What Car to Start With?

You’ve completed your Vehicle On The Road (VORT) or Competency Based Training & Assessment (CBT&A). Holding your first ever issued driver’s license in your hand, begin thinking about which car to buy as your first vehicle. The level of excitement is incredible.

Many first-time car users will go for a smaller used car simply because it is more economical, more affordable for teens and young adults, and could potentially able to avoid financing. Buying a brand new car will cost more, but it will come with an extended kilometre guarantee and, in certain instances, capped-priced servicing.

So, what other factors should you consider beyond the car’s selling price? Here are the TOP 3 things you might consider:

#1 Safety rating

Australasian New Car Assessment Program (more commonly known as ANCAP Safety) is Australasia’s independent vehicle safety authority.

ANCAP safety ratings are published for a range of new vehicles entering the Australian and New Zealand markets, using a rating system of 0 to 5 stars which indicate the level of safety a vehicle provides for occupants and pedestrians in the event of a crash, as well as its ability — through technology — to avoid or minimise the effects of a crash.

ANCAP Safety: The higher the star ratings, the safer it is.

#2 Fuel type

There are petrol and diesel fuel powered vehicle in the market. There are also growing demand in electric powered vehicles (Hybrids or Full EVs).

Let’s say we chose only petrol fueled vehicles. If you are not a car enthusiast then you can hardly be blame for not knowing what the different fuel types are – Standard Unleaded 91, Premium 95-octane unleaded, Premium 98-octane unleaded, E10, E85… After all, the stations themselves don’t exactly spell it out for you when you go to fill up your car. To make matters more confusing, different fuel companies can have their own separate definitions of the different fuel types too, which isn’t very helpful for someone who doesn’t actively read about cars in their spare time.

Before we make it more confusing… if you are interested to know more about different fuel types. You might be interested to search up about “The different Fuel Types Explained”

#3 Insurance Cost

Your lack of experience and your age might be the main reason giving you sky-high insurance costs. Other than that, insurer might also look at how you parked your car overnight, frequency of use of the car, models and last but not least is the types of your chosen coverage (Comprehensive Cover or Third Party Cover).

There are so many factors that might affects your quoted insurance premium. You can spend some time researching it online OR sometimes it might be good to just getting an insurance broker to sort it out for you.

Here is someone might be able to help you >>> Collins Insurance Services

If you’ve got an automatic-only licence then you’ll obviously be limited to cars with automatic gearboxes, which tend to be more pricey and in relation to small cars, rarer. Manual cars can also help build driving confidence with greater control over the car’s mechanicals.

Other highlights to look out for when buying a car for a new driver include light steering, good visibility, a responsive engine and brakes, user-friendly controls and a positive gear shift; all of these help a new driver build confidence during their time behind the wheel.

Special Note: YES, Good News! You can drive a Manual transmission vehicle using South Australia Driver’s License.

Read next >>> 1st timer – What you need to check when buying a car?