Planning on buying a fun car? Here are a few buying tips

Planning on buying a fun car? Here are a few buying tips

Buying a fun car can be an enthusiast’s favorite activity, but it’s also important to put a plan in place that best fits your family’s situation and budget. Below are a few buying tips from HendrickCars.com for those specifically seeking a fun and exhilarating vehicle to own.

SET A BUDGET: Determine how much you are willing to spend on a fun vehicle. Remember to include not only the purchase price, but ongoing costs like insurance, maintenance and fuel. Also note, if you are planning on taking out a loan, consult with a financial institution to understand all of your options.

IDENTIFY YOUR DESIRES: Consider your driving habits, lifestyle and intended use of the vehicle. Are you looking for a “fun” daily, a weekend toy, or a track-focused sports car? If you are looking for an off-road vehicle, what types of terrain do you want to tackle? Narrowing down your needs will help immensely in your search.

 
RESEARCH PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS: If you are looking for a terrific driving experience, search for vehicles with performance, handling and acceleration. For instance, a car’s power-to-weight ratio may be more important to you than its raw horsepower. What about its torque, 0-60 mph time? For off-roaders, what’s the vehicles ground clearance? Does it have a crawl feature? Make sure you cover every aspect of what you are looking for during your search.

CONSIDER DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARS: It sounds obvious, but fun cars come in many different flavors. Variety is the spice of life and if you are an enthusiast, its “fun” to think about all the sports cars, hot hatches, roadsters or performance-sedans that are available to explore. Don’t be afraid to look at different areas of the hobby.

TEST DRIVE: If you are an enthusiast, test-driving to find your next vehicles can be extremely fun. However, don’t lose sight of the reasons for the test drive as it is important to get a feel for driving dynamics, comfort and the overall experience.

RELIABILITY & MAINTENANCE: Fun cars are often synonymous with high-performance machines, which may inherently have higher maintenance and repair costs. Research your target vehicle’s reliability and overall availability of parts and labor. If you need advice, we would suggest contacting a Hendrick Automotive Group service advisor at this link.

NEW vs. PRE-OWNED: Consider whether you want to buy a new or pre-owned model that may be more budget friendly. Many fun cars hold their value, so a pre-owned version may be a good option for you.

ENTHUSIAST COMMUNITIES: If you have a favorite enthusiast car, there’s a forum out there for you. Engaging with like-minded enthusiasts can also provide valuable insights as you move along in your search.

CUSTOM OPTIONS: One way enthusiasts enjoy their vehicles is through aftermarket customization. Whether it’s to enhance the vehicle’s aesthetic look or to upgrade the driving experience, researching the best options available is an important step in this process. Be sure to vet the suppliers as well, as compromised products can damage your vehicle.

CONSIDER RESALE VALUE: While you are excited about looking forward and your next purchase, it’s also a good practice to research the resale value of the vehicle you intend to purchase. Some models hold their value and even considered collectable down the road.

Happy Driving!