How to buy your first car

Jimmy Oliver, Reporting Staff

The exhilaration when you start the engine of your first very own car is an exciting moment. You pull into the street, knowing that you have the freedom to go anywhere, and do anything. It makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. The world is yours for the taking, you are unstoppable… then BAM! You hear a loud pop from the engine, steam pours out from the hood of the car. The “check engine” light appears on the dashboard. Uh oh, that’s thousands of dollars wasted, flowing down the storm drain.

After recently buying my first car, I know from experience what to look for before investing thousands of dollars into a used vehicle. Don’t be like the person in the story. Take a look at this guide and get a basic understanding of any used vehicle.

  1. Check the body of the car: The first thing you want to do when checking a car is look for any damage to the body. Make sure there are no dents, scratches, or rust marks. These may not affect the actual handling of the vehicle, but you can probably get a good chunk of cash off the price. However, if there is a crack in the windshield, that can lead to an inspection failure and a very costly repair.
  2. Do some research. Is the car really worth it? See what other drivers have to say about the model. If it gets lots of negative feedback, maybe another car would be a better choice.
  3. Under the hood: The engine is an imperative part of any vehicle. If there are signs of rust, dents, leaks or any other forms of damage, that is a big red light. An engine in poor condition can lead to incredible amounts of repair and even more money out the window.
  4. Check the mileage. The amount of miles a car has determines how much travel the vehicle has endured since it was made. It’s quite rare to find a used, affordable car with low miles on it. Ideally, you should look for one with less than 100,000 miles on it. But it’s okay if you exceed that mileage. Depending on the make and model of the vehicle, mileage can have different effects.
  5. Test Driving: If you cannot legally test drive the vehicle, at least have a trusted, experienced driver test it for you. If at all possible, take it to a trustworthy mechanic before purchase. They can point out any flaws that the seller may have failed to point out. If all goes well on the test ride, you can seriously start to consider buying the vehicle.

Again, I am no expert on the matter of cars, but I do speak from experience. There are many other factors that can determine the value of a car. Buying a car, especially your first, can be a very risky move financially. However, if you do your homework and inspect the vehicle thoroughly, you should be on the road in no time.