One of the most important considerations when looking for another car is whether you want a used or new car. Of course, this is generally budget dependent, but there are other factors that may play a role in your final decision. You can find some dealerships that offer great deals on new cars, with low down payments, affordable monthly payments, and free or extremely cheap car insurance, which you may find more affordable than paying for a used car in one lump sum. It’s worth doing the math though, often what seems like a good deal can end up costing you considerably more for your car than you first realized.

The first decision really is what make and model of car you fancy. Factors you need to consider are of course your budget, but also the number of people you need to transport comfortably, the size of the car and engine to save fuel, and the type of terrain you regularly drive on. All of the major manufacturers have websites with the statistics for their individual models, so even if you can’t afford a new car, you can still find out the specs of the model you’re targeting.

If you buy a used car, it is important to check if you have been involved in an accident or not, and also (particularly if you buy it from a private party) if there is money outstanding on the car. There are ways to check it quickly, easily and inexpensively. It’s definitely worth checking things like the odometer in case the car has high mileage, it may have been used as a taxi, in which case it should be less expensive than a lower mileage car.

If you are buying a car from a dealership, it is worth considering the amount of warranty that is available on the car and carefully checking the bodywork for signs of rot or damage. This can be a good bargaining point for you to lower the price a bit. In addition, it is worth thinking about the time of your purchase. Many dealerships will be more open to offers at the end of the month, especially if they haven’t met their goals yet, so you may be able to get a little more discount than you thought.