Cars are awesome. However, owning cars can get expensive over time. Remember, cars are machines. They’re great at the start, but they will start having some problems in the long run. They’re being used, after all, so wear and tear are bound to happen. But cars are still definitely necessary for so many things. So how can you lower your costs when it comes to cars? Read on for seven ways to do so. Whether you own a car or are just planning to buy one, these tips can help you a lot.

1. Do pervasive research.

It’s not simple to buy a car, that’s for sure. There are now so many car brands in the market. How do you know which one you should buy? Do your research. When we say research, we mean one that will end up comparing various car brands to each other. Remember, it’s not just the buying price you should consider. It would help if you also considered many other things when it comes to buying a car. For example, how much is the maintenance of a diesel engine compared to a gasoline engine? Or when it comes to parts, how available will the car parts be of the brands you are considering? If you plan to move in the future, research also how much to ship a car. So much to consider, eh?

2. Your car should be as fuel-efficient as possible.

This article by Edmunds has a table that shows the many different expenses when it comes to having a car. And you know the biggest expense of all? If you guessed fuel, you guessed right! Fuel is the most significant expense in owning a car. Constant use of the vehicle means continuous fuel consumption. Therefore, if you want to lower car expenses, get a car that is as fuel-efficient as possible.

3. Get an older vehicle and stick with it.

A shiny new vehicle might be very attractive at first. But did you know that a vehicle bought for $25,000 will on average depreciates by $3,750.00 within the first year? It’s a 15% drop in value in the first year! Imagine how much the value will drop in three or five years? Do you think it’s still worth buying a new vehicle?

What you can do to save money instead is look for older, well-maintained vehicles. Buy from people you know looking to dispose of their old cars. Because you know them, perhaps you can get them to sell to you at a lower price. Or you can check out auctions. They might have cars that interest you. You’ll also get savings ranging between 15 to 50%! And you can rest assured that cars being auctioned are always checked beforehand.

4. Keep up with maintenance always.

If you know the saying, “Prevention is better than cure,” this applies to your car as well. Major repairs to your vehicle will be costly. Prevent this by always bringing in your car for its scheduled maintenance. Have your mechanic check out everything, from brake pads, seat belts, and even the lights. Getting your car regularly diagnosed for any problems will help you catch any problems early.

Of course, make sure to bring your car only to reputable mechanics. Ask your friends or family if they know anybody. This will help you avoid unscrupulous mechanics and additional unnecessary expenses.

5. Don’t use your car all the time.

Want your car to last longer? Take public transportation or carpool whenever possible. You’ll save money by not having to refuel or because you’ll be splitting the gas with other people. Also, think of the rest you’ll get by not being the one to have to drive, especially during rush hour. And you don’t have to think about parking fees either! As extra motivation, check out this statistic: The American Public Transportation Association estimates that commuters save around $13,765 annually. That’s a lot of savings!

6. Read the car manual.

We know we said that your car maintenance should be regularly done. However, it would also help you save money if you knew your car better. That means reading the manual that comes along with the car. Why? So you know the issues that can happen, or the meaning of specific indicators. Also, if you’re more familiar with your car, you will know if something feels off. Knowing these things helps you save money because it means you don’t have to go to mechanics all the time. You will know right away when and when not to bring the car to a repair centre.

7. Compare car-related offers before buying one.

When you bought a car, chances are you bought it through a loan. If it’s been years, try refinancing with a better rate. Ask your lender for a new loan plan, or look for a new lender who can give you better options.

When buying a car, it is good to also buy car insurance. Try going for the lowest-costing one that still offers the things you are looking for. Also try to negotiate a different insurance coverage if you find that you are driving less than before.

While automobiles are great, remember that owning one will chip away at your savings if you’re not careful. Keep these tips in mind to make sure you’re not spending more than what is necessary on your vehicle!