Used Car or new?  

By purchasing a used car, you can save a lot of money. A new car depreciates quickly in the first few years and after 3 years, it is worth only about 60-70% of the original price. In fact, as soon as you leave the dealership, your new vehicle is suddenly worth less. It’s true in general, a new car requires less maintenance in first few years and most of the problems occurred within the original warranty coverage period will be covered by the car manufacturer. Yet, buying a new car does not always mean the buyer will get perfection. A new car may come with problems associated with poor design or manufacturing defects that may have been already repaired during the warranty coverage period if it's a used car. The same is true for all kinds of recalls and service campaigns.

Buying a used car is still a bit of a gamble - there is no guarantee that the car is accident-free and was properly maintained. However, used cars are more reliable these days and there are number of ways to reduce the risks associated with used car buying. For example, you can check the used car history records and have a used car properly inspected by a knowledgeable person prior purchase. If the car qualifies, you can buy an extended warranty to protect yourself from unexpected repair costs. Check our used car buying guide for more tips.

Vehicle Safety. 

There is no perfectly safe car, but certain models can protect you better in case of a crash.
Some vehicles offer features that may help you to avoid an accident in the first place.

Reliability. 

Reliability is one of the most important factors to consider if you decided to go for a used car. Not all cars are the same. Some models are proven to be very reliable, others are known for constant problems. Since it is a used car, the original warranty coverage is probably over and you want the model that is more reliable.

Fuel Economy.

With unpredictable fuel prices, choosing the more fuel-efficient vehicle will help you to save money at the pump. Fuel-efficient cars pollute less, which is good for the environment. By choosing a more economical vehicle you are helping to fight global warming.

Considering environmental impact.

All cars with an internal combustion engine produce some amount of emissions as by-products of burring fuel in the engine or from evaporation of the fuel itself. Modern cars produce a lot less pollution than those from 60s or 70s, but considering how many more cars are on the road today, they are still one of the significant sources of air pollution.

Depreciation 

Some cars hold value well, while others depreciate very quickly. If you want to keep your car only for a few years and then trade it in, consider a model that will not drop in value too quickly over your ownership period.

Make or model 

I'm often asked what make or model I'd recommend? I don't think there is a certain make or model that is just perfect for everyone. It really depends on what exactly you expecting from your next vehicle and how much money you want to spend

Cost of insurance 

The cost of insurance varies a lot depending on the make, year, model and even the colour of the car, as well as driver's experience and many other factors. I definitely recommended getting insurance quotes before buying a car.

Automatic or manual transmission 

It is much easier to drive a car with an automatic transmission. An automatic transmission offers more convenience, but it involves a more complicated device and breaks more often. The repair of an automatic transmission tends to be quite expensive. When you buy a used car, the automatic transmission is one of the important parts to check

Considering a car with Diesel engine 

Cars with a diesel engine consume almost half as much fuel as the same car with a gasoline engine. However, there is a price to pay: Diesel engines are a bit noisier and there always will be that not very pleasant smell from the exhaust. Some Diesel engine vehicles require only synthetic oil which means higher maintenance cost.

Four-cylinder or six? 

Four-cylinder engines usually provide better fuel economy, but V6 and V8 engines generally have more power and little more durability. The V6 (or V8) engine will be a good choice if you want to use your car for towing a trailer. For normal city driving, a four-cylinder engine will do the job just fine

Do I need the ABS?

The four-wheel ABS or Anti-lock Braking System is designed to help the driver maintain steering control during hard braking, especially in slippery conditions. How it works:
Imagine, you are driving a car without ABS on a slippery road (e.g. after a rain or snow). Suddenly, you notice something on the road right in front of you. You hit the brakes, and try to turn aside, but the steering doesn't work; the car just skids out of control. Why, because all the wheels are locked up while you're holding down the brake pedal. As a result, you lose the ability to steer the vehicle.

Braking on the snow without ABS

The four-wheel ABS can help in situations like this. It prevents the wheels from locking up, helping you maintain steering control during braking. In a similar situation, driving a car equipped with four-wheel ABS, it would be easier for you to steer your vehicle while braking.

Is it worth to buy a car that is in need of some repairs? 

I wouldn't advice to buy such a car even if the price seems to be very cheap and here is why: Usually used car like this needs a lot more repairs than it may seem at the first look.

People have different attitudes to handling finances 

The most common cause of disagreement between people in both new and established relationships is money and it can cause fundamental problems if not dealt with. People have different attitudes to handling money, often influenced by personal experiences and upbringing. Here are some of the most common signs that there may be trouble ahead:

Do you talk about money? The crux of money problems is often down to communication. You are unlikely to be able to deal with money problems unless you can both discuss your finances and your feelings about them.

Do you like to be in control? Money is very powerful and if you like to be the controlling personality in the relationship, it is easy to use money as a tool to gain and stay in control. This can be a real issue when one party earns much more than the other. Money issues frequently mask deeper underlying issues of control and power in a relationship.

Is there a difference in levels of responsibility in your relationship? If one of you is irresponsible by habit and the other is more sensible this may be reflected in your attitudes to finances.

Do you have the same financial priorities? If you don't have a spending or saving plan and have not agreed how much you can both spend after all the bills have been paid, this can create conflict.

As your attitude towards money been coloured by your upbringing or a previous relationship? If your upbringing was burdened by financial worries you may be afraid to spend money now. If you had a previous partner who was very careless with money and caused financial problems, you may be over cautious.

Is the issue really financial? The issue may be more about unspoken aspirations for the future and the financial planning that goes with that. The first step is identifying why there are money problems between the two of you and what is causing them. Try completing our Financial Compatibility Audit to see where the greatest problems lie. The next step in working through money problems is to ensure that you and your partner discuss what is working and what needs resolving. One way to do this is to complete a Financial Agreement Plan.