First Car Guide for First Time Car Buyers

Better to Buy Pre-Owned Car, or New Car?

First time car buyers have a choice of buying a brand new car, or buying a used car. Which is better?

There are advantages and disadvantages to either choice. Most people would rather have a brand new car with it's new-car smell and latest style, but there are reasons that a new car might not be the best choice. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of buying new and buying used.

Advantages of Buying New

• You get a brand new car with new-car feel and smell
• You get the latest style and technology
• You get the latest safety equipment
• You get a full manufacturer's warranty
• You get Lemon Law protection
• You get lowest loan interest rates, if you qualify
• You get the option to lease
• You may get special manufacturer-sponsored pricing and financing

What car is best for a first car? 

What is the best first car for a teenager? There are literally thousands of combinations of different automobile types, makes, models, styles, and prices, which can make it difficult to choose. However, we will help you determine the perfect car for your needs.

What is a good first car?  Which car is the best buy? Which is more reliable? Which gets the best gas mileage? Should I buy a SUV or pickup? Which car is safer? Which is more economical? Which is cheaper to insure?

What car should I buy as my first car?

If you were to ask this question and you gave no other information about yourself or what you wanted, I would suggest you buy either a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, two of the most popular first cars in America.

However, if you already know you don't want a Honda or Toyota, stay with me. I'm not going to try to convince you that these are the only brands you should consider. I'm just using them as a starting point to help you choose the right car for you.

New Car, First Car

If you've decided that your first car will be a brand new car, there are things you need to know about the buying and financing process that makes it different from buying a used car.

New cars - only from dealers

All new cars must  be purchased from state-licensed and manufacturer-authorized new-car dealers. It's the law. If a car has never been titled or registered, it's considered to be a new car. Even if you initiate your purchase through an Internet car buying service, or through a buying service at warehouse stores such as Sam's Club, the car always comes from a new-car dealer.

New car pricing

New cars always have a sticker in the window (it's the law) showing the particulars about the vehicle, including estimated gas mileage, options, features, and MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price).

MSRP is the "retail" price that is almost always discounted, except for vehicles in short supply and high demand. New cars frequently have manufacturer-sponsored discounts, rebates and low-interest financing deals.  You can get online price quotes from services such as Yahoo! Autos . These prices are already discounted by local dealers.

Then there is "invoice price" which is the wholesale price dealers pay, and which you should know when buying a new car. See What to Pay for Your New Car for more details.

Is Cheap Car Insurance Possible?

Auto insurance is one of those irritating expenses of car ownership that has no immediately obvious benefit. We pay and pay, and may never get anything in return. Teenage first car buyers are always a bit startled by the high cost of insurance.

Car insurance is one of the most expensive costs of owning and driving a car, especially for teenagers and other new drivers who can least afford it. 

In this article we'll show you how and where to find the car insurance company for your first car that has the best rates and provides the best service.

Are certified used cars good deals or not for first car buyers?

Many car dealers sell "certified" pre-owned cars. How are these cars different from other used cars? Are they more expensive? Are they worth considering as a first car?

Most major automobile manufacturer's dealers now offer "certified" used cars. A certified car has been inspected and repaired according to detailed manufacturer specifications before being placed on a dealer's used car lot. Although manufacturer's programs vary in details, all are fundamentally the same in concept.

Why is it important? Certified cars can significantly reduce one of the largest worries of used car buyers: that used cars can have hidden problems that cause problems and expensive repairs after the sale.  

How Does Car Leasing Work?

Car leasing is extremely popular because it offers a more affordable method of auto financing. It allows you to have lower monthly payments than with traditional auto loans. About one out of every five vehicles driven by automotive consumers in the United States are leased.

But car leasing is not for everyone. Is leasing good for a teen's first car? What are the pros and cons of leasing?

Leasing is a little more complicated than buying with a loan, so you should take the time to learn about leasing, and be sure it's right for you before making a decision. Read on.