Things To Consider Before Purchasing A New Vehicle

Purchasing a car is not a one day endeavor. There are many decisions to consider and factors to balance before you drive off the lot. Take a look below at our guide to purchasing a new car:

What can you afford?

Following a home, a vehicle is typically the next biggest expense. To determine how much you can comfortably afford to spend on a monthly car payment, subtract all of your living expenses such as home, groceries, clothing, utilities, insurance, and bill payments. Be sure to take account of regular car expenses including licensing, registration, insurance, and gas.

What function will the car serve?

Before you purchase a car, think about how you will use it. What do you need your car for? Will it be to get you from point A to point B? Will it be for your family of five to use for everything from school drop-offs, soccer carpools, and road trips? Will you use it for long commutes or short bursts of travel? These factors will determine what kind of vehicle suits you best.

Does it have good mileage?

Whether or not your car has good gas mileage can determine how much it will cost you in gas money a year. Older cars and large trucks and SUVs will have poorer gas mileage than a smaller vehicle, though can suit larger families better than smaller options.

New or used?

Is buying a brand new car a priority to you? The moment a new car leaves a lot, it begins to lose value. If you are on a budget, the best option is to buy a quality car that is two to three years old. You will benefit from an excellent quality car at a much better price.

Buy or lease?

With leasing, you are looking at lower monthly car payments and can usually get a newer car for a lower price. Repair costs are also lower since you are under the vehicle’s factory warranty. If you so choose, you can easily upgrade your vehicle every few years without having to hassle with trade-in or selling situations. When buying a car, however, you gain better value for your buck. Purchasing a car is an investment toward your future. With consistent upkeep, you can expect to use your car well after you are finished with payments. It all depends on your lifestyle.

What specials features do you prioritize?

Once you figure out the function you want your vehicle to serve, what are the secondary functions you want to consider? Are you or a member of your family a part of a sports team? Do you enjoy taking your family on camping trips or road trips? Then you might need plenty of extra storage options. If you are craving the best road safety features, look for a car that has anti-locking brakes, an electronic stability system, roadside assistance, side airbags, blind-spot monitoring, and a backup camera for safety.

How much will it cost to insure your new car?

Different makes and models offer different insurance rates. Better safety features mean lower rates. Sports cars, on the other hand, are a little more pricey to insure. Before you sign the check, ask your insurance carrier for a quote on a new car.

Do your research.

If you invest even a small amount of your time into research, your hard work will result in finding the perfect car suited to your needs. Consumerreports.org is an excellent resource that offers a bounty of information on every available car on the market. Use it to compare safety features, costs, and more.

There are many factors to balance before it comes to purchasing a new car. For more resources and excellent customer service and support, visit the professionals at Tenvoorde Ford today.

Better Gas Mileage – Be on Mother Nature’s Fuel Efficient Nice List

It seems like every gas station has a coupon book or membership program encouraging you to save money on gas. That’s great, we all love saving money, but sometimes it seems like saving 5 cents doesn’t do much good, especially when it costs $20 to $40 to fill your tank. We did some research and found the best ways to conserve fuel:

Lead Feet = Bad Mileage

From the start, we usually have an understanding that driving on the highway achieves better gas mileage than driving on city roads. However, this does not mean that the faster that you drive the better gas mileage you will receive. Think of it like a Bell curve; up to about 55 mph you will achieve better gas mileage the faster you go, but when you pass 55 mph, you will start to burn more fuel. Just like with most things in life, moderation is best. Drive a moderate speed for the most efficient use of fuel.

Accessories Can Be A Drag

Reducing wind drag can dramatically increase your mileage. Consumer Reports did a test with a bike rack on a Honda Accord and found that the bike rack reduced the mileage by about 15 mpg - that’s a big difference! And when they put bikes on the rack it was even worse. So, remember to always take extra cargo racks off your vehicle when not in use.

Cold Starts Burn Fuel Faster

Thankfully, we are beginning to see less of this, but living in Minnesota, we have all experienced having to sit in a cold car waiting for the opportunity to see out the windshield. Unfortunately for us, cars really work best in warm climates. That’s why it’s important to let your car warm up before putting the car in drive. Think of it as stretching before a race, an athlete wouldn’t jump out of bed and start running as fast as they can, and neither should your car. The extra gas you use letting your car warm up will save much more on the roads.

Steady Does It - Stay Consistent

Speaking of stopping and going - drive consistently. Stepping on the gas at the stop light to beat the person next to you into the merge lane only reduces your gas mileage. It might save you a few extra seconds, but it does a number on your car. This is the same for braking hard, you car is working hard to keep up with pressured acceleration and braking and it can take its toll over time. Consistent driving is not only good on your gas mileage, but it is also better for your engine, brakes, and tires.

If you would like to see how your car is performing (or not performing), stop into Tenvoorde. We will inspect your car for other fuel-efficient setbacks and get you on your way to better fuel efficiency.