The Call Of The Road

The Bedroom Wall
For children – and especially boys – there comes a time when that glorious automobile on the bedroom poster must one day morph into the real thing. That real thing, sadly, is unlikely to have four exhaust pipes and a big wing; it is more likely to have a tiny engine and be about the size of a shoebox with about the same aerodynamic qualities. Yet in the eyes of that first car owner it will be as exciting as any supercar. It’s called the lure of the road.

The Plan
Before that great day comes however there has to be a certain amount of thought and careful planning. The poster might be the vision but the reality will be, erm, the reality. First of all, the money has to come from somewhere. What will it be? A new car or used one? That’s not as daft as it sounds. It is possible to buy a new car for £6000, which, by today’s standards, is not a fortune. Other decisions must be made: hatchback or saloon, diesel or petrol and so on. What will the car be for? Will there be long journeys or just local runs? This is all before any dealer is ever approached.

The Finance
Obviously the bank of Mum and Dad will always be the first port of call, but on the other hand there may be too many constraining conditions attached. Car loans usually come with a fixed rate of interest which allows a borrower to see what the payments will be each month. Crucially, the would-be buyer must make a precise calculation about how much can be spent every month on instalments and other expenses like insurance, maintenance and fuel.

The Test
Car websites have made it really easy for anyone to browse through models for comparison purposes. Nevertheless, it is still important to physically test a car before you purchase it. There are several ways to do it. You can ask other owners of the kind of car you are planning to buy, for example. Whatever, it is essential to utilise the free test drive opportunities offered by almost all companies and car dealers. In the case of a used car, get it checked over as well.

Head Over Heart
Buying that first car is a unique and unforgettable experience. When the great day arrives it will time to rejoice in that new found freedom, but only then. First time buyers need to always keep in mind that buying a car is not all about automotive lust. It involves a lot of calculation and research. If your calculations are wrong and you get it wrong there will be plenty of time for regret. Get it right and the lure of the road becomes a reality.