Finding the Right Car or Vehicle: A Guide on Working Out Exactly What You Need

Belinda smiling at Gravity Show 2024

The name probably gives it away, but I'm a bit of an enthusiast when it comes to cars. I've kept my ear close to the ground with new car launches, new technology and new manufacturers entering the market - but not everyone can do this or follow it. From my experience, I've seen a lot of people locked out of making informed decisions about their first or next vehicles simply because there is too much noise and jargon.

So, how do we simplify finding the right vehicle for you? And, how do you push past all the noise to help you make your decision? Well, I'll cover all that in this guide, helping you piece together your must-haves and budget to find what's right for you.

Brand loyalty aside, set your budget

Cars are normally the second most expensive purchase we might make in our lives next to home ownership. So, we often need to take some time to understand how much we can afford to spend.

Car prices have also come a long way over the years. My first car (pictured left), for example, cost £150, but it did have a flat battery, needed rewiring and had algae growing in the headlining - lovely, I know. However, many spend around £500+ sometimes on the very first car they purchase. Brand new drivers also have higher insurance premiums too, so it's worth mentioning the overall value of your car may have an impact on your insurance quote.

For those looking to upgrade, you might also be considering something with a bit more stability, style or space, which will reflect in the car's cost. Whether you have the full make and model of your dream car to work towards, or simply want a trusted mode of transport, you'll be looking for something that directly meets your needs.

Speaking from experience, your budget should be realistic and reflect a figure you can afford without causing yourself financial issues. There is plenty of advice online about budgeting for a new car or expensive purchase, and these tools are best-placed to support you with expert opinions and articles to read. It's also worth remembering that, if you feel confident to, there might be opportunities for you to haggle and negotiate the cost.

List out your must-haves and live-withouts

Both are really good indicators that help you narrow down your search in picking the right car for you.

For first time drivers, you'll want something that helps you feel safe, is cheaper to run and that feels comfortable for you to drive - I highly recommend the Toyota Yaris, but then I am biased.

More experienced drivers may make their purchase either to enjoy something different or to reflect certain life events, such as growing a family or needing space for mobility equipment.

Some must-haves you might consider, include:

• Live in a hilly area? You might want a car with a bit more torque and power

• Often have rear-seat passenger? You might want a car boosting more interior space and rear seat access

• Commuting long distances? You might want a car that offers a good range or mileage

I once had a Toyota Aygo - small but mighty - but we really struggled to reach 40mph going uphill. Not a good look when tractors are overtaking you.

So, what about those live-withouts. What might they look like?

• Exterior colours and interior trims - if you're on a stricter budget, you may want to avoid customisation to help you save money

• Lots of horsepower - whilst these are fun, if you jump up significantly in terms of power, you might see more expensive insurance premiums to pay

• 3-door vs 5-door - if it's cheaper to buy one over the other, and you have no need to access rear seats easily or don't mind having the extra doors, it's a simple thing to live without

I'm a real sucker for carbon detailing and a carbon trim. Unfortunately, these may be a touch more expensive to add when you first buy. There is nothing saying that you can't modify your car aesthetically after you have purchased it outright, but you'll need to check this with your insurance company to ensure your premiums don't go up.

Start your search for a car

Tools like AutoTrader are super handy for identifying the type of car you might want to purchase, especially as you can customise your search to reflect cost, must-haves and mileage. Similarly, your local car dealership will welcome you in and may recommend cars to you that should suit your needs.

Sites that allow you to find the right vehicle for you also provide advice on what the overall purchase cost or finance agreements might look like. Depending on your situation, you'll want to consider the right purchase route for you in more detail. This isn't something you should rush, particularly if you are parting with a considerable sum of money.

Find online reviews

As well as searching online, you can also look at forums and car reviews to help find out more information. There are plenty of sources online that provide in-depth or bite-size reviews. In fact, I have a handful on my Instagram page that are simple and easy to follow.

YouTube has some great long-form and short-form content too, and most of the reviewers offer friendly and helpful advice. Check out a friend of Belinda Automotive and future guest blogger, Cars of Glasgow, for detailed car reviews covering both brand new and used.

It's worth noting that, at this stage, you aren't committing to purchasing a car. So, if you feel pressured to make a decision before you've even had a test drive or time to think, just walk away.

Consider how you might purchase a car

I'll add the caveat that I'm not a financial advisor, so I can't tell you what the right method of purchase is. But, there are a number you can explore yourselves:

1. Purchasing outright

If you don't want the burden of paying monthly for your car on finance or salary sacrifice, you can consider purchasing the car outright. These may normally be done through private sellers or dealerships. When you plan to buy a car outright, you should expect to pay for your car in one lump sum (excluding MOT, tax and insurance which need to be purchased separately).

2. Finance agreement

PCPs (Personal Contract Purchase) allow you to pay monthly for your car with an optional payment at the end that allows you to completely own you car. You will need to be mindful that finance agreements often have APR (Annual Percentage Rates) attached to them, which is like an interest you would pay on top of your monthly payments.

PCHs (Personal Contract Hires) allow you to pay for a car on a hire agreement, meaning you are not paying towards the cost of ownership. These can sometimes be slightly cheaper than PCPs, but it's a similar debate to renting or house purchase. Are you happy to pay for the use of a car rather than own it?

3. Salary sacrifice

Some workplaces offer a salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to pay through your salary for a vehicle. This can sometimes be a cheaper way of accessing a vehicle, but it's worth noting that the terms are linked to your employer and job. Not all workplaces offer this perk either, but it's always worth asking to help understand your best routes to purchase.

Take someone else with you when you visit or test drive

This might be a given, but taking someone with you that you trust can help gauge your real reaction to a car or vehicle. For example, when I purchased my first Yaris, I took my grandad with me to help me understand the buying process and what to look for in a car. He, in turn, gauged my reaction and helped me make a decision on whether to purchase or not.

Buying your first car can be daunting, and you can't always trust private buyers either, so a second pair of eyes and emotional support really helps keep you calm. Although we're experienced buyers now, we make an event out of going to visit or test drive a car we like. It can be a really enjoyable and fun experience, particularly when you confirm it's the right car for you.

You also don't have to buy the first car you see. You should purchase something you feel confident driving and that ticks all your must-have boxes. If it also ticks some of your live-withouts, you're onto a winner!

Want to follow along for more car reviews, or just have someone to bounce ideas off?

I get a lot of messages from followers asking my opinions and thoughts on cars and purchases, so I'm more than happy to help you too. Sometimes, we all just need someone else to bounce an idea off. As a bonus, I also review cars from time-to-time, and am always open to requests. If there's something you want to see, just pop me a message!

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