Luxuries vs. Necessities
It’s an exciting time in your life. Maybe you just got a raise and a promotion; maybe you’re trading in. Or maybe you’re just upgrading. Whatever the reason, you’re here. You’re buying a new car. And it’s exciting. It’s like buying your first car all over again; only this time, you’re well informed. It’s hard to beat the feeling you get when you’re driving down the road with your new car.
But before you get ahead of yourself and fall in love with the latest and greatest in car models, think before you buy.
When it comes to buying a new car, there’s a difference between what you need and what you want.
First, ask yourself what is a necessity and what is a luxury? Different people want different things. What will seem as a necessity to you may be a bonus to others. Have kids? Space is a necessity! Bachelor for life? Space is where you can pack all your friends in or fit your camping supplies for a weekend.
Here are a few things to keep in mind so you can help yourself draw the line when buying that new car.
Features
Do you like having power windows? The ability to have a breeze at the touch of a button is magical, but if it’s not a life-changing necessity, then you can probably do without it (though we aren’t sure there are many new vehicles these days that don’t come equipped with power windows). Automated seats that perfectly adjust to your height and comfort levels are also nice, but if they add an extra cost to your bottom line, then maybe that’s where you draw the line.
Space Capacity
As we mentioned above, think about what you’re going to be using your car for. If carting around a soccer team to various meets and practices is a weekly thing in your life, then space is a must. If you have three or four Great Dane’s that you like to take to the beach, then space is likely also a necessity. But if you’re driving for one or two and have little to no need for space (maybe you have tiny apartment dogs, are a crazy cat lady, or have kids that don’t like sports) then space is probably not your top priority.
Engine
How often will you use your new car? If your commute to work is lengthy, then you may want to think about falling in love with something that isn’t a V8 engine. If your commute has you traveling down long stretches of highways, then a diesel engine will likely be your best performance vehicle. In the long run, it’s best to do your homework on the cost of oil, maintenance, and gas that will go into your future commutes before you set your sights on any car.