The average new car costs more than $36,000. Cars are a big purchase and a big part of your budget. You want to borrow the least amount of money possible to keep your loan down.

Want to buy a new car, but don't have enough money yet? Here's a guide with 7 ways to save for a car.

1. Determine Your Budget

Before you do anything, you need to determine your budget. You have to write down all your expenses and figure out what you can afford. Determine how much you earn each month and how much you spend.

If you have seasonal income, you may want to get a good understanding of how much you can afford on the off months. This includes saving money in the higher income months to cover the lower income months since you will have to pay your payments each month.

Take a look at all your expenses and regular bills. Keep in mind expense such as groceries, gas, and other purchases. You don't want to spread yourself too thin financially.

After seeing all your expenses, determine what you have leftover at the end of the month. You should save at least 10 percent of that amount. You can then see what monthly payment you can afford.

You can find apps to help you stick to your budget and make sure you can save money. You have to hold yourself accountable, which can be the hardest part.

2. Consider Other Expenses

In addition to your car payment, you will have other expenses to keep in mind before you purchase a car. These expenses include insurance, gasoline, and maintenance. You should keep your car expenses to under 20 percent of your budget.

Before deciding on a car, you should consider these expenses because some of these expenses vary per make of vehicle. Let's take a look at all these expenses.
Car Insurance

You may want to quote out insurance from a few insurance companies on a couple of vehicles to see which fits your budget best. The average insurance premium is around $118 a month. Be careful not to sacrifice enough coverage to keep costs down.
Gasoline

When choosing a vehicle, you should also consider your gasoline costs. Do you drive a lot? If so, you may need something with better gas mileage to save money or even consider a vehicle with an alternative fuel source.

If you don't drive great distances, the cost of fuel may not be a large factor.
Maintenance

Do you have money set aside for routine maintenance like oil changes or new tires? You may also have unexpected repairs like a flat tire or chip in the windshield.

If you are buying a used car, you may save money on the purchase price of the vehicle, but you may spend money on larger maintenance items sooner than on a new vehicle.

3. Determine Your Down Payment

Now that you have done the most important steps-determining your budget along with other costs, it's time to figure out how much you need for a down payment. You can use a loan calculator to help you determine the price range of a car you can afford.

You should aim to put 20 percent down on a new vehicle or 10 percent on a used vehicle. Once you determine the price range, you can figure out your down payment. This will give you a goal for your savings plan.

If you can put down a larger down payment, you may be able to lower your interest rates, saving you money on your monthly payments. You may also want to check with various lenders to determine rates and terms to see if you can save money by getting financing on your own like at a local credit union. Don't forget you will also have to figure in sales tax and additional fees on these costs.

4. Open a Savings Account

You now know what you need to save, so now you can work on getting there. To help you reach your goal, open up a separate savings account for your car. This will help prevent you from dipping into these funds for other purposes.

You may also want to check around for the best interest rates. Check with the local bank along with online accounts. Make sure you don't touch this money until you are ready to purchase your new wheels.

You can keep tabs on your savings, so you know when you are ready to purchase this vehicle. Anytime you have extra money, you can throw it in your savings account to help you reach your goal.

5. Add Money Automatically to Your Savings

After setting up your account, you can make automatic transfers to this account without having to think twice. You can have a percentage of your paycheck go into this account, so you don't have the opportunity to spend it.

Some banks will do this for you, or you can check out a trusted third party. There are even some programs that round up purchases to the nearest dollar and add the extra change to your savings account.

6. Side Gigs

If you want to save money quicker, you may want to consider a side job to earn some extra money. This can help accelerate your savings.

Try gigs like mowing yards, working online, or other gigs. Make sure the job is legitimate and worth the time and money before you commit.

7. Get Money From Your Current Car

If you are placing another car, you can trade in your vehicle or sell your car to help pay for your next car. If you sell it yourself, you will most likely get more money, but it takes more time and you have to find a buyer.

Check out appraisal tools to get an idea of your car's value. You will have to be honest about the condition and mileage to get the best estimate.
You Can Save for a Car

With a plan and a budget, you can save for a car. All that hard work will pay off, and nothing is more liberating than cruising around in your new car.

