10 Things To Consider When Buying Your Next Truck
If you’re facing one of the most exciting times in a truck-fanatic’s life, and you’re considering purchasing a new truck, there is a lot to consider. Of course, you probably know the basics, but have you really thought about everything? We don’t think it’s worth the risk of missing anything out when on your search, so we’ve put together this ultimate truck-buying guide, to help you kick-start the adventure of finding the truck of your dreams. Are you all buckled up? (Sorry…)
- How much money do you want to spend?
Ok, so you’ll know roughly how much money you can spend on your new truck, but you need to make sure that you’ve considered insurance, and any other costs that you may need to pay out. When you’re looking at your options, then, take a bit of money off what you’re willing to spend, in case you have any unexpected costs. You’ll regret not doing it if you have a beautiful truck, but you can’t afford to get it onto the road.
- Decide whether you want to do any modifications
If you want to modify your truck in any way, make sure that you’re buying one that you can work on, and try not to purchase something that looks like it’s going to need more than a little TLC, unless you know exactly what you’re doing. Mods are a great way to make your truck unique, so keep this in mind when you’re looking at buying a new one.
- Old or new?
An important decision to make is whether you want to splash out on something new, or get your hands on a pre-loved truck. Used trucks are usually a lot more cost effective, and you’ll be able to find trucks with awesome mods from past owners, if you want to get yourself something unique. There is a lot more to consider, however, when making sure that you’re purchasing a high quality and reliable truck, but if you know what you’re looking for, then there’s no need to worry.
- Choose the perfect bed
Depending on what you’ll use your truck for, you need to decide what kind of bed you need, and whether the dimensions of it are going to accommodate the purpose you have in mind. If the purpose of buying a new truck is simply that you love them, then there is no need to worry about not being able to fit loads of stuff in the back, but if not, it’s definitely something you need to consider.
- What do you want the interior to look like?
You may already have an exterior colour in mind, but do you know what you want the interior to look like? If you’re buying a used truck, you may be able to change the interior to something that’s better for you, but if you’re buying new, make sure you know what interiors you have in mind before you start shopping, to help narrow down your search.
- What brand are you going for?
Ok, whether you want to admit it or not, we all have our favourite truck brands and most people will have already made the decision about what brands they’re considering. If not, there are loads of different choices out there, all coming with their own positives and negatives. Do some research, and decide which brand suits you, and gives you what you’re looking for.
- Check out the safety
When buying any truck, you need to be aware of how safe it is, and what you can potentially do to improve this. There are many developments in truck safety technology out there, so if you want to buy a 50 year old truck, you need to spend some time bringing it up to date, for your own safety and that of other drivers. These developments include lane departure warning systems and video cameras to give feedback about driving, and are definitely worth investing in.
- Have you spoken to an expert?
Ok, so you know what you’re looking for, but who’s saying you haven’t accidentally overlooked something quite important? If you’re looking to purchase a truck and you’re about to give it the all-clear, don’t hesitate to check with a professional before you do this. You risk wasting a lot of money if you don’t, and they will put your mind at rest, so you can be sure that you’ve bought a great truck.
- What engine do you need?
There are a whole host of engines out there, and the one that you need will depend upon what you’re planning to do with your truck. If you’re only driving your kids to school, don’t worry about which engine you’ll need in order to tow heavy loads, but if you’re using it for work, it’s worth looking into the best engine you can get.
- Do you want an automatic or manual?
There are many options out there if you prefer to drive automatic, and these are continuously developing. Manual trucks can still be found in an abundance, though, and it all comes down to what you prefer to drive, as most drivers agree that there is no real difference between automatic and manual when it comes to the driving experience. This is all personal preference, then, but you need to decide what you prefer before you go truck hunting, so that you don’t risk wasting any time.
So, if you want to get your hands on a new truck (or a new-old truck), then there are many things that you should think about before you hand over the cash. Not only are there cosmetic issues to think about, but it’s really important that you’ve thought about safety, and getting a professional in to reassure you that what you’re purchasing is the real deal. Get choosing a brand, decide what modifications you want, and think about your budget. And then get out there, and find yourself the perfect truck!