Car Shoppers Guide To Finding The Right Vehicle in Ocala, FL

5 Questions Car Buyers Should Ask Themselves

Shopping for your next car can be exciting. But before you visit your local dealership, you should ask yourself these five questions to help you create a list of must-have features and specifications. If you’re visiting Jenkins Acura, you’re bound to see several eye-catching Acura models that will instantly whisk you away. Knowing exactly what you’re looking for before you walk into the showroom will help ensure you fall in love with a vehicle that meets your needs.

1. What's My Budget? Knowing how much you can afford to spend will help you make decisions like, whether to purchase a new model, certified pre-owned vehicle, or used car. It will also help you prioritize which features you need and those you can live without. Don’t just look at the cost of the vehicle. Do your research and make sure you understand the full cost of ownership, including fuel, insurance, and maintenance.
2. New or Used? Your budget will influence this choice quite a bit, but both options have financial pros and cons. New vehicles are often more expensive, and they take an instant depreciation hit the moment you drive off the lot. However, more affordable used cars will have more miles on the odometer and likely more wear and tear, which can translate into more spending on maintenance and repairs.
3. What Size Car Do I Need?
4. Consider not only how many people your next vehicle needs to seat but also who those people are. How many car seats will you be using? Does anyone need additional accessibility options? If you have a big family, a large sedan or an SUV might be what you need. For city living or solo rides, a smaller car might be perfect.
5. How Important is Fuel Efficiency? The answer may seem like a no-brainer. Of course, you want a fuel-efficient vehicle. It can save you a ton of money over the course of your ownership, but that might not be the most important thing to you. Your vehicle's powertrain is the main influence on fuel economy and maybe it's more important to you to have a fast car like the Integra Type S than a less thirsty model. If you are hoping to find a fuel-efficient option, consider a hybrid model or even a BEV like the 2024 Acura ZDX.
6. What Features Are Important to Me? Make a list of features you simply cannot live without, such as heated seats, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, or wireless connectivity features. Then, rank your list from least important to most important. Knowing what you want will make shopping easier because you won’t be distracted by features that are nice to have but aren’t necessarily must-haves.

Starting your shopping experience with the answers to these five questions can help you find the model that best suits your life, needs, and budget. Once you’ve created your list of must-have features, visit us at Jenkins Acura, and we’ll help you find the model that checks all the boxes.