There are few joys in life sweeter than the joy of buying a new car. But it can’t be denied that a new car day is often an incredibly expensive day. Unless you’re exceptionally wealthy, upgrading your car for a newer or better model is not a decision made lightly. It’s one that requires a great deal of care and consideration. With that in mind, how exactly can you know when it’s time to upgrade your car? What are some things you should keep an eye on and when might it be a better idea to stick with the devil you know?
Is it Costing You More to Fix on a Regular Basis?
This should be simple mathematics. If your car is worth £1000 but it’s going to cost £1500 to fix then you’re better off cutting your losses and selling it for scrap. If something major has gone it’s also quite likely that something else important is going to go soon too. If your car is becoming something of a money pit then don’t sink more money into it. Move on!
Does It not Suit Your Lifestyle Anymore?
People change and our lives change. Our cars, sadly, do not. When you outgrow clothes you either pass them to someone else or sell them and the same should be true of a car. Perhaps you have added a couple of kids and a dog to your brood and you need something bigger? Or maybe you have a job now that requires a longer commute and you’d prefer a car that’s more economical on the wallet and on the environment?
Do You Feel Safe in It?
Now this one is a big deal. If you have bits of tape holding it together, the rear light is falling off and there are dents and scrapes all over the bonnet then you might not feel particularly safe in your own vehicle anymore. Also, car safety has improved dramatically in recent years.
Insurance Costs are Skyrocketing
Older cars cost a lot more to insure because they are more likely to break down. If your insurance costs seem a little more drastic than you’d like, upgrade your car to a newer car could be a great way to bring them down.
Technology is Your Friend
It’s true that you’re probably not going to be able to afford a brand new Tesla but the kind of technology that informs those great tech toys is just as likely to be found these days at a Nissan dealer in Northern Ireland than at a Tesla dealer in California. Particularly with affordable electric cars such as the Nissan Leaf now on the market, the automobile tech boom doesn’t need to pass you by just because you’re not on £100,000 a year.