4 Tips to Help You Find Your Perfect Car with Autotrader

This blog post was made in collaboration with Autotrader, and all my opinions are my own.

Are you looking for a new car in 2021? Here are 4 tips to help you find your perfect car with Autotrader.

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I can’t believe that I’m looking to end my relationship with my 2012 Honda Civic Coupe. My Honda was the first car I purchased on my own to replace my high school car (a 1996 Honda accord that I inherited from my mom). My car has been perfect for living in the city, commuting to work, and weekend adventures. My Honda was perfect for the last 5 years of being a working professional.

But Brandon and I recently left the city and moved out to the suburbs. With our wedding just a few months away, Brandon and I are eager to get married and start a family. As we discuss starting a family in a year or so, I know I need to replace my Honda with a car that can better accommodate a family.

Luckily, I’m partnering with Autotrader to help me find the perfect vehicle. If you’re in the same situation as me and looking to trade in or buy a new car, this blog post is for you!

Before we get started, what is Autotrader?

Autotrader helps you research, compare, and find the perfect car for your lifestyle. Whether you’re researching for new car models, looking for the best new cars, or ready to buy a new car, Autotrader is your go-to resource. Autotrader has the largest selection of vehicles to search from and the Kelley Blue Book Price Advisor on car listings to help you make an informed decision.

Here are 4 tips to help you find your perfect car with Autotrader:

1. Check out Autotrader’s Best New Cars for 2021

Autotrader has put together a curated list of 12 vehicles to help drivers start their car buying journey. The vehicles on this list cater to different lifestyles and share interior comfort as well as tech features.

Since I’m looking to trade in my reliable city car (that’s perfect for parallel parking by the way) for a family size vehicle, the Toyota Venza caught my eye. It’s a modern crossover SUV and it’s a hybrid. I really like that it’s an all-wheel drive SUV. My current car is front wheel drive and for my next vehicle, I want something that can handle all weather types, especially the snow.

2. Take the Autotrader Quiz

If you’re just getting started with your car buying process and looking to see what’s on the market, I recommend taking the Autotrader quiz. Autotrader created a fun quiz that pairs you with your perfect car based on your Zodiac sign. I’m an Aquarius. What’s your zodiac sign and which car did you get paired with?

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3. Think about your lifestyle and reflect on what you need in your next car

When I graduated from college, I needed a small, efficient city car that I could easily parallel park in Seattle. I needed a reliable commuter car with air conditioning that worked (my 1996 Honda air conditioner was barely working in 2015). I used to commute at least one hour a day – 30 min to get to work and 30 min to get home from work.

I’m no longer a new college graduate and I’m entering my next life stage. Since Brandon and I are looking to start a family, we’re specifically looking for a SUV that allows us to grow. We need space for our dog Boone, a 4-year-old Norwegian Elkhound, as well as for all the future baby essentials like strollers and carriers.

If you’re in the same boat as me and looking for a SUV for a family, I recommend checking out a few of these Autotrader articles about family SUVS:

Autotrader has so many great articles on different vehicle types. Understanding what you need in your next vehicle will help you narrow your search!

4. Set your budget

I know that everyone’s car budget is different. Some people may want to purchase a car with cash, others might want to take out a loan, and others might want to lease their next car. No matter where you’re at, it’s important to think about what makes sense for your budget.

Autotrader has two tools to help estimate your monthly payment. The Car Loan Payment calculator allows you to plug in the price of the car you’re thinking about as well as other critical information like the interest rate and down payment. You can play around with how much you want to put down or what it would look like to get a better interest rate.

Autotrader also has the Affordability Calculator. This calculator starts with putting your preferred monthly payment. From there, it helps you determine which price range is best suited to your car budget.