Hints For Young First Time Buyers
Why have we singled out this group for special attention and advice? Simply because they are the group most likely to be taken advantage of and finish up with vehicles and finance and insurance arrangements which are not suited to their needs. So here are a few pointers to put you in the right direction.
- When deciding where to buy, ask friends or family to point you in the direction of dealers they have had good experiences with.
- When viewing vehicles, take someone older and more experienced with you - like your Dad if you can cope with embarrassment. That way, the seller is less likely to try and take advantage of you.
- Don't rush into buying the first car you see - easily done in the excitement of the moment. Shop around, compare cars - you'll be surprised how your opinions will change as you try different cars.
- Never be afraid to walk away if a car isn't EXACTLY what you want. Salesmen are very good at giving you time and then making you feel obliged to buy something. Ask all the questions you want, then politely say you want to go away and think about it. Then DO go away and think about it!
- When viewing a used car, it's easy to think you'll never find another one as good as that and you have to pay the asking price. Haggle! There are loads of excellent used cars on the market - if the one you are viewing seems pricy, walk away.
- Always check the insurance group and get a quote before agreeing to buy. If you are young and inexperienced, the insurance premium could well be higher than the cost of the car, particularly if you are a boy! Check our insurance guide here to help you through the insurance maze.
- Don't buy a car with loads of body kit stuck on. It may look cool, but it will probably have been thrashed and it will add to your insurance costs.
- Good cars for a reasonable insurance rate have small engines (sorry!) and are cheap to repair. Good choices are the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta - ever noticed how a lot of young drivers drive these? It's because they are a very good first buy.
