How to Find Your Perfect Car

Toyota Supra
TGR Staff


The vehicle that you drive says a lot about you, which if you are a car enthusiast, you will be only too aware of. Everyone wants to be sat in the driving seat of a car that they can feel proud to own, but sometimes you may fall short of getting the vehicle of your dreams. If you live and breathe all things auto, you probably spend a lot of your time either looking at cars, thinking about them, or talking about them. If you have decided now is the right time for you to say goodbye to your current vehicle and to invest in a new set of wheels, you may feel overwhelmed by the choice of cars out there. When you spend so much of your life thinking about cars, it can be difficult to decide on one make and model. Feeling indecisive can mean that it takes ages for you to finally settle on a vehicle. Check out this handy guide to helping you beat indecision and find your perfect car:



What is a Perfect Vehicle?


A perfect vehicle to you may be another car driver’s worse nightmare. That’s the great thing about cars; there are so many to choose from to match a wide range of tastes. But, as well as considering the look of your perfect vehicle, you need to think about some of the practicalities. A perfect car may look perfect, but there is a difference between looking perfect and being the ideal option for you. Basically, the factors that make a car your perfect vehicle are about more than just looks. You need to be able to enjoy driving it, and it needs to suit your lifestyle.


With so many different car manufacturers, brands, and dealerships to choose from, it can be very difficult to narrow down your options. Searching for a new car this year may take some consideration, but it will ultimately help you to find a more reliable source of transportation. Whether you’re looking for an everyday family car or a trustworthy ride to get you to work every single day, Ford Cars are a number one choice for regular drivers. Buying a new car will always give you peace of mind as there will be fewer faults to deal with. There are just a few of the considerations you need to make when searching for a brand new vehicle.


Decide on Your Budget


It’s time to get the boring one out of the way first and talk about your budget. Deciding on a budget before you go car shopping is essential, especially if you have a passion for cars. Your car buying decision needs to be made with the head and some of your heart, but not all of it. Without deciding on your budget before you search for a vehicle, you put yourself at risk of choosing a car that becomes a financial burden. Sure, your new wheels may look nice, but if you have to work every hour to pay for them, you will not spend much time driving. 


As well as thinking about how much you are willing and able to pay for your new vehicle, you will also need to think about the running costs. If you can scrape together the money to buy the car but then find it too expensive to run, you won’t get that much enjoyment from your vehicle.


If your budget is stopping you from finding your dream car, don’t despair. Maybe you could buy an older model of the vehicle that you love instead. To stop yourself from falling hopelessly in love with a car that is out of your price range, you could focus your search specifically on your budget. This will help to avoid the disappointment of finding your perfect car and then discovering it is too expensive.


VW Golf GTI


Consider the Size


Another practical point to consider is the size of your new vehicle. If you have kids or dogs, you will need a big enough car to accommodate them all, or at least another vehicle that you can use for your family road trips. That sporty two-seater may be your ideal option, but the kids won’t be too happy if there’s nowhere for them to sit!


Don’t forget to think about the amount of space that you are going to need inside the car too. Do you need a seven-seater for your growing family, or perhaps a truck that is big enough for your fishing gear; there are many things to consider when thinking about vehicle size.


Choose an Engine Type


Do you love the growl of a powerful engine, or are you looking for an impressive yet silent vehicle? With electric vehicles becoming increasingly mainstream, thinking about which type of engine you want for your car is an essential consideration.


If living an eco-friendly lifestyle matters to you, then an electric vehicle could be your best option. You will then need to weigh up whether you would be best suited to a hybrid or a fully electric model. If you choose electric, don’t forget to make sure that it will be a practical option for you. It is helpful to calculate how much travel you will be doing and check that the vehicle will be able to cover this between charges.


Pick Your Features


Are there some features in a car that you simply cannot live without? Maybe you cannot imagine driving without your trusty cup holder, or perhaps heated seats are a must. Deciding which features and extras you need in your life will help you to refine your search that bit further. While these little extras may not be the most critical things in the world, there is no doubt that they can make spending time in your car a much more pleasurable experience.


Alfa Romeo

New or Used?


The decision to buy a new vehicle or a used car is a personal one. Some people love that fresh car smell and driving a car that no one else has ever owned. But, for other people, the money that they could lose in depreciation makes buying a new vehicle a big no-no.


Your budget is likely to be the most significant factor determining whether you buy used or new. Don’t forget that you may be able to afford to get a car with far more features and a higher spec if you buy a used vehicle. But, when you buy used, you won’t get the same warranty and guarantees that come with a new car. 


Make it Yourself


If you cannot find your perfect car, you can always make it yourself. Buying a model of car that you love but then customizing it to match your exact requirements can be a smart move. When you customize a vehicle, you get to make it entirely personal to your tastes, which gives you a completely unique car. There are absolutely loads of ways to modify your new vehicle to suit your tastes, from buying Bolt-on Turbo kits to getting it resprayed to change its appearance; the possibilities are endless.


One of the best parts of customizing your vehicle is that it becomes a labor of love. If you are searching for a new interest to keep you busy, then customizing your new car to create your perfect vehicle is the way to go.


The Non-Negotiables


Whether you are looking for a car that you can customize to create your dream vehicle or you plan to buy new, it is always helpful to decide on your non-negotiables first. 


Creating a list of vehicle specifications and features that you will not compromise on is vital to ensure that you choose a car that matches your needs. Your list could include factors such as your preferred transmission type, engine size, and control panel features. Creating a list of non-negotiables and sticking with them during your car search will help to prevent you from making the wrong choice that you later regret. Instead, it will help you to choose a vehicle confidently and to drive away happy in your dream car.