you more information for making a decision. You can also read our article, Is driving an electric vehicle all that different?
3. Time to choose! Depending on your needs and budget, you’ll be able to narrow down your choice to a few models. There are surely people you know with similar vehicles to those you’re considering and who’ll be more than happy to talk about the pros and cons. If you’re still unsure, check out some reporters or critics who post videos of their test drives, along with their opinions!
4. Take a test drive. Whether the vehicle you’re considering is new or used, don’t forget to take it for a spin before you buy it. If possible, test drive the vehicle in areas where you plan on driving regularly (in the city, on highways, on poorly maintained roads, etc.). If you’re uneasy behind the wheel during the test drive, odds are you won’t be any happier once you’ve made the purchase.
5. If buying a used vehicle, remember to have it inspected. This is an absolutely necessity! Although today’s vehicles may be more reliable than they used to be, there are still countless ‘future’ problems that can’t be detected by the naked eye, or by the sister-in-law’s cousin who worked in a garage when he was a student... Choose a garage you trust for this step, as it can save you multiple headaches and dollars further down the road.

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