Ready to buy a car? Check out Santa Maria Nissan today for a large selection of new and used vehicles. Come test drive your car when you are ready-we would be happy to help you find the perfect car.

Did you realize 17 million vehicles are sold in the United States each year? Having a car that is both reliable and appealing is something most people view as a priority. With all of the different vehicles on the market, finding the right one can be challenging.

If a buyer is trying to find an eco-friendly car, the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus is a safe bet. This car is all-electric and is extremely popular. Last year, over 30,000 Nissan Leaf vehicles were sold around the world.

The team at Nissan are known for producing high-quality vehicles at competitive prices and the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus is no exception. The following are some of the things you need to know about this great vehicle before purchasing it.
The 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus Has a Larger Battery

One of the biggest concerns most people have when buying an electric car is the battery size. If the batter in a car is smaller, then it will not be able to go very far without a charge. The regular Nissan Leaf has a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery.

However, the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus has a 62 kWh battery. This means it has nearly 50 percent more energy storage. With this increased battery storage, you will not have to worry about taking long trips.

The batter on the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus is mounted in the floor area. This means that the weight of the battery helps to stabilize the vehicle without reducing the power it has.
The Power of the Nissan Leaf Motor

There is a misconception in the car buying community that investing in an electric vehicle means a person has to give up horsepower.

While the engines in the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus do not rival that of a gas-powered muscle car, they are still quite powerful. This engine has 214 horsepower, which is more than enough kick to keep you moving down the road at an acceptable pace.

When compared to other electric vehicles like the Hyundai Kona EV and the Chevy Bolt, the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus has over 50 additional engine horsepower to offer.

The turbine-like motor in these vehicles provides smooth and instant acceleration. This means you don't have to worry about engine rev or spool up from a turbocharger. Simply put, the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus provides you with both speed and performance.
The 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus Features Standard and Quick-Charge Ports

The main goal of the Nissan Leaf Plus design team was to provide consumers with a high level of convenience and versatility. One of the most convenient features the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus has is the dual quick and standard charging ports.

The standard charging port is set up to go into 120-volt outlets, while the fast-charging can handle power from a 240-volt outlet. The charging cables that go to these ports are both durable and very easy to store.

The fast-charging port can fully charge a depleted battery in around 11 hours or so. This is why most consumers choose to use it over the standard port.
The Leaf Offers Luxury and Technology

Modern consumers demand high-tech features in the vehicles their purchase. Things like navigation systems and infotainment centers have become extremely common in newer vehicles. Not only does the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus have suede and leather seats for added luxury, but it also has lots of tech features as well.

The new Plus features things like automatic climate control, an 8-inch color touchscreen infotainment center and auto-lock power doors. This model features a 6-speaker sound system that packs a punch. The infotainment center allows drivers to pair their Apple or Android devices to their vehicle.

When these devices are paired, it allows drivers to talk hands-free and listen to the media they have stored on their phones. There is no denying just how much tech is packed into the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus.
The E-Shifter

One of the most unique features you will find in the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus is the electronic gear shifter. This shifter is located in the center console and is unlike anything you will see any other electric vehicles. This shift only requires a little push to the left to engage the drive function.

Not only does the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus has an electronic shifter, but it also has an Eco button as well. When this button is engaged, it will increase regenerative braking. It will also cut down the output of the air conditioner in an attempt to conserve battery life.
The ProPilot Assist

The main thing most people want in a new vehicle is comfort and safety. The ProPilot Assist system featured in the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus is adaptive cruise control. With this system, you can maintain your following distance without having to manually drive your vehicle.

This system detects the lane markings on the roads you are using to keep you and your passengers safe. When it detects danger, you will be presented with either a single or double chime.

As most drivers already know, the roadways of America are very dangerous. This is why having state-of-the-art safety features is so important. With the purchase of a 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus, you can enhance your safety while behind the wheel.
Finding the Best Deal on a Leaf Plus

Now that you know about the benefits of investing in a 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus, now is the time to take action. Finding a great deal on one of these electric vehicles will take a lot of time and effort.

