Buying a car is a significant investment. Making a budget will help you to plan and prepare where and when your money is being spent. Before settling on a final budget for your car purchase, consider these extra costs that arise when you own a car.
Preparing for the unexpected will ease financial burdens later. Add in an emergency fund for your vehicle to cover things like collision repair, engine trouble and hail damage.
Driver vision is key when behind the wheel of any vehicle. If you have a nick or crack in your windshield, consider the windshield replacement cost when planning your car budget.
Rear and front windshield wipers will keep your windows clear and optimise your line of vision. Budgeting for high quality wipers and opting for replacements will be beneficial when the weather turns messy.
Painting your vehicle is a rare occurrence, but scratches and dings can happen at any time. If you want to keep your colour fresh and the resale value of your car as high as possible, spend a little of your budget on auto body paint work.
Extra costs can occur thanks to the many pieces under the hood. You’ll also want to keep a full stock of windshield fluid and car oil for easy top-ups as well as jumper cables for the battery.
Include insurance and licensing costs in your car budget. Annual fees and costs add up and are necessary to keep your car on the road.
Don’t cut costs when it comes to your tires. Especially in the winter months, it’s wise to have good, reliable tires. They will require replacing periodically and remember to keep a strong spare tire in the trunk for emergencies.
Safety is always key when planning your car budget. Bright, strong headlights and tail lights increase your visibility on the road and increase your line of vision in the dark. Keep extras on hand for DIY replacements.
This guide is put together by a member of the driving community and not by a safety professional. This is intended to serve as a simple guide and not as an official set of protocols.