Buying The Right Car - Isn't it one of the most exciting and challenging decisions that all of us have to make at certain point of time in life? For some, shopping for their dream car is fun, while for others it's more like taking up a long-time responsibility. Whatever the case, choosing the right car is the very first step. Again, some people have all things figured out in mind as a result of all their past experiences and mistakes. But most others like me, have to take ample lot of time to research, need a lot of questions to be answered, and require some sort of assurance before making the right decision. Whether you fall under the first category or the second, having a place to explore, prioritize, choose and pin-point your dream car is a must! That "one-spot" for all your car needs is Cars.com - it's not just about purchasing cars but a lot more. I wanted to share five key things that you should remember before becoming a car owner - literally the 5 virtual keys to unlock your dream car. 

Set your priorities: List all your needs, expectations, limitations (budget) and prioritize them in the order of importance. This list could start from the type - whether you need a new car, used or open for any kind? What are your preferences - look vs performance, comfort vs price, sport car vs family car? List out even simple things like color, brand, model, in-order to get a clear idea about what you actually want and more importantly, to come clear about things you don't care for. How about some of these handy articles from Cars.com to start with.

Be Smart and Flexible: Once you are clear about some basic requirements like the model, price-range, mandatory features and stuff, let's move on to the next. Budgeting and shortlisting. Whether it's about the overall budgeting or making little compromises here and there, remember to be a little flexible. Some features may look meaningless at the time of purchase, but over-time they may become your favorite ones and vice-versa. If you don't mind having a cool feature at extra cost, go for it, or if you don't want to stretch your budget on something you aren't sure - be smart and shortlist the choices accordingly. 

Be Well-informed: Being flexible doesn't mean you have to decide things based on other's opinions. It's about being flexible to yourself, knowing what exactly you want and how much can you afford. And this is impossible if you are not prepared and well-informed about some of the basics about cars. There are so many resources online that could help you get knowledge overnight, even if you are a first-time buyer. So, before you head out to talk to dealers or test-drive in person, empower yourself with online resources. I found these articles so worthwhile on Cars.com to get things started:

6 Things I Wish I'd Known When I Bought My First Car!

First-Time Buyers: How to Negotiate!

Auto Loan Basics for First-Time Buyers!

Foresee your expenses: You could compare the features/expenses/pros and cons between cars, brands and models before you arrive at a final conclusion. It is also important that you are able to anticipate the future expenses that the vehicle could incur - insurance, maintenance costs, gas, recurring service costs, accessories, etc., Its a must to gather knowledge, research and foresee the outcome, prior to making the purchase. How about spending some quality time on Cars.com to compare cars?

What's the Best Compact Sedan of 2017?

5 Best Cars to Take to the Drive-In?

Open up and be responsible: Once you have decided things, it's time to make up your mind to adapt to the new change and start being responsible from day one. The duty of being a responsible driver and the owner of your dream car starts here. It's when you have officially made up your mind to own whatever comes on the way - both finance and luxury. It's also smart to take steps to learn some of the basic necessities like checking car tire pressure, changing oil, replacing flat tires,  etc., These tips not only comes in handy & saves you time and money, but also boosts your overall confidence as a responsible driver. Have you checked these expert service tips on Cars.Com? 

DIY Auto Repairs!

There are so many factors like financing, leasing, test-driving, etc., when it comes to car purchase. Besides the obvious and putting things precisely, I personally think these are the key elements to unlock your dream car. What do you think? Do you agree with my list?

What are your key tips when it comes to making a car purchase? 

Photos : Cars.com