How do I find the right car for my needs?

Each of us would like to drive a red Ferrari and feel the wind in our hair. But if I have a limited budget and a family of five members, this is definitely not a good choice. Which car you buy depends on your needs and requirements.

There are many questions that need to be answered when you are planning to buy a new or used car. VINCheckExpert will help you make the right choice and find the vehicle you need with the help of our guide.

What is my budget?

Since the Phoenicians invented money, one of the most important questions is how much money we have if we want to buy anything, including a car. Money is always a limiting factor.

In addition to the costs of buying a car, additional costs related to the purchase should also be taken into account: contract, notary, fees, taxes, registration, insurance. In addition to these costs, annual maintenance costs should also be considered. Buying a cheap older car that has expensive maintenance is definitely not the best option.

There are several options available to you when it comes to buying a car:

• Cash
• Credit
• Leasing
• Long-term vehicle rental
• Exchange old for new
• Loan from relatives and friends

Certainly the best option is to buy a vehicle for cash. This gives you the ability to get a better price, as you must have heard the saying “cash is king”. However, if the car is more expensive or you don't have enough cash, you should consider other vehicle financing options.

What are my needs?

When choosing a car, an important question is whether you live alone as a couple or have a large family, as well as what your needs are. If you drive alone and use the vehicle in the city or just to work, micro, small or compact cars can be a good choice.

If you have several family members and are planning long trips by car, a sedan, station wagon or SUV is definitely a better option. If you already own a car and want to buy another one, you need to know exactly what purpose you will use that vehicle for.

Which body type should I choose?

Car body refers to the external appearance and shape. Car manufacturers today offer a large number of different models, shapes and sizes of car bodies on the market, in order to satisfy different target customer segments.

Sedan/Limousine is a car that has four doors, a separate trunk in the back and an engine in the front. It is designed to transport four to five passengers. Sedans were very popular, but today, due to the offer of different shapes and models, their sales are declining. These cars are perfect for families and business people. Some of the most popular sedans in Europe are Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Mercedes E-Class, Skoda Octavia, VW Passat.

Hatchback/compact vehicle was created as a combination of a sedan and a coupe. Instead of a classic trunk, they have a so-called third or fifth door that is attached to the body, dominated by a large rear window. They do not have a solid separation between the trunk and the passenger compartment. Hatchbacks are smaller cars and are very popular for commuting to work, but also for longer family trips. The most popular hatchback in Europe is the Volkswagen Golf.

Crossovers are probably the most popular types of cars today. They were created by combining different body shapes and are characterized by comfort and efficiency. They have a higher seating position than sedans, a larger cabin and trunk, and front or all 4-wheel drive. Their popularity began in the 1990s when Toyota introduced the RAV4, and today it is one of the most popular crossovers. They are aimed at different groups of people and are equally popular with singles, couples, families, seniors and business travellers.

SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) are based on the chassis of a pickup truck. They are often referred to as "built-up crossovers", as they offer much greater durability and capabilities on a variety of rough terrains. They are characterized by greater ground clearance, more horsepower, 4-wheel drive, and the ability to tow larger loads. They are very popular among different groups of customers. They are equally loved by family people and business people, as well as by drivers looking for off-road adventures.

Station wagon was created on the basis of a limousine by extending the trunk and increasing its height. The main feature is a large trunk behind the back bench. It has windows in the rear and often there are additional folding seats for two more passengers. Caravans are classic family cars or intended for people who need a large trunk.

MiniVan is a car body type characterized by a high roof, low floor and sliding side doors for rear passenger entry. They usually have two or three rows of seats and are designed to carry a large number of passengers. They are intended for large families, business people and people who need a large cargo space to transport various goods.

Vans are characterized by a cabin with one or two rows of seats, which is separated from the open cargo space, whose trunk height is half the height of the cabin. These vehicles have more horsepower and can carry or tow more cargo. They are very popular in America and are intended for people who need to transport or tow larger loads, especially on uneven terrain.

Coupe is the name for a car that has two doors and a hard top. Coupes usually have two seats, but there are models that have a small back bench for two more people. These cars focus on the driver and are intended for one person. They are very popular among business people. Today, there are deviations from the rule that they are two-door cars, so there are car models that carry the coupe label and have four or five doors, such as the Mercedes-Benz GLE coupe.

Cabriolet is the name for a car that has two doors, is intended for the transport of one or two passengers and has a movable soft top. The back bench is small and can accommodate two more passengers. The lowered roof takes up space in the trunk, so convertibles are not particularly practical. They are intended for singles or couples who enjoy life and are looking for fun.

Sports cars are intended for people who are excited by high speed and need extra adrenaline. The first sports car was the Mercedes Simplex from 1903. Today's sports cars have a light, aerodynamic body and drive most often on the rear wheels. These cars are popular among fans of speed and excitement. Since there is not much space, they are ideal for single people, and because of the price, they are mostly bought by rich people, so they have become a symbol of prestige and luxury.

How much luggage do I need?

