Whether you’re buying a Cadillac, a Mercedes, or something in between, there’s nothing quite like buying a luxury car. Before you plunk money down on the luxury car of your dreams, there are important questions you need to ask:
What are the particulars on fluids and fuel?
If you’re buying a second-hand luxury car, you may encounter sellers who assure you that you can fill the car with regular gas or that you can skip some regular maintenance steps. You want to avoid sellers like this. Almost $60 billion in vehicle maintenance goes unperformed annually, and the best authority for what kind of fuel and maintenance your needs is the owner’s manual.
Your manual will give you all the information you need on fluid types, maintenance schedules, and what kind of gas to use. Following the manual’s instructions will ensure your car continues to run smoothly and keeps your car’s warranty in good standing.
What Does Insurance Cost?
Remember that many factors determine how much a vehicle owner pays for insurance. The vehicle a person drives is just one factor. Combined with other factors, the insurance on a luxury vehicle may be a little higher than other vehicles. In some cases, insurance costs aren’t that much higher than common cars, but the deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage are higher. One of the best things you can do is do your homework and shop around for insurance.
Is This What I Want?
Surveys indicate that more than 40% of buyers never thought they would regret their purchase, but they end up regretting it later. Another 30% were neutral about buying and regretted their choice later. What does that mean for you? It means if you have your eye on a luxury car, make sure it’s something you want, not something you’ll regret down the road. If cost is a factor, consider waiting until you’ve saved some more money. If a local dealership doesn’t have the car you want, shop around or wait until that dealership has what you’re looking for. Luxury vehicles require an investment of money and time, and you want to be sure you can invest both of those things before you buy.
What Do High-End Features Cost?
Most luxury cars come with many high-end features, such as multi-camera parking systems, sunroofs, and performance lighting. Millions of drivers love these features, but they can also lead to costly repairs as your vehicle ages. If you buy a luxury car, consider getting extended warranty coverage for those features if it fits into your budget.
What Are the Safety Features?
Every year, more than a million drivers around the world die in road crashes, and millions more sustain injuries or permanent disabilities. What that means for you, the driver of a luxury car, is that you need to be aware of the safety features of your vehicle. You need to know what tires your car needs and how they handle on the road, you need to know the proper way to handle the car in less than ideal weather conditions. If you’re at the dealership, it’s a good idea to ask about safety features and familiarize yourself with all of them. The more you know, the safer you can be on the road.
Hitting the open in a luxury car can be quite the experience. If you’re planning on buying such a car, asking the right questions upfront can save you a lot of misery down the road. It will also make you more knowledgeable about your car, so that you enjoy it and maintain it properly for many years.
