6 Tips To Help You Find And Buy The Right Car For Your Needs

Why is owning a car so important? For one thing, if you need to travel long distances, a car is a pretty necessary option. Plus, it can do many other things for you, such as carry your passengers, transport cargo, get you to/from work, help with taking kids to school and lessons, and the like.

That being said, as important as it is to have a car, it’s also important to pick the right one for your needs. But with so many great vehicles to choose from, how do you narrow down your options? Today on the Kentville Toyota blog, we’re sharing some helpful tips you can follow to ensure you find the best Toyota vehicle to meet the requirements of your day-to-day.
 
1. Know What You Want And Need

You might be asking yourself, "What's the difference between what I want and what I need?" Well, the answer is that they are not always the same. Say that what you want is a luxury car (don’t we all!), but what you need is a vehicle that is comfortable and lets you get the job done.

So, know first what your needs are and ensure they can be met by the vehicles you’re browsing. This can include anything from needing a car to transport lots of goods and needing plenty of cargo space or a car that can be easily used in the city. After that is a good time to consider your wants while being realistic about your budget, which we will talk about.
 
2. Know Your Budget

Before you even shop, it’s pretty vital to determine your budget. This can be a challenge to some people, especially those who don't know exactly how much they need to pay for a car. A simple method for determining your budget is to decide on how much you want to pay for a vehicle and then add about 20 percent of it.

It’s a rough estimate but typically will give you an idea of your total costs associated with purchasing a new vehicle, including maintenance, insurance, and fuel. Now divide that number by the length of your loan term (36, 48, or 60 months) for a monthly total. Does this number look achievable with your current budget? If so, then you’re in the right range! If not, then you may need to lower the cost of the cars you are looking at.

3. Know What You're Buying if You Opt for Pre-Owned

You shouldn’t buy a car if you don't know exactly what you are getting. For example, if you're planning to buy a used car, you need to know the make and model, the mileage, the previous owners, and any notable history of the car. Even if you have the seller's name, you can still check to verify the information he or she has given you.

It is best to have a trustworthy service department (ahem, like the one here at Kentville Toyota) have a look at it and find out if everything is working properly. If you’re purchasing a used car from a dealership like ours, you won’t need to worry as we do all of the background work for you and guarantee top quality on all of our used cars.

4. Know Your Options

There are so many choices out there and our team is here to help you pick the right car. Pickup trucks, sedans, hatchbacks, hybrids, SUVs, crossovers, used cars, brand-new, pre-order - let’s talk about what’s best for you!

5. Know Your Preferences For Different Cars

Now, it's time to think about what you want in a car. Does tech matter to you? More driver-assist features to take the load off your daily commute? Sleek styling, inside and out? Upgraded off-roading capabilities? Try to think about how you use your car day in and day out and imagine which features would make your life easier or just a little more fun.

6. Know Your Local Area

This tip may seem silly to some people, but it is important to think about how your vehicle will match your surroundings. Here on the East Coast, you might consider All-Wheel Drive to be a must or be particularly interested in a hybrid or battery-electric vehicle. Maybe you head into the mountains for a lot of dirt biking and ATV riding, in which case something with some towing power is essential. Our team can help you narrow down the Toyota vehicles that will meet your lifestyle here in beautiful Nova Scotia.

Find the Right Car for You at Kentville Toyota

Now that you have the right knowledge and tips, it should hopefully be easier to narrow down your choices to a few vehicles that will truly meet your needs.

Kentville Toyota is a Toyota dealership in Nova Scotia, offering incredible services to meet the specific needs of every customer. If you're looking to purchase a new pickup truck, car, Toyota SUV, or more, visit our dealership or start browsing online to see what we have for you!