A question that is closely related to the body type is the size of the trunk. If you plan frequent trips with your family or need to transport different goods or often make large purchases outside the city, you definitely need a car with a larger trunk, so station wagons and SUVs are ideal choices.

For daily trips to work or the city, for some regular activities you have, it is enough to have a smaller car with a smaller trunk. This car can also be the second car in the family, which you will use exclusively for personal purposes.

Which type of engine should I choose?

There are many different types of motors on the market. Which type of engine is suitable for you depends on the route and driving behavior. At your disposal are:

• Petrol
• Diesel
• Electric
• Hybrid engine

The gasoline engine is suitable for drivers who drive fewer kilometers and have short distances and travel routes. Gasoline engines consume more than diesel, but the prices of gasoline and diesel vary by country. In some European countries, gasoline is cheaper than diesel, while in others, gasoline is more expensive than diesel. Gasoline engines are not economical consumers in the city and at low speeds and require more frequent maintenance.

A car with a diesel engine is more suitable for drivers who travel longer, often drive on the highway and cover long distances every day. Maintenance of a car with a diesel engine is more expensive, but the fuel consumption is lower compared to gasoline engines. They are more economical in the city, and they can also tow a bigger load. However, diesel engines pollute the environment and are threatened with shutdown from 2035.

For now, electric and hybrid engines are intended for drivers who travel shorter distances. The reason for this is that cars with these engines can cover much fewer kilometers when the battery is full than can cars with gasoline and diesel engines with a full tank. The existing infrastructure, i.e. the network of chargers for charging electric vehicles is still not sufficiently developed in most European countries, but it is constantly being improved and improved. If you are concerned about the problems of environmental pollution and are looking for environmentally friendly solutions, this is certainly a good choice for you.

Which type of gearbox should I choose?

The choice of transmission type depends on your preferences as a driver. Maintenance of a vehicle with a manual transmission is cheaper, and the fuel consumption of a car with a manual transmission is lower. If gasoline and maintenance costs are important to you, choosing a car with a manual transmission is definitely a good option.

If you want driving comfort, especially in city traffic jams, and if changing gears is tiring for you, an automatic transmission is the right choice. However, the costs of maintaining an automatic transmission are much higher, and the malfunctions that can occur are very serious. Checking the automatic transmission is an important issue when buying a used car.

What type of equipment is adequate?

The equipment level of the car can significantly increase the price of the vehicle. So when choosing a vehicle, you should take into account the equipment of the car and how it will fit into your budget. There is no need to skimp on equipment related to the safety and security of the vehicle.

The level of equipment of the car affects its price and when you intend to sell the vehicle. The higher the equipment level, the higher the price. Certainly, a car that does not have air conditioning, navigation, electric windows, will have a lower selling price.

Dilemma: Should I buy a new or used car?

One of the most important questions when choosing a car is whether to buy a new or used vehicle. You have heard the saying that "there is no better car than a new car". However, buying both new and used cars has both advantages and disadvantages.

The smell of a new car is what every driver who had the opportunity to buy a new car remembers forever. If you are buying a new car, you do not need any inspection. You get a manufacturer's warranty, you are sure that the mileage is realistic, that the car has not had an accident or damage.

You have a large choice in terms of color and equipment, but new cars are usually more expensive, you will often have to wait a long time for delivery because they are not immediately available and lose value very quickly. New cars lose up to 30% of their value as soon as they leave the showroom.

On the other hand, if you are buying used cars for the same budget that you plan to buy a new car, you can buy a used car that is a few years old in a higher class and with a much better level of equipment. Used cars are cheaper and readily available, but you have a limited choice of equipment, engine and color. The biggest problem is that you are not sure of the condition of the car you intend to buy.

Not sure if the mileage is real or corrected. You don't know if the car had accidents and some major damage, if all the services were done on time. To get this information, the best way is to ask the seller for the vehicle identification number (VIN number) and to check the used car vehicle history.

How do I get a used vehicle history report?

All you need is to enter the VIN number in the search field on the website www.vincheckexpert.com and check the chassis number for free. Every car, new or used, has a unique 17-character identification number that contains all the vehicle's information.

Once you have the basic information about the vehicle, you can create a detailed VINCheckExpert report in which you will receive data related to actual or returned mileage, accidents and damage to the vehicle, manufacturing defects and safety recalls, service history, legality of the vehicle and current market value.

Our report gives you security in your purchase and gives you the opportunity to discover the true history of the used vehicle and find out information that the seller is hiding or even he doesn't know. So save on buying a used vehicle and avoid expensive unplanned repairs.

How to create a used vehicle history report by chassis number (VIN)?

All you need to do is enter the 17-digit VIN number in the "Enter VIN" field and click the Search button. After a few seconds, VIN Decoder will provide a free VIN check and some basic information. This info should be enough to check whether the VIN is valid or not.

To create a complete report about the vehicle, such as mileage records, odometer fraud, estimate mileage, accidents and damages, theft check, market value, and previous images, you should download a VinCheckExpert vehicle history report.

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