We’ve talked briefly about whether or not to buy a new car here, but what about the type of used (pre-owned in vehicle sales industry terminology) vehicle we buy? Does that matter—especially if there is enough in savings to buy it outright without leasing or making payments? Yes, it matters almost as much as the new vs. used question, and there are several reasons for that. In no particular order-

• Why do I need this particular car? In other words, what is your motivation for buying any specific vehicle? First and foremost, you have to question the reasons that you want to change vehicles. Is it to make yourself feel better about what you drive, or perhaps to impress someone? Are you merely trying to replace an unreliable vehicle? Have high payments been your primary concern and you’re just trying to lower the payment?
• Who will this vehicle glorify? Touchy subject—especially for guys—when it comes to vehicles, but a lot of buyers get in way over their heads just to be able to point to their respective vehicle and say, “Yeah mate, that’s mine.”
• Is something more affordable and suitable for your family’s needs available? If you can answer yes to both of these questions, then the vehicle you’re hoping to buy may not be the right one, no matter how great it looks or how great of a deal you can negotiate. Suitability and price should be key concerns, but there is nothing wrong with something that meets both of these needs and still looks good.
• If you are married… does your spouse agree with the purchase of a new or pre-owned vehicle? This is something important for you to agree upon, and if he/she doesn’t agree, talk to them about why. Are there concerns about payments or other things? Get to the bottom of this before you choose a vehicle, and pray for peace and unity.
• This does not mean that a potential buyer should walk onto a lot or search classified listings merely to find the cheapest thing available. Weigh the pros and cons before signing on the dotted line, and know what you’re getting into beforehand. First consider your Needs, then consider your Wants!

Here are some other things to consider when looking at vehicles:

• Price always matters. For instance, if you’ve saved $4,000 to buy a vehicle, but only spend $3,500, then you can put that $500 back into savings or into your family’s emergency fund. You could also use that extra bit to purchase necessities that pre-owned vehicles sometimes need, such as new tires.
• If you’re already making payments on a vehicle, sometimes trading it in does not pay it off, and you’ll still have to make payments on the remainder of the balance. This is especially true if the vehicle is brand new, when value depreciates quickly, and interest rates are high. Some dealerships tack the previous balance onto the new payment, meaning you could pay more even on the newer vehicle.
• Take a “time out” before finalising the deal.  At times we can get caught up in the moment… and a clever salesperson will know this and can use it to hasten your decisions.  After considering a particular purchase, take a time out and have a quick walk or go for a coffee.  This will break the cycle and allow you to think clearly.  Remember you only buy a car every now and again, whereas a good salesperson sells cars daily!
• Unless there’s something wrong with your current vehicle, think long and hard about replacing it. There are a lot of legitimate reasons to need a new (pre-owned) vehicle, but keeping up with the Jones’ isn’t one of them, no matter how great of a deal the vehicle seems like at the time.

Buying a vehicle doesn’t have to be your most confusing and frustrating chore, but you should definitely put a lot of time, prayer, and thought into it. Don’t just grab something that looks good and seems to fit your budget needs, or you might wind up with a lemon that costs you far more than you can afford.

I’ll leave you with an interesting quote from American stockcar racing legend Dale Earnhardt: “It’s a never ending battle…making your cars better and also trying to be better yourself.”

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