We all know – or at least have an idea – what we like regarding our vehicle. Some people choose a vehicle based on their lifestyle or career, while others choose based on the passengers who will ride the car regularly. There are plenty of considerations when it comes to choosing a vehicle, and many people have to decide on a compromise between what they need and what they want. But other factors can influence your decision – such as where you reside or live, what you do and what you want to do, and, more importantly, what you can realistically afford. These top three factors can influence your car-buying decision and make all the difference, and here’s why.
- Where you reside/live
The first factor of the three, where you reside or live, can be tricky. No car can fit all environments based on where you reside. Think about it: a subcompact vehicle may work well when you live in the city, but if you are occasionally travelling to the mountains or on rough terrain, they may not be a good choice. On the other hand, a full-sized truck may work well up in the mountains, but it’s a nightmare to park it anywhere in the city.
If the weather is a problem where you reside, you may do well with an AWD vehicle that can deal with both snowy and rainy days, as recommended by Young Auto in Utah. If you live out in the country and your driveway turns into a mud puddle in winter, you could very well go for an SUV to optimize traction. If you live in an urban area, you could opt for a smaller vehicle that’s easy to maneuver and easy to park in the urban jungle.
- What you do and what you like to do
You may want to consider vehicles that not only fit your daily commute but also vehicles that are the right fit for what you like to do on weekends. Unless you’re someone who can easily afford a car for both purposes, your best bet is a car that is a good fit for both. Luckily for you, it’s easy enough to find that compromise. For example, if you need a car with good fuel economy during the week and need a vehicle that is fine with long roads and twists and turns for the weekends, you could choose a sportier sedan and equip it with high-performance tires, a manual transmission or paddle shifters, and a sporty mode that can level up its performance.
If you spend most of the week driving your kids around from one practice to the next but your entire weekends are spent on trips to the mountains, you can go for a balance between the two with an AWD mini-van or crossover that has ample storage as well.
- What you can buy
There’s also the vital question of what you can afford, which can be a bit more challenging to decide. Don’t just consider the monthly payments – think about ownership costs, such as maintenance, insurance, fuel, and registration. Stay as informed as possible about what’s on-trend in the market – for instance, dealers and manufacturers present new and used vehicle deals every month, which stretches your buying leverage and power.
