I have always owned a used car because I could never afford to buy one brand new. Once I finished college and landed a full time job at MIDFLORIDA, I decided it was time to treat myself to a new car. On Sunday, April 7, 2019, I walked out of the dealership with a brand new Honda Civic—my dream car.

Let me not get ahead of myself, though. I had to do a few things before I went to the dealership. First, I wanted to get preapproved for a car loan so I’d know my interest rate before I started shopping. The interest rate, plus a little research to figure out how a new car would affect my insurance premium, was crucial for creating my budget.

Next, I had to make sure to bring along people I trusted. Car dealerships can be a little intimidating, especially if you’re purchasing your first car. Going alone is not something I would recommend! Ask your parents, grandparents, or people you can rely on who are knowledgeable about buying a car and will help you see all of your options. I brought along my mom and dad and they helped me make the best decision for myself now—and for my future self.

Lastly, I had to make sure this was really something I wanted to do. I had to also face some real facts before riding off into the sunset: There is a payment every month. This is completely my responsibility and not my parents’. I almost took a few days to really think about signing that contract, but there were a lot of positives that made my choice easy. I knew I was ready and I wasn’t just being pushed by a sales person. My parents had helped me create a budget, so I knew the price was right.  But to top it all off, it was the car I’ve always wanted. I drove off the lot feeling so proud of myself.

My overall advice to anyone going to buy their first new car is simple: Make sure it’s exactly what you want and that you can afford it. Don’t settle, but don’t over spend. Explore all of your options. Be sure to consider all of the pros and cons. And, if you’re not completely filled with excitement while driving the car, keep looking.

Article by Sierra Tollar, Marketing Assistant.

Surprisingly, not much has changed since MIDFLORIDA’s CEO, Kevin Jones, purchased his first car. Take a look at his story and be sure to check out the entire Jones Garage series if you’re into cars!