Brought to you by Linders Renault. 

Thinking about getting some new wheels?

Buying a new car is really exciting (especially if your old one was a bit of a banger). It's a big step and chances are you've been thinking about it for a long time. There are a few important things that you need to know (and should consider) before taking the plunge and parting with your hard-earned cash. Here are the questions you need to ask yourself before you buy a new motor. What kind of car can you afford? Take a look at your budget and see how much you can afford to pay after forking out for rent, utilities, hobbies etc. Come up with a monthly number and run it through an online calculator to see how much you can afford to pay (or save) each month. Don't forget to include a trade-in for your old car. Also remember to consider your annual mileage and calculate the fuel economy of a new car. New or used? Do you want a brand spanking new car or are you happy with a car that has a few miles on the clock? This is a really important question to ask yourself and it is all down to personal preference and of course your budget. Always get a used car thoroughly checked out before purchasing. What will I be using it for? Will you be taking long drives across the country or small city journeys? Different makes and models are better suited to different needs. There is no point buying a large luxury car if you'll mostly be driving in the city. Likewise you might want a bigger more spacious car if you will be taking long road trips every weekend. Concentrate on finding a good car, not a good deal Don't get me wrong, deals are a great way to save some cash when buying a car but don't get so caught up on finding a bargain that you forget to make sure the car in question is exactly what you want. What features do I want and need? Do you really need a built-in sat nav? How about heated seats? Think realistically about the mod cons you need (and can afford) and make a checklist of things that you would like your car to have. This article is brought to you by Linders Renault.