Is it time you traded your current car for another vehicle? Getting a new car can be exciting, but it can also be a lot of hassle. For this reason, some of us put off buying a new car until we have no choice. Below are just a few signs that now could be a good time to buy a new car.
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No Longer Practical
Your car is no longer practical for your needs.
Over time, our needs can change. You may start to realize that your current car is no longer practical. For example, a small car may be perfect for commuting alone in a city. But if you decide you want to go on a roadtrip, or decide you want to start a family, you may need a bigger car. Contrastingly, you may find that a large car becomes impractical when moving to a busy city where parking spaces are limited.
Lots of Miles and Issues
The car has done over 120,000 miles – and problems keep occurring.
Most cars have an average life of about 120,000 miles. It’s around this point that the wear and tear starts to become a problem and parts start to fail one by one. If your car has done roughly this amount of miles, and you’re starting to notice frequent problems, it could be time to get a new car before the repair costs start mounting up.
Repair Costs
The repair costs keep mounting up.
If you’ve already got to the stage where you’re constantly spending money on repairs, it could be worth making your escape now. It’s likely to be cheaper to cut your losses and buy a new car, than to keep pouring money into repairs on your current car. The odd car repair may be nothing to worry about. But lots of repairs in a short period (particularly expensive repairs) are not something you should put up with. This Washington Post guide explains more on when to repair your car and when to trade it in.
No Bond
You can’t seem to bond with your car.
After buying a new car, it may take a while to get used to the way it handles and operates. However, if after several months, you still find it awkward, difficult or boring to drive, it could be worth looking for a new car. Not everyone enjoys driving. However, you should at least feel comfortable in your car.
Afford New Car
You can afford a new car.
Before you think about buying a new car, it’s worth considering whether you can afford it. Assess your needs and then see if you can find any cars within your budget. Sites like Edmunds allow you to search listings by price and can even help you to calculate estimates on finance. Don’t try to buy a new car on finance if you’re already struggling to pay off previous loans.
Fallen Out of Love
You’ve fallen out of love with your car and yearn something new.
A car you once loved may one day start to feel unexciting. You may find yourself constantly yearning for a newer model with better gadgets. Or you might find yourself wanting a high performance car, or perhaps something a bit more quirky. Once this happens, it could be a good time to consider buying a new car.
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