Do cars make good Christmas gifts?

Do cars make good Christmas gifts?

Nothing feels better than giving the perfect gift. And what better present than a brand a new set of wheels?

Ok, so a new car is an extremely extravagant gesture, but each year, the festive seasons cruises around, and people make the decision to take their loved ones Christmases up a gear.

Whether it’s a first car for their child or a new car for their partner, nothing quite compares to seeing their face when they glance at the big red bow on the bonnet come Christmas morning.

However, a new car is an enormous financial outlay, not to mention a long-term commitment, which is why it’s incredibly important that you don’t make the decision to gift a vehicle lightly.
Here are three things you should do before you even think about going shopping.

1. Do your research

• First things first, you need to think about the kind of car you want to purchase. Start by asking yourself the following questions.
• What are your priorities? If it’s quality and comfort, you may narrow your search to European vehicles.
• How much are you willing to spend? This will also tighten your pool of options.
• Will it be petrol, hybrid or electric? Make sure you understand the requirements of each.
• What does your loved one’s lifestyle look like? Don’t get a diesel 4WD for someone who makes weekly trips to the supermarket, for example.
• Are you shopping for a used car? Don’t forget to get a second-hand vehicle inspection.
• Once you have a clear understanding of the kind of car you’re looking for, you can steer towards the purchasing journey with confidence.

2. Understand the responsibility

As already mentioned, a car is a huge commitment. Not just for you, the purchaser, but also for the person you’re gifting it to. Financially, you need to be confident it’s something you can afford, particularly because a car loan is an extended commitment that you could be paying off in the months or even years ahead.

You then need to think about the recipient and their situation – is a new car really such a good idea for them? Below are some things you should consider before driving your gift off the showroom floor.

Insurance

Make sure the recipient has access to, and can afford, the insurance on the vehicle. The last thing you want to do is shackle them to years of maintenance, repairs and registration bills when they can’t afford it.

Storage

Ensure a secure car park on or near their premises will keep the car safe and protected from the elements (this will also influence insurance costs).

Maintenance

Do you know how often the car will need to be car serviced? (You can find out here.) Understanding just how much upkeep will be required from a new vehicle will give you a clear picture of what you’re signing yourself or your loved one up to.

More importantly, you need to know where the vehicle will be serviced. This ensures that you have a trusted set of hands nearby to keep your car in perfect working order, which takes us to our third point.

3. Find a good local service & maintenance provider

You essentially have two options – you can either open the phone book and randomly select a generalist mechanic. Or, you can do your research and invest in a specialist mechanic.

If you pull up Google and search ‘European car mechanic near me’, don’t be surprised to see Accelerate Automotive at the top. That’s because we’re the number one car service and maintenance provider in Brisbane, and people know their vehicles are in the best hands when they’re parked in our workshop.

You want that same level of certainty for your loved one when it comes to keeping their gift in pristine condition.

In summary, giving cars as gifts isn’t necessarily something we recommend. They’re expensive long-term commitments that come down to personal preference, lifestyle and finances. We do, however, recommend following the above three steps any time you consider buying yourself a vehicle, no matter the time of year.