Sam Johnson 
If the time is approaching for you to buy a new car then you need to seize this opportunity with both hands. This is a chance to not simply replace your current model but improve on your current model (without spending a heap of money). The initial price you pay for a car is only the beginning of the costs that you’re going to face with that vehicle throughout its lifetime. If you want to be really financially-savvy then you need to factor in all the regular costs you’re going to face and the length of time for which you think you’ll own this car. Let’s go through the steps of making a smart car investment in 2018.
The initial purchase
First of all, you need to make sure you get a good deal on the initial purchase of the car you want. Perhaps you don’t have one particular model in mind; you might be weighing up the pros and cons of a few different cars from a few different manufacturers. This is a good position to hold when browsing the market because you want to keep your options open; it’s important to not be deceived by a pretty face. You need to think about what’s going on under the bonnet as well. It’s all about the specs. There’s no point paying slightly less for a car that isn’t economical because it’ll cost you more in the long-run. Also, don't remember about financing a car online as well.
You should also be weighing up whether you’re going to buy the car outright or lease it; if you intend to use the vehicle for many years then you might want to buy it, but if you think you’ll be upgrading again in 3 or 4 years then you could save a lot of money by simply leasing it for that amount of time. Another option is paying for your new car in monthly installments if you don’t have enough to pay for it upfront. There’s a great deal on the new Vauxhall Cascada Convertible with monthly payments of £428.89. There are tonnes of options on the internet if you want one of the latest cars on the market. It’s just about being smart enough to do your research and compare different deals out there.
The insurance
In terms of the insurance you pay for your vehicle, this all depends on your experience, age, and the car you’re driving. All these factors add up to create a picture of yourself to potential insurers. You need to do your research before buying a car so as to see whether it’ll be a wise decision in terms of insurance options. You might even want to look into getting extra qualifications on the road so as to better your chances of getting a cheaper quote from insurers.
The tax
As discussed earlier, specs are everything when it comes to buying a new car. You need to think about how economical a car is going to be before you buy it, but this isn’t the only thing you need to consider if you want to save money in the long run. When it comes to the amount of tax you pay on your car, this is often decided based on the impact your vehicle has on its surroundings. That’s why it’s smart to go for a newer vehicle with low emissions because the tax you pay will be far lower than it would be for some of the older vehicles on the market. Again, as explained throughout this article, newer doesn’t always mean “more expensive”; you’ve got to think about the costs that come with owning a car in the long-run.
