Buying your first car is an exhilarating experience. It’s also a purchase that requires proper planning, savings and responsibility. Saving for a car takes time, so you have to be disciplined. But before you start saving, you need to plan what kind of car you are going to get, how much you want to spend and when you want to buy the car by.

Buying a car can be expensive, so planning and saving will be crucial. However, there are a few ways to make that car budget of yours stretch. Here are a few tips to help you get more for your money:

Used Cars

Used cars are cheaper than brand new cars. So, this is where you should start looking first. You can get some great deals on second hand cars. In fact, you can save thousands of dollars, which will allow you to potentially get a better car than you were originally hoping for. Just make sure the used car comes with the right documents showing their upkeep, mileage, any previous accidents and other related items.

Demo Cars

Demo cars are also a great option for saving money. These are the cars that the dealership use for test drives, so they do have some mileage on them. They are not completely brand new, but are newer than the used car option and will often be looked after better.

Extra Fees

Just about all cars come with extra fees, which can include things like stamp duty, insurance and various inspections. Make sure you leave some room in your budget to pay for these fees. Also, make sure you ask ahead of time what the fees are.

Practicality

When buying your first car, it’s best to get a vehicle that’s practical. If you have to drive a long way every day, make sure you get a car that has great fuel efficiency. If you live in an area with rough terrain, then get a vehicle that can handle driving on tough ground. Think of what you need, rather than just what you want.

Living Expenses

If you are unable to pay for the car upfront, then you will have to get a loan. This means you will have monthly payments. So it’s a good idea to figure out how much you can afford to pay per month. Figure this out based on the maximum amount of expenses you have, not on what you may think you can cut out. That way when you have months where other living expenses are lower than expected, then you can afford to pay more on your car loan.

Dealer

Make sure you buy from a reputable dealer. Bartons Hyundai not only has a solid reputation, but they also offer award winning services, amazing cars and will strive to make your first car buying experience smooth, satisfying and memorable.