Buying your first car is an exciting time, which most Australians will experience at some point in their lives. It can also be a bit nerve-wracking as you navigate a seemingly endless range of models, prices, and deals. However, if you’re buying a Suzuki, the excitement will surely outweigh the nerves. Here are some important things to remember when taking the plunge and purchasing – yes, being an adult comes with certain responsibilities.

Budget

We’ve all heard the saying: money doesn’t grow on trees – if only it did, though. Budgeting is an important factor when purchasing your first car, and working out what you can afford is vital. Buying a Ferrari or a Lamborghini would sure have its perks, but could you imagine parking it at a shopping centre and getting it wrong? It doesn’t matter whether you’re buying the car with your own money, getting help from your parents, or using financing, budgeting is important so you don’t get stuck with a shiny new car but lots of unwanted debt.

At Suzuki, we have great cars at great value – exceptional value, actually. The legendary Suzuki range are all easy to drive, reliable and are fitted with Apple Carplay and Android Auto so you don’t have to look at your phone when you shouldn’t. Plus you’ll be able to crank up the volume while you stream your Spotify playlist so no one else has to listen to your singing from outside the car. Adventures are important; you can drive as far as you want because our cars are incredibly economical. You can just keep on truckin!

Why buy new?

Related to the above, your budget will likely dictate what wheels of choice you can afford to buy. But why buy new? Firstly, you know the vehicle has not been treated in any malicious way by a previous owner. Unfortunately, people can be cruel to their cars, and buying a used car can be a lucky dip which can lead to incurred costs in the future. Secondly, at Suzuki we offer a five-year warranty so in the unlikely event you encounter any issues, you’re covered, provided you’ve kept up with the service program, of course. Further, the drive-away price we display is literally the price you pay to drive it out the door, but please use the correct door when doing so.

When buying a used car privately, you need to consider that you are required to fork out for stamp duty and other fees, depending on your state. But when buying new, these are all factored into the drive-away price. But of course, it all comes down to your budget; if it’s not achievable to buy new, ensure that the car you’re wanting to buy is looked over by someone who knows a bit about how to use a spanner, preferably a mechanic.

Safety

You know what they say: safety first! There is no doubt that modern cars are safer to drive than older cars. All Suzuki models are fitted with a crazy amount of safety technology; check out all the safety acronyms that are fitted to each model, like ABS, EBD, BA, ESC. Unfortunately there’s no abbreviation for traction control or six airbags but they’re standard, too. All jokes aside, safety needs to be top of mind!

Financing/Loan

Many of us can’t afford to buy a new car outright, in this case financing can be a great alternative. Have a chat with your local Suzuki dealership as they’ll be able to advise you on the steps required to finance a new Suuuuzzuukiiiii!

Insurance

Being on the road with no insurance is naughty. Before you even hit the road, you want to ensure that you’re covered in case you and your car are involved in an accident. There are several different levels of insurance, which will cover you for different things, such as third party (damage caused to another person’s vehicle or property by you), theft, fire, and comprehensive. Comprehensive insurance is all in the name really, it covers most things, but it’s important to do your homework and decide which is best for you.