How To Find The Cheapest Car To Buy And Maintain

Automobiles can seriously deplete your financial resources. There is no way to avoid spending money on them; they are expensive from beginning to end. You should know how to find the cheapest car possible if money is tight or you want to get the most value out of your purchase over the long haul. This applies to both running costs and initial outlay costs.

There’s always a lot more to it than meets the eye with this complicated machinery, as is the case with most things. Most of the time, people make the argument that the vehicle is cheaper since it gets the best gas mileage, but it is not always the best course of action. You must instead be informed with the information required to reach an intelligent, logical conclusion.

Factors Affecting Car Value

The initial cost of any car is nearly always going to be the highest (unless you get a seriously cheap vehicle). This is one you need to grasp to stretch your budget as far as it can if you want to have the best chance of obtaining a cheap car. It boils down to five key factors.

• Seller

Don’t forget to consider where you’ll be purchasing your vehicle from. Dealers want to make money, while private sellers can be stumbling in the dark. Always try to select an automobile that is worth the money and is going to live up to its potential without costing you an arm and a leg.

• Age

The value of the car is significantly impacted by its age. Older automobiles lose value as more coveted vehicles enter the market and as they become less useful, practical, and expensive to fix relative to their value. That typically means that if you’re willing to purchase an older vehicle, you can acquire a considerably cheaper vehicle. Just keep in mind that this simply means there is more time for things to go wrong once they have already started to go wrong. If you’re considering an older vehicle, do your research.

• Mileage

In addition to age, a vehicle’s mileage has the same predictive power as the factors mentioned above. It gives a clear indicator of how much abuse an automobile has endured and how much more likely it is that this abuse will cause problems down the road. While mileage is not the only factor, it does have a substantial impact. Budget for it because it could be both a life-limiting and cost-effective option. 

• Model

You don’t need an expert to inform you that the type of vehicle you choose to purchase will affect your ability to discover a cheap automobile, both to operate and to purchase. There are many different brands, sizes, and forms of automobiles available, and each one has advantages over the others. Just be sure to keep this in mind when determining your price, as well as the models’ reputation, dependability, and general worth.

• Condition

Finally, the state in which the car is located will tie everything mentioned above together in terms of how simple it will be for you to get a cheap car. A worn-out, dilapidated vehicle will have a far lower value than one that has been meticulously maintained and cared for, even one of equal value. However, if it isn’t in great shape, it might be asking for trouble. This alone can be a false economy. If you’re unsure of a used car’s condition, keep in mind the risks. 

Running Factors

There are other factors to take into account when trying to select the cheapest car possible in addition to purchase prices. If you plan to keep the car for a while, understanding how much it will cost to maintain it after purchase is just as important, if not more so.

Again, it may be divided into a number of crucial aspects that you must take into account.

• Engine Size

The size of your engine has a significant impact on how much fuel you’ll need. It is logical. An engine in a larger car will use a lot more fuel and be more powerful as well. We’ll get to that soon, but keep in mind that putting too much strain on your engine can cause it to use more fuel.

• Fuel Type

The price of the fuel is equally vital to running a cheap car as the amount of fuel the engine requires. When comparing the whole cost of a used car, fuel economy is quite important, and the petrol vs. diesel debate is simply one more example of the ongoing debate over efficiency. In fact, this has resulted in a tremendous increase in the power of hybrid and electric vehicles, and things should only get better.

• Usage

Without understanding your long-term needs, it is impossible to locate the cheapest car. It incorporates all of the things we’ve looked at. When commuting or driving short distances, a huge 2-litre engine like the Audi A6 will almost certainly consume more fuel than an Eco-Boost Ford Fiesta. However, highway driving may be very different due to how hard the smaller engine must work. Take a long view. Where do you spend most of your time?

• Wear and Tear

Finally, before you even buy it, you need to be aware of how it has been handled previously and the degree of wear and tear that is present if you want to be able to locate the cheapest can possible. All vehicles experience wear and tear, regardless of age or mileage. It stands to reason that age and mileage would be the main factors. Keep in mind that a cheap automobile may end up costing you more in the long term owing to repair and maintenance expenses compared to a newer model. Don’t let a low beginning price fool you.

Cheapest Car to buy in Nigeria

The cheapest car to buy in Nigeria can vary depending on several factors such as the year, make, model, and condition of the car. However, some of the cheapest cars to buy in Nigeria include:

• Tokunbo Toyota Camry (1998 – 2002 models)
• Tokunbo Honda Accord (1998 – 2002 models)
• Tokunbo Nissan Sentra (1998 – 2002 models)
• Tokunbo Toyota Corolla (1998 – 2002 models)
• Tokunbo Mitsubishi Lancer (1998 – 2002 models)

It is important to note that the prices of these cars can vary depending on their condition, mileage, and other factors, so it’s always a good idea to do your research and get a professional opinion before making a purchase. Additionally, it’s important to consider the cost of maintenance, insurance, and fuel efficiency when choosing a car to buy in Nigeria.

Conclusion

Finding a cheap car that will allow you to save the most money ultimately depends on a variety of different aspects. Above all, keep in mind that this is a long-term project. When compared to spending a little more on something higher quality in every way, buying a cheap and unreliable car can result in expensive maintenance and part expenditures.

Whatever you do, always keep in mind that quality is everything. Do what works best for you, as long as the price is reasonable and you are not taking a risk or being in the dark about what is happening.