Your first car is one that you’ll always remember. Whether you’re just learning to drive for the first time, or you’ve been handed your full licence and you’re looking for your first car, it’s important to get the decision right. Fortunately, the lower end of the market is enormously competitive, with dozens of manufacturers offering respectable options at this price-point.
Let’s consider a few of the features and factors you’ll want to consider when you’re thinking about how to spend your money.
Size
If you opt for a car that’s too big, then you’ll have difficulty manoeuvring it, and you might find that it’s a struggle to park where you’d like. Of course, you should also have enough space to meet your basic needs, otherwise you might find that you need to replace the car after just a few years. The Vauxhall Corsa is a popular choice for new drivers, in large part thanks to its compromise between size and capacity.
Fuel
Nowadays, you have a lot of choice when it comes to fuel. There are electric vehicles, and more traditional petrol and diesel-powered ones. There are also hybrids, which strike a balance between the two. Think about the fuel economy and resale value when you’re assessing your choice of vehicle.
If you want something greener, then you might be tempted to go electric – but bear in mind that by going second-hand, you’re eliminating the environmental cost of a new car, which might make a traditional diesel the greener choice in the short-term. To cut a long story short: make sure that you’ve done your research.
Avoid Accessories
The infotainment system in your car can vastly improve the driving experience – but it’ll also present you with a little bit of a learning curve. You don’t want to be fiddling around with Bluetooth pairing before you’ve gotten to grips with driving in practice. Driving while distracted can be deadly, so make sure that you take this consideration seriously.
Running Costs
Before you make the purchase, you should have an idea of your overall budget. This shouldn’t just cover the asking price, but the running costs. After all, you don’t want to unknowingly burden yourself long in the future.
Think about the reliability of your purchase, and make sure that you do the research to check what the vehicle’s track record is like. Look at the advertised fuel economy, and calculate how much you’re going to spend, based on your monthly mileage.
Tax and insurance will also make a big difference, especially if you’re a new driver. Your road tax rate will tend to depend on your emissions, which is a good reason to go electric. If you do decide to go electric, then look at the cost of charging facilities at your home, if you don’t have access to electric charging stations nearby.