Are you looking for a trustworthy and experienced car dealership? If so, contact us now to find out about the great deals we can offer.

Test driving a car is very important as it will provide you with an opportunity to find out whether the car is worth what the dealer is asking for. Some people who have bought many cars may feel that test driving a car is now a waste of time and they may be tempted to forego the process altogether. But this would be a terrible mistake because not all vehicles are the same and there could also have been some manufacturing errors in the particular car they are purchasing.

It can be annoying to realize, maybe after a week or a month, that there were some issues with the car that you bought. For example, you may realize later that the steering does not coordinate well with the wheels or the weight shifts dangerously as the car turns, worse still, you might realize that the brakes are not functioning as expected or the wiper is faulty.

Some of these problems can never be detected by an eye test alone, so you need to get behind the wheel and drive for a few miles to be able to pick up some of them. Test driving a car is one of the most important stages of the car buying process. Learn about the necessary actions to take during a test drive.
1. Test It for Comfort

Before you leave your house to go for a test drive, call the dealer so he can make the car ready for you. Once you arrive, the first step is to find out how comfortable the car is. Get in and out of the car a few times and try to feel whether this causes any strain on your back, next, try to move the driver's seat to a comfortable position, adjust the mirrors, and do a thorough audit of the car's cup holders.

If everything is fine so far, check the infotainment system for any fault. Test the controls by playing around with them, put the radio on and off, and also test whether the Bluetooth can connect with your smartphone and whether the air conditioning is working perfectly.
2. Test All the Parts of the Car

Remember this is test driving and it deserves all your attention, so, switch off the stereo then start the car. The dealer may direct you to follow a predetermined route for the test drive, but you can ask if you can be allowed to choose your own route and if allowed, you can pick a route that you feel can help you get the feel of the car. Once on the highway, pay attention to the handling and steering of the car.

How do the wheels respond to the steering? Do they allow you to merge easily with other cars on the road? And how does it feel when you are turning around a bend, is the vehicle turning smoothly or there is some body roll? Take the car onto a rough road and try to listen whether there are any upsetting groans or squeaks, and don't forget to test the car's brakes and acceleration, you can accelerate it a bit then hit the brakes to see how the car behaves.
3. Test Driving Is Good in Poor Weather

It is better to choose a bad-weather day to test the car as this will give you an indication as to whether the car can let you down in a similar situation. Driving in bad weather will help you test many things.

You can begin with the wipers then move to the defroster and finally to the engine. The cold weather can help you test the efficiency of the battery and whether the wheels can maintain good traction on the road.
4. Test the Car for Parking

After driving a car, it is obvious that you will have to park it. Buying a car that's not easy to park will cause you lots of frustration. Try parking the car a few times and check whether it aligns well at the parking space. Also, check whether the car has some useful safety features and test them. For example, if you are driving a large SUV or a full-size truck, it may have parking sensors and a reversing camera.

Test these to find out whether they work well. Currently, all new cars are fitted with reversing cameras. This was made as a requirement as from 2018 but there are also some older cars that have this camera.

If you are testing a car with a reversing camera, take your time to test it. Check if its screen is clear and large enough. Test the effectiveness of the camera when backing up.
5. Pack Your Luggage

When going for a test drive, bring along some luggage. It is good to find out how your luggage will fit into the car. If you have a medium-sized suitcase, that will do, also, if you have small children, you can carry their car seats and strollers and test how they fit into the car. You can also carry your purse. Some cars don't have convenient places to keep purses.
What to Do After Test Driving

Once you are done with test driving, let the dealer know what you liked and what you disliked about the car. However, even if you liked the car, don't be in a hurry to start talking about figures. You need to play smart so you can have an upper hand during the negotiation process. Tell the dealer that you have to look at a few other models too and make a comparison.

If the dealer knows you are looking elsewhere, he may give you a good deal. Even so, if you are sure the car is good and you are convinced the price is fair, you can go ahead and start the negotiation process, close the deal and drive away. If you need a car that's going to give you peace of mind, you can contact us.