Buy a New Car, They Say

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So, you've just gotten a job and are now earning a basic degree salary scale of $2400 - $2600 per month. You've been working for a few months, and are now ready to get the car you've been dreaming of for so long. 

I was 24 when I bought my own car, not because I wanted to but because I had to. I was 19 when my dad bought me my first car and I loved it so much even though it was such an old car. One day my parents' car stopped working, and we had to keep rotating and sharing cars at home. It's quite difficult considering that my parents and I were working in two opposite directions from home, so carpooling was not a convenient option. 

When my parents told me they were planning to buy a cheap car, I rejected the idea. I come from a middle-class family, and surely my parents already had too many facilities to cover each month and I didn't like the idea of them burdening themselves. I was capable then, so I made the decision to get a car without thoroughly understanding the financial responsibility that came with it. All I thought about at that time was "if I wanted to get a car, I might as well get a luxurious car" LOL AT ME. 

After reviewing several cars, my heart was set on the one car I used to tell myself not to ever ever get. I went for the Audi Q3; it was the last model and a showroom car, so I was able to get a bit of a discount. Haha, I was so naive then. I didn't even think twice. I went to sign all the paperwork and voila, I was officially a car owner. 

My advice if you really wanted to get a car, consider my expenses above. 

Ask the agent about the estimated annual insurance (this may vary depending on the insurance you opt for - the more comprehensive it is, the more expensive it will be), cost of servicing including labor charges (ps: initially I was quoted at $1500 for my Major Servicing), repairing/replacing car parts and what your warranty covers. Also talk to people who own the car that you want, and ask if they've encountered issues and so on. If it's still within your budget then go for it. 

I'd also like to remind you that other facilities may come your way as the year goes by. You might decide to get a loan or a credit card. If your job is not permanent, I highly encourage to practice saving money. 

Allow me to share my painful experience: 

I lost my job in 2016. I was only able to cover both my car and my credit card for about 3 months. I was struggling financially, that I didn't even know how I was going to feed my cats and myself. I juggled 2 - 3 part-time jobs then and had to consistently ask my parents to help me. I was collecting bad marks on my credit score, which means if I were to apply for a mortgage or a personal loan, I might have difficulty in getting my application approved. On top of that, I was also a guarantor for my brother's car, whom at that time was also unemployed. 

As I mentioned earlier, I come from a middle-class family, which means I never carried a branded anything except a luxurious car. My dad was able to help me pay for my car for a few months, which I am still so eternally grateful for. MY DAD IS THE REAL MVP AND HE DOESN'T GET ENOUGH CREDIT FOR IT. LOVE YOU BABAH! 

I got hired by a private company, and was only earning $1,300 per month. I only had $200 left each month to survive, so it was often instant noodle and packed lunch. Imagine if something happens to your car, and you'll end up with basically no money left.

Alhamdulillah, I was able to come to get out of that rut and resume to having a healthier account. 

My other advice here is - never ever agree to become someone's guarantor unless they can guarantee that they'll pay every month. Or just, don't become anyone's guarantor except yourself. 

But point here is if you really want to get a car, get one that you can afford and one that doesn't add burden to your parents. I was unlucky for a while, but I made my choice 3 years ago and never regretted it once. I love my car so much that it was one of the best things I ever bought for myself even if it meant, I could never buy the other 100 things I desire to have. 

BUT DON'T GET A SHIT CAR, that'll cost you more money just to keep repairing it. Ok, Good Luck!