3 important tips when you buy your first car

Buying a first car is a time we remember all our lives. The car is not necessarily new and it will probably have a lot of small glitches in its life, but it is probably the car that will score the most and the one that will be appreciated the most, despite its flaws. However, it is important to take some precautions to prevent our first car from turning into a nightmare. We must make sure that it is safe and that it does not become a source of debt that will prevent us from carrying out projects in the future about outdoor car cover.

Make sure the car is reliable

Generally, we do not have a huge budget when we buy our first car, and often consumers turn to the used car market. It’s a good idea, but remembers to inspect any vehicle we wish to purchase before signing the sales contract. In this way, we will avoid buying a vehicle that is in mechanical trouble and will cost us a lot later. Often, it pays to pay a little more for the purchase and save on maintenance and repair costs. “There are used vehicles that are reliable and safe, and they will be for a long time to come. But there are also models that are less, and often the first buyers skip the inspection stage, because they are too hurried. We have to be patient when we buy our first vehicle, “says a consultant at Erin Park Lexus.

Avoid getting too much debt

Yes, it is better to pay a little more for the purchase in order to obtain a better quality vehicle, but we must also remember that a car, regardless of the quality of the model, leads to additional costs related to gasoline, insurance, registrations and maintenance. We must carefully calculate its budget before buying our first vehicle, and leave about 50% of the amount we want to allocate towards the purchase of our vehicle aside to cover the excess expenses. Your first vehicle should not become a source of debt too heavy to bear.

Plan your needs

If you buy a first vehicle, chances are you’re young and your transportation needs will change over the next few years. It is important to choose a vehicle that will be able to evolve with our needs, because replacing your vehicle when its value is less than the amount of our loan is never recommended.

What is an auto demo and how to buy it?

The demo car (known as the popular language demo), is a well-known phenomenon in the automotive world, and it can be a great way for the consumer to save a few dollars while enjoying a high quality car.

What is a demo?

A demo, or demonstrator, is a vehicle used by a dealer’s staff to become familiar with the capabilities and technicalities of a car. The vehicle is often the most equipped in the range, and is also used for road tests when a consumer wants to buy this type of model. The demo will have a few miles on the counter at the time of resale, but will never exceed 10,000 kilometers. Because it is a sales tool, it is constantly clean and well maintained, will have only one true owner and will be closely monitored.

How to buy a demo?

Just ask … or almost. Because the demonstration cars only have a lifespan of 10 000 kilometers at most, often a maximum of a few weeks, they are often put on sale quickly. The dealer will use the car for a specific promotion, or highlight it. But sometimes, just ask the representative if a demo is available!

Why buy a demo?

Some people are worried about buying a demo car. Technically, there is no risk since the vehicle is still considered new, having never been officially registered. It benefits from all the protections included with the purchase of a new vehicle. The main advantage, however, remains the purchase price, which is often lower. In fact, the demo will often sell several hundred dollars less, and will be offered almost at the price of a mid-range version while having all the equipment more sophisticated.

Hyundai Santa Cruz: it will be assembled in the United States

Adding a light van to the Hyundai lineup has been an open secret since the automaker unveiled the Santa Cruz prototype in 2015 at the Detroit Auto Show. The Automotive News site learned earlier this week that the more leisure-oriented van – a bit like the Honda Ridgeline for example – should be assembled in the United States. That’s what Michael O’Brien, vice president of digital, corporate and product planning for the builder’s US wing, said in an interview with Automotive News.

The main interested party did not want to make waves by stating that the production of this highly anticipated model should be provided by a US factory, especially taking into account the policy of President Trump to impose a rate of 25% on vans imported. And as Hyundai’s head says, the majority of vehicles will be sold in the US anyway. Michael O’Brien also reiterated that the vehicle would be very versatile and had the potential to create a whole new category of buyers. Recall that the prototype shown in 2015 was equipped with a 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine, a power train that should not be offered at home, in principle at least.

Like the other mid-size vans available on the market today, the future Hyundai Santa Cruz – if it still retains this name of course – would be more for an audience interested in the fun side of the vehicle (for expeditions away from the city), rather than its utilitarian appearance for work as is the case with full-size vans. One thing is certain: this future “pickup” is still much talk and with the outbreak of this category of vehicles, Hyundai certainly risk hitting another home run.

Toyota plant in Alabama to assemble a new SUV

Toyota announced earlier this week that it is changing the role of the joint-owned plant with Mazda partner in the state of Alabama. The establishment, which should be completed in 2021, was supposed to be the place where the Corolla was to be assembled, but the excessive popularity of the commercial vehicles seems to have forced the hand of the leaders of the brand. In fact, the Huntsville, Alabama plant will be welcoming a brand new Toyota-style utility model, starting in 2021. The Mississippi plant that produces the Corolla seems to will remain unchanged. For now, it’s too early to know more about this new model that will join the C-HR, 4Runner, Highlander, RAV4 and Sequoia of this world. Except that the enthusiasm of the public since the presentation of the prototype FT-4X, shown for the first time at the New York Motor Show in 2017, points to the approval in series of the nice SUV with a robust look.

At the time of writing, the only SUVs with a more “robust” silhouette within the brand’s lineup are the good old 4Runner, the rare Sequoia and the Trail edition of the RAV4. Admittedly, the addition of a small SUV with such a build would be welcome at Toyota. Especially since the current trend is for SUV looking a little more aggressive like the Jeep Wrangler for example.