If you’ve just passed your driving test and are now ready for a life on the road, with the wind in your hair, congratulations! But now’s the time for you to go out and buy your first car, if there’s not one your family can hand down to you. Cars cost a lot of money, there’s no doubt about that, but not all cars are valued the same. And when you’re a beginner, you want to know you’re getting a good vehicle for a cheap price, and have at least a few years of peace before you need to upgrade.

But which car would be best for your needs? Especially when it comes to the bigger models on the market? Don’t worry, here’s a couple of tips for buying a large vehicle when you’re fresh out of driving school.

So you’re not going to need a vehicle as flashy as this, but most of the benefits found in this model are present in the second hand one you’re mulling over at the dealership right now!

Do You Have the Budget?

Budget is always going to be the first thing to worry about, especially when you’re a first time buyer and don’t quite know what’s what. In short, bigger car models always have an inflated price to them, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t manageable. And it’s not just the price of the car, but all the gas and insurance policies as well. But thankfully, it’s been found that bigger cars are usually best in this kind of fuel economy!

If you don’t feel like your current savings can cover all your bases at the moment, look at this car payment calculator for a little bit of help. A loan for a car is something that’s easy to pay off, especially considering the other types out there, and it’s always worth it to go for a quality vehicle that’ll last you a good while (and bigger cars always have that seal of assurance to them!), compared to a vehicle that’s cheaper that you know is going to fail within the year.

Are You Planning to Offroad?

Offroading is something we all do from time to time, whether we like camping or we take our cars down back roads that aren’t as well looked after, or we go on holiday on road trips across deserts. And if you’re someone who’s planning driving activities like these, you’re going to need a larger vehicle that’s specialised for the task.

If you’re someone who just needs the increase space and height off of the ground, don’t waste your money on a four wheel drive. A 4x4 is going to be a strong option here, and usually the cheapest; not to mention, it’s very easily to come across these models second hand as well.

Can You Handle The Power?

When looking for your first car, it's essential to think about how much power you need and how much you can handle. A big car might have a lot of appeal, but if you can't handle the power, it could be dangerous for you and other road users. Car accident lawyers see this happen all too often, so it's best to be safe and get a car that's the right size and power level for you. Taking on a big car can be tempting, especially if you're looking at a luxury model or a powerful off-road vehicle.

However, before you buy, ask yourself if you can really handle all that power. If you're not sure, it's better to err on the side of caution and get a smaller car. You can always trade up later on once your handling skills have improved. A big car gives you a lot of freedom on the open road, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. If you're not ready for that, then you could end up in an accident. If you are involved in an accident, a good car accident lawyer can help you sort out the mess and ensure that you're covered legally.

Think first. Buying your first car is always going to be a big decision, but if you're buying big, make sure you’re doing it with information and street smarts on your side.