The first of many

Buying your first car can be a daunting experience. There are many, many traps for young players.

So, how do you go about it when you are new to the whole damned thing? I am a 19-year old who has recently done just that. Here, I hope my experience will help younger buyers negotiate the many facets of his buying experience. Who knows... reading my story may just save you a dollar in the process.

Let's take it back a few years; I was a 17-year-old revhead rapidly nearing my probationary licence test. In short, I was counting down the seconds. I'd finally saved up enough cash to afford my first ride, so I began assessing my options.

The first thing to do was decide how much I was willing to spend. It's easy to forget that even once you own the car, you'll also be up for a number of administrative costs before you're on the road. Further, the figure you come up with will help with your next decision – whether to buy new or used.

Buying a used car offered me the greatest value. I quickly noted that I could get a better-equipped used car for the sort of money it would cost to buy something brand new. Decision made. The other appealing thing was the fact that used cars have already dropped their 'new car value'. That's where a new car depreciates the second it moves off the showroom floor and out the door. Buying a used car also usually means a cheaper insurance bill.

So why would anyone buy a new car? Well, buying new has its advantages too. New cars always come with a warranty, are equipped with the latest safety tech, and moreover you have full control over what bells and whistles are installed. It's also possible to save a substantial amount of money in fuel and maintenance costs when buying new.

You can also get a variety of financing options. However, this kind of commitment can easily land a young person in troubled waters, so it's worth using a car loan calculator to work out exactly what you can and can't afford. Even though new cars have more modern technology, pound for pound you will always be able to get a better equipped car by buying used. I'm a bit allergic to the thought of debt, so a big loan and a new car were well off the table for me.

The next question is where to purchase the car. Basically there are two main options – buying from a dealer or from a private seller. I've been around the buying and selling of cars on a private basis – my Dad is a rusted-on car nut, so the process was familiar and therefore held no fear for me. For those doing it for the first time however, it can be a pretty scary business.

There are some advantages associated with buying from a dealer; in-house, one-stop finance options are often available and you can usually get some kind of statutory warranty that covers you if the car is defective.

What kept me on the private route was one simple mantra: 'Buying privately often results in a better price'. This is due to factors such as a higher motivation to move the car on and that a private seller doesn't have to factor in the ongoing costs that a dealership has to bear. It's also worth noting that car salesmen have been known to take advantage of a youngster's naivety, some can be a very good at talking-up a bad deal.  Most are good, but some are not.

For me it was a no-brainer, given the value-for-money element, buying a used car from a private seller was the right move for me. I'd run all the above parameters and arrived at my choice. Beauty! I'm in the market for my first car!

I canvassed the online used-car classifieds. The amount of choice can be overwhelming, so it's a good idea to filter down your search. Entering your budget, distance you're willing to travel (to inspect the car for sale) and any specific features you may need is a good place to start. In my case, a manual transmission and at least four seats were vital. I was prepared to travel for the right car, but not interstate.

After much consideration, I decided that a Subaru wagon best fit my needs. I came across a particular 2004 Subaru Outback that ticked all the boxes; it had low mileage, a great service history, it came with a roadworthy certificate and almost a year's worth of registration. However, the bodywork had its fair share of shopping-trolley bumps and scratches.

By comparing ads, reading expert reviews and using various forums; you can get your head around the value of a particular car. Checking the VIN number against a local database enabled me to make sure the car had never been written-off, stolen or encumbered by an outstanding loan.

I called the owner and asked about the car. Before scheduling an inspection I asked a bunch of questions to make sure I wasn't wasting my time. I asked if the car had any leaks or strange vibrations, if all the interior controls worked as they should, and if the car had ever been in an accident. I also made sure to mention the exterior imperfections; this was my primary point of negotiation.

I inspected the car at the seller's house; I was pleased to see that it had lived most of its life in an immaculately kept garage. I searched the car thoroughly for any signs of fatigue; remember, the car won't lie, the seller might. I checked the fluids and found that both the motor oil and coolant were brand new, a good sign that the car has been well looked after. I also checked the brake pads, the interior gadgets and made sure there were no warning lights on the dash.

It's very important that you test drive a car before you hand over the money. Bringing along a licensed friend or guardian is a good idea if you're not yet of age.

I made sure to kick over the car from cold; this ensured that it had no issues starting. I tested the car at a range of speeds and on more than one type of road. The gearbox was smooth and there were no strange noises. I also put the car through a few emergency stops... the last thing you want is faulty brakes.

The Subaru was very smooth on the road, there were no squeaks or rattles to speak of and the engine reacted exactly as it should. The seller was a pretty straight-up character, and the car had recently passed a roadworthy, so I was confident in its mechanical integrity.

I was very impressed with the car but I withheld my excitement. Keeping a level head, and pointing out the negatives can often help persuade a discount.

I noticed that the tyres were on their last legs and I knew that the body would cost a considerable amount to repair. Because of these discrepancies, the seller agreed to knock a substantial number off the price. A handshake confirmed the deal, and just like that, I owned my first car.

SO...
It may seem like a lot of effort, but doing your research and taking the necessary precautions can save you a world of heartache in the long run. Your first car is usually the product of stacking shelves or flippin' burgers, so take your time. I can't count how many pizzas I delivered, but I know I can't stand the smell of a Super Supreme...

This was my major take-away from my personal buying experience; the few extra steps you take quickly become a distant memory when you're cruising into the sunset in your sound new ride.

Happy hunting!