By Mike McCarty Staff Writer Girls may have trouble buying clothes, and men may have trouble deciding what new kicks they want, but everyone has trouble buying a decent car. There’s a lot to think about when buying your first car; it’s not as simple as picking out the “nicest” pair of Jordans that just came out or the “cutest” top on a clothing rack. The most important thing needed to buy a car is figuring out how to budget your money and what you can afford. This includes any down payments you may need to pay, monthly payments you might have to make, the cost of your insurance, or the cost of any customizations you may want. “If I could do anything to my car, I would love for it to all be leopard print,” senior Jennifer Hedrick said. Most teenagers would love to own and drive a brand new car for their first car. Realistically, this is not the case for many of them. Hand-me down vehicles are common amongst teenagers, and owning a pre-owned car for your first car is an excellent choice for many reasons. The big reason is that the overall cost of your car and the cost of insurance will be much lower than a brand-new or recently new model. Since you will be new to driving, the cost of repairs will be much cheaper, also. “I would rather own a pre-owned vehicle than a brand new vehicle, as long as it gets me from point A to B and back to point A. There’s no point in spending hundreds and thousands more on a brand new car just to say it’s new,” senior Gloria Maldonado said. Now, if you are buying a used car it is greatly recommended that you check the vehicles’ VIN number. When searched, the number will bring up all of the cars past information such as how many accidents it has been in, the manufacturer, car model, and more. “VIN numbers alone will tell you more about a vehicle than what any dealer will,” senior Austin Russell said. If you buy a used car from someone directly rather than a dealership it is always good to bring a mechanic with you to make sure everything runs how it should. The money spent to hire a mechanic could save you money in the long run. “First check the car’s VIN number then bring a mechanic so you don’t find any unsuspected surprises,” Russell said. Another aspect of car buying is the maker of the car and what type or model you would like to have. Many teenagers picture having a nice fast Lamborghini or Ferrari to ride around in, but we have to be realistic when it comes to car buying. Don’t try to buy anything you can’t afford. When it comes down to power versus performance, performance wins every time. The performance of the vehicle is the main focus of any car, you need something that will last. If you are wanting to spend less on gas, you should look for a nice six-cylinder engine car rather than a gas guzzling eight-cylinder. For the average teenager a good price to pay for insurance every month is between $70 and $100 for one who owns a used car. Now remember, these prices are decided on your age, occupation, type of car you drive, your driving record, and the type of coverage you buy. Everyone has their own unique style and personality which really influences the type of car you buy and want to drive. Remembering these tips can help you save buckets of cash in the long-run, which can then help you buy your dream car later down the road.
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