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First car – which one to choose? What do you need to know?
First car – which car to choose, how much money is needed, what are the formalities?
The first car will be a learning vehicle. The decision to purchase a given item is worth considering carefully. What should you pay attention to when choosing your first car? Why is there more to it than shiny paint and horsepower?
What should you remember when choosing your first car?
There is no shortage of relatively cheap, high-end models on the used car market. A powerful engine, rear drive and leather interior are a tempting prospect for a new driver, but when choosing your first car, it is worth considering aspects other than performance and class of the car.
The most important are safety and operating costs. For the price of an older premium car, you can buy a younger, well-equipped city or compact vehicle with lower mileage. This type of standard car will probably also have a more peaceful past. There is less chance that previous owners treated the car roughly and often tested acceleration from stoplights.
What to choose?
Which first car should you choose? A good idea would be a model with a smaller engine capacity and small dimensions, which means it consumes little fuel and allows an inexperienced driver to easily maneuver and park. It should be equipped with at least ABS and airbags (i.e. basic elements of active and passive safety). It won't hurt if it has electrically operated mirrors (this will make parking easier) and, for more convenience, air conditioning.
The first make of the car is also important. It's better not to choose exotic cars. A more sensible choice will be a popular model for which you can easily buy parts. As for the servicing itself, before purchasing it, it is good to find out how much the components cost, what the approximate servicing costs are and the main problems of a given model.
How much money should you spend on your first car?
It is difficult to clearly determine how much you should spend on your first car. It is probably not worth buying a vehicle for several hundred zlotys that has already seen its best days. There is a wide selection of cars on the secondary market up to 20. zlotys. Even below this amount you can find a well-equipped, relatively modern car of the A, B or C segment.
Regardless of your available budget, it is worth allocating a separate pool for additional costs. It is worth checking the car in a workshop before purchasing it. Spending PLN 100 or PLN 200 may pay off and prevent you from getting a car that you will have to invest in constantly. After purchasing your first car, the vehicle will need to be re-registered and insured. It is also a good idea to perform basic service: replace the timing belt, engine oil, brake fluid and filters.
What formalities are involved in purchasing the first vehicle?
The basic step after purchasing your first car is to re-register the vehicle at the transport department. We have 30 days to do so from the date of purchase of the car. The total cost of registration is PLN 180,50. If our first car was registered in the same district where we are registered, we do not have to change the plates. Thanks to this, you can save PLN 99,50.
Purchasing a car involves paying tax on civil law transactions (PCC). Its amount is 2%. vehicle value. If we purchased our first car from a company or an individual running a business, we are exempt from this fee.
Our first car may have insurance. You cannot forget to extend your third party liability insurance policy before it expires. In the case of a young and inexperienced driver, insurance may be expensive and exceed PLN 1000. Therefore, you can consider a solution that involves establishing co-ownership of the car with a more experienced person. The experience of an experienced driver will reduce the premium, but on the other hand, if a new driver causes damage, the policy fee will increase for both people.
The first car
What car accessories will be useful for your first car?
After buying your first car, make sure you have one car accessories required by regulations. The list of mandatory equipment is short and includes an approved ABC fire extinguisher and a warning triangle. Worth adding to this set car first aid kit, as well as jumper cables and a tow rope. It is also a good idea to carry reflective vests for the driver and passengers.
Winter accessories will also be useful, such as a scraper and a broom. Let's also think about accessories that will help organize the space inside the car and in the trunk, such as a net or organizer.
There is also a phone holder. We do not recommend talking while driving, but thanks to the equipment that will hold the smartphone, you will be able to easily turn on the hands-free mode. In addition, we will be able to use navigation on the phone. The road looks different from the perspective of a car than when we use public transport. Navigation can help you learn routes even in your own city.
Car chemicals that not only young drivers must have
The good condition of a car depends mainly on how we take care of it. Regular use car chemicals can extend the life of the vehicle. Moreover, it can help to improve safety. How?
First of all, by maintaining good visibility. It is a good idea to carry window cleaning fluid and cloths with you in the car. It will be useful too APC type universal cleaning agent. It will keep the interior in good order. In the case of a cabin, not only aesthetics are important. Dirt can be harmful to allergy sufferers. Moreover, it contributes to the formation of moisture, which causes the windows to fog up from the inside.
Car cosmetics that are good to have include: tire cleaner (it will extend the durability of the tires) or active foam (it will allow you to remove even heavy dirt from the bodywork). Just in case, you can carry it in the trunk coolant.
How to drive your first car?
In many cases, the first car will be a tool for learning how to drive on the road. How to drive it, apart from carefully and in accordance with the regulations?
First of all, you should use your car as often as possible to get used to both the vehicle and the road traffic. We can train on empty streets in the evenings. It will also be good to go on the road regularly and try your hand at expressways.
If we have doubts about the assessment of the situation, let's take our foot off the gas pedal and put it over the brake. This will shorten the response time in the event of an emergency. Let's be polite to other road users and don't overestimate our skills. Remember to properly adjust the seat and mirrors and forget about seat belts.
The decision to buy your first car should not be made hastily or under the influence of emotions. It is better to choose an ordinary car that is cheap to run and has a proven history than to invest in an eye-catching vehicle that will generate costs. The first car is intended primarily for learning.
