Whether you are a high school or college grad, buying your first car can be exciting but rather stressful. Your options often seem infinite, and those high price tags can be discouraging.

However, it’s not as tricky as it seems. All you need is to have the correct information to find an affordable, safe, efficient, and reliable car. Here, we’ll discuss the top 10 things to consider when buying your first car.

1. Budget

Before purchasing a vehicle, it’s essential to understand your budget limits. Doing so will help you determine which car type and model you can afford. Think about how much down payment you can make and whether or not you can afford the monthly payment.

If you’ve saved enough money for the car, you can proceed to buy it with cash. However, in most cases, the hefty car price requires you to leverage car loans or financing. Ensure you research the available auto loans to see if you qualify. If you purchase a vehicle with Carvana, we provide tools to help navigate the world of financing.

Our Auto Loan Calculator can be a game changer for folks who are looking to get an initial grasp on what works best for them in terms of financing. Simply enter the cost of the car you want, your credit score, desired loan term and down payment amount. From there, you receive your personalized loan terms. Getting pre-qualified through Carvana does not have any impact on your credit score, and a formal credit inquiry will be submitted once you schedule a delivery or pickup.

Most importantly, make sure you choose a car you can afford to pay the initial cost and settle other expenses like car insurance, fuel, maintenance, etc.

2. Transportation Needs

You may want to buy a luxury car to enjoy the premium features like leather seats, high-end stereo, power, etc. But maybe that isn’t realistic. It’s important to evaluate what you need instead of what you want.

If your workplace or college requires long commutes, buying a car with excellent fuel efficiency can be a worthy investment. Hybrid cars can save you on gas, but their prices are much higher than gasoline-powered ones. Smaller vehicles can be an excellent option for graduates.

So you must be very careful in evaluating your needs and overall lifestyle and make a wise choice.

3. Research on Cars

It’s vital to know what cars you may like before setting out to purchase. You need to prepare adequately as salespeople at traditional dealerships are often persuasive, and they’ll convince you to buy a car you had no plans for.

Fortunately, there are many resources you can use to find valuable information about any car type and model you like. For example, U.S. News Best Cars can provide you with information on the best used cars. Besides that, Autotrader can be a great resource to find information on new and used vehicles available in your area by price, model, make, style, etc.

Since you already know what you can afford, you’ll want to find a car that will offer the features you wish it to have.

4. Compare Prices

As you research, try to compare car prices listed by different dealerships to find one with the best deal. Alternatively, you can use online tools like Kelley Blue Book to understand car invoices and deal pricing. This resource will help you know how much other people have paid for the same car. The car’s site can also be a great place to determine its MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price). You’ll also know the price range the car costs at the dealership.

5. Convenient Dealer

Like any other valuable property dealer, there’s a chance you can get scammed. That’s a bad experience, especially if you’re a newbie. The best way to ensure you don’t fall victim is to find a convenient car dealer by doing your research.

Make sure you check their website for customer reviews and that they have licenses and certificates of operation. This will help you avoid having a bad experience with your purchase.

Also, be careful about the salesperson who approaches you in the showrooms. Avoid dealerships where two-thirds of their salespersons often sit or stand at the entrance gates.

6. Car’s History

You don’t want to buy your high school or college grad a car that has a history of an accident or other damage or that was involved in some kind of crime like a hit and run or something else. A dealership may be reputable and have good reviews, but it always doesn’t mean the car has no issues.

Therefore, you should dig deeper into a car’s history, especially if it’s a used car. CarFax is one of the services that can provide you with a car’s history from the time it was first sold (Carvana offers a free CarFax report on vehicle in its inventory). You should also check its title online using the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

7. Test Drive

It’s not enough to settle on a car make and model that is right for you. In short, how will you know the car has the features and performance it claims to have on the website? Whether done online or at a physical dealership, a test drive will give you a clue of how the car feels like and operates.

So ensure the dealership where you’re planning to buy the car offers a test drive opportunity or a “like it or return it” guarantee of some sort. That’s a perfect way to inspect the vehicle and see how it drives. They should even let you drive it home and try to park it in your garage or parking lot.

Ensure the car is working to your expectation. If you notice any squeaks, shimmies, or rattles that could frustrate you after the purchase, don’t buy it.

8. Get Repair Records

Apart from taking a test drive, checking the car’s repair history is essential, especially if it’s a used car. Doing so will give you an idea of the car’s status as you can know how many times the car got repaired. You can also try to predict whether the vehicle will require frequent and costly repairs in the future. Ensure the vehicle is a reliable one before making any decisions.

9. Car Inspection

You should tell the seller you need an inspection from a reputable mechanic before buying the car. This can help spot any problems with the car. The inspection cost may be around $100 or even more depending on the mechanic, but it is worth it because the inspection can save you from possible expensive repairs.

If the seller dismisses an inspection by a mechanic, don’t buy it. They may be covering up some serious problems with the car. So insist on a car inspection or else rethink your purchase. For peace of mind, every Carvana Certified vehicle we sell has passed a rigorous 150-point inspection, so you can be sure you’re purchasing a high quality car.

10. User Rights

Whether a new or used car, users must take time to understand the warranty package and return terms and conditions. Should you supplement the warranty? Get to know the used-car lemon laws in your state before making a purchase. It’ll help protect you from getting stuck with an unreliable car or having to fork out money for expensive repairs.

Final Thoughts

Shopping for a used car for a high school or college grad can be somewhat scary. But with the proper research, information, and preparation, the process will be more straightforward. Be sure to consider the above considerations to get the best car for your needs and an excellent buying experience.