Things to Consider When Buying a Car

There are several things to consider when buying a car and to begin with it’s easy to feel a little overwhelmed. But buying a new car should be exciting - not stressful - and that’s why following some easy tips and tricks can help to make the whole process as simple as can be.

Here at Eden, we’ve got a wide variety of cars - both new and used - to check out, so we’ll have something for any type of buyer. In this article, we’re going to take a look through some of the key things to bear in mind when buying a car.

Price

A good place to start is with price. Setting a firm budget can make sure that you don’t accidentally spend more than you’d like to. It’s also a good idea to do some research into insurance costs so that you’re able to factor these into your spending overall. Because of this, you’ll have a clearer picture of what you’ll end up paying.

It’s also worth thinking about how you’d like to pay for your next car. Paying outright is an option, but if this isn’t viable then Eden offers a number of finance packages to help spread the cost of any new vehicle that you’re looking to buy.

Fuel Type

While choosing a fuel a few years ago used to be quite simple, it’s a little more complicated these days. Of course, you’ve got traditional petrol and diesel options, but you might want to consider hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric variants too. Both hybrids bring the benefit of a combustion engine running in the background and can provide a good option if you’ve not got reliable charging options nearby. They are factors to consider when you’re looking at buying a car.

However, if you do have charging close to you - or if you can get a charge point fitted at home - then an electric car can bring some serious savings when compared to a ‘traditional’ combustion engine car. Eden has plenty of options when it comes to all of these powertrains, too, so check them out via our website today.

Running Costs

Running costs are another key area of consideration when buying a second-hand car. If you’ve been using a car already, then it could be worth making some rough estimations of how much you’ve been spending on fuel, tax and servicing and seeing how this might compare to a newer, more efficient model.

Don’t forget to remember that insurance costs, too, as well as a yearly MOT if your car is over three years of age. Again, hybrids and electric cars often bring lower running costs, so these could be worth checking out if you’re looking to reduce your car-related outgoings.

Gearbox

What type of gearbox your car has can often reflect the type of driving you do. Automatics used to be less common on cars but you’ll find them on many of Eden’s current range of vehicles. They’re a little more relaxing to use and can be less stressful in stop-start traffic than a manual gearbox car.

However, manual cars are often a little cheaper - and better if you’re on a budget, as a result - while bringing lower repair costs and more reliability overall. If you’ve done an automatic-only driving test then a manual car won’t be an option, though.

Size

Considering the size of the car that you want is also a good area to start. Think about the type of situations that you use your current vehicle for - or could imagine a future car being used for. Do you need to take children to school? Do you often take more than three passengers? Do you need to transport big, heavy goods frequently?

All of these things will dictate the type of car that’ll work best for you. SUVs provide a large amount of space inside and traditionally bring good levels of headroom, while estate cars in contrast often have a very large boot that is easy to access thanks to the car’s low height overall. Consider all of these factors and it’ll be easier to find a car that slots into your life as seamlessly as possible.

Here at Eden, we’ve got cars of all shapes and sizes, as well as ones with every type of powertrain that you could think of. Head on over to our website to see our current stock of new and used cars and while you’re there, you’ll be able to see prices, finance examples and further details about all of the vehicles we have to offer.