You may have heard that car buying is as competitive as the current real estate market. This isn’t quite true. In fact, if you are ready to trade up for something better, this is a great time for buyers.

1. Safety is a Concern

The car market has been competitive for over two years now. So, while some drivers may choose to hold off hoping the prices will drop, this may not be an option for some.

Newer vehicles include better safety and technology features. These features can increase the overall safety of you and your family, and you can’t put a price on that.

It may also be worth it to consider a new car for safety features if you have a teen driver in the household. It may be tempting to let them drive your used car, but today’s technologies can help keep newer drivers safe. For instance, a new Ford SUV in Chandler has the ability to warn the driver and assist with steering and braking.

In fact, many newer brands have teen driver technologies that specifically help teach them safer driving habits. Some even provide you with a customized driving report so you can identify the areas in which your teen still needs practice.

2. Technology Has Never Been Better

Technology has never been better. This includes not only what you can see, but what you can’t see. It includes how the car was designed, how it was made, and how well the materials were combined to create an impressive and long-lasting style statement.

Getting a better car now is more meaningful than nearly any time in history. The driver assistance aids are just amazing, and it makes your daily drive safer than ever before. The right Chandler AZ Ford dealer may be able to bring the car to you for a test drive.

3. You Will Get More for Your Trade-In

If you plan on trading in your current vehicle, now is the time to do so. The value of used vehicles is at an unprecedented high. Currently, many new car dealerships are paying well over market value for used cars.

So, while you may have to pay slightly more for a new car, you’ll also get more right now for your used car than at any other time.

Despite the higher costs it’s also possible to get a great deal. For example, if you can maximize your trade-in value and then choose a car listed at a fair price, you could end up with a good deal.

4. Your Current Car is Costing You A Lot

Older cars with mechanical problems can cost you a lot in repairs. For example, a transmission repair can run anywhere between $1,500-$5,000.

If you need an engine repair, you can expect to pay between $2,500-$4,000. Sometimes, the high cost of repairs isn’t worth it.

Instead, you could put that money down as a down payment, giving you access to a newer, better-performing vehicle. Additionally, many newer cars come with warranties. This means that if you do end up having transmission or engine problems, it may be covered with your warranty.

If you’re not sure if making necessary repairs is worth it or not, it can be helpful to compare the car’s total value with the cost of repairs. You can pull your vehicle’s current value using Kelley Blue Book. Then, compare that to the cost of repairs you need now and the ones you’re likely to need in the future.

5. Your Lease is Over

If you are currently driving a lease, you may not have an option to wait. If it’s time to renew your lease, make sure you price shop around and compare options.

You may be able to buy out your lease, which means buying the vehicle you’re already driving. You may also be able to work with a local dealership that will buy out your lease and get you into a new vehicle at a lower price.

6. There’s No Relief in Sight

The car shortage has been going on for over two years now. While you could continue to wait to buy, there’s no relief in sight.

Much of the current market is due to a chip shortage, and it’s possible that the price will only continue to increase. This means that it may be a better option to buy now rather than wait another year.

There are many reasons to consider buying a vehicle now. If you’re worried about safety or spending too much on repairs, it is definitely the right time for you to buy a new car.

Pickup trucks are the second-most popular vehicle choice on the market today. Some truck owners are fiercely loyal to manufacturers. But most buyers will weigh their options to decide which pickup truck best fits their needs. With so many options out on the market today, if you are shopping for a new truck, here is a list of priorities and how they may affect your choice.

Price

Price is typically the first thing we look for when making any major purchase. Most people have a budget and want to know if they will be able to afford a specific vehicle before they go any further.

Pickup trucks have come a long way in recent years and offer trim packages starting at your basic work truck to high-end luxury packages with bells and whistles. There is also a wide range of truck sizes, from as small as a mid-size car to the much larger trucks designed for hauling various types of cargo.

Obviously, the larger the truck and the more features included in the package, the higher the sales price. Also, the truck’s brand will go a long way in determining the price.

The new Ford Maverick is the first hybrid on the market. Obviously it can’t substitute for a full-size truck, such as the new Ford F-150, but it does show you how broad the price range has become. You don’t have to spend a fortune to buy a new truck if you shop around for the one with the right capability for your needs.

Running Costs

Buying a truck is an investment, and its associated costs should be considered. If you can get capability with better fuel economy, that’s what you should aim for.

It’s essentially the idea behind the Ecoboost engines found on the Ford lineup of trucks. A turbo six Ecoboost engine can perform more like a regular V8, but it doesn’t drink like one. This can mean a difference of 5 to 10 miles per gallon, and that can be a huge savings or a huge expense.

So while the price is important to your loan costs, the fuel economy will be important to your monthly budget from now on.

Truck Size

Determining the size of the pickup truck you need is also an important factor in making a good purchase decision.

If you are going to use the truck for towing, be sure that the truck you choose meets the capacity needs of your cargo. When looking at tow ratings, consider that a 5,000-pound camper will have additional weight from its contents. Therefore, you want to pick a truck with tow ratings that are 500 to 1000 pounds more than your camper.

Trucks typically come in short, mid, and long bed styles. You can expect the sizes to be about 5-feet, 6-feet, and 8-feet but there is variety by truck model and brand. For instance, while the Ranger midsize truck bed is 6 feet, the F-150 bed is 6.5 feet and the Ford SuperDuty bed is 6.75 feet.

If the cabin size is most important to you, keep in mind that you need to look at the numbers. You’ll want to make a comparison of such things as second-row legroom and overall headroom when looking for something with enough back-row space for coworkers and other adults.

If you are looking for a Regular cabin with just one row of seats, these are available from Ford, Chevy or Ram. Certain types of midsize trucks, such as the Ford Ranger, will offer to delete the second row in the smaller cab. This gives you a large storage area plus one row of seats.

Features

These days pickup trucks come with just as many high-end features as most luxury cars. When shopping for your truck, there will be no shortage of options to choose from.

If the truck is a family vehicle, you may opt for more safety and entertainment features. If it will be used more like a work truck, features such as backup cameras, extended mirrors, and practical truck bed features may be your priority.

Another feature that should be taken into account is off-road capabilities. Depending on your location or your intended use of the truck, you may need to consider a model with four-wheel-drive capabilities.

Comfort

Trucks are becoming more commonly used as family vehicles, and manufacturers have adjusted accordingly. High-end trim packages are commonplace now, giving all the passengers luxury options such as leather upholstery and heated seats.

With certain brands, even a basic work truck package on a new truck will bring a certain level of comfort. For instance, whether you buy the entry level Ford Ranger or F150, the package will include a rearview camera and the Sync touchscreen system for connectivity and entertainment. But the more money you typically spend, the more comfort and luxury your new truck will provide.

Reliability

With proper care and maintenance, your truck will give you reliable service for years to come. A new one will come with good warranty coverage. Certain used trucks, such as Ford Gold Advantage or Blue Advantage, also come with warranties, a newer development for those buying used trucks.

However, problems do sometimes occur. That’s why it’s important to have your dealer explain the warranties and service contracts available to you as a buyer in great detail. When you deal with a reputable dealership and take proper care of your vehicle, your truck should be reliable for all your needs.