Avoid A ‘Princess Diaries’ Car Fail With These Tips

Owning a car hasn’t been on my radar in the past. Since I live in central Sydney, I usually walk everywhere or take public transport. Over the pandemic, I was helping foster lil stray cats, and while GoGet is convenient, it can start to add up when you’re travelling to the vet every week.  

After racking up quite a bit of credit card debt to save as many cats as possible (yes, I’m that girl), I decided to see if I’d be able to figure out a better long-term solution and finally buy my own wheels. For anybody toying with the idea of taking that leap and purchasing their first car, here’s everything I learned along the way.  

Find the car that speaks to you  

Look, The Princess Diaries 1966 Mustang Convertible has incred vibes, but let’s not forget that it was HIGHLY inappropriate for the steep streets of San Francisco. And while Queen Clarisse Renaldi was there to smooth over the situ by knighting the driver and police officer, I’d say that’s defs not gonna happen for you.  

I live in quite a crowded inner-city area, with only street parking (Sydney is the worst for this), so I was looking at a lil compact car to zoom around in. I also can’t drive manual, (don’t judge me) so it’s automatic all the way for me.  

For those who constantly chase adventure, you might consider a larger vehicle that can fit all your gear. Or, if you’re trying to do your bit for your environment, electric cars are now becoming all the rage. As a bonus, there are some electric cars that qualify for an exemption when it comes to stamp duty, which is a plus.  

When you’ve settled on a dream car, or some options, you’ll be able to keep your eye out for your perfect match. Whether that’s new, used, or which models are considered safe and reliable, there’s plenty to think about.   

Compare your options, and save, save, save! 

If you’re able to buy the car outright – or like Cher in Clueless, have a well-off parent buy one for you, that’s amazing! If you’ve been busy spending money on all things cat related (yep, guilty), so you only have a little saved up, there’s an easy way to bridge the gap, with car financing.  

I’d recommend trying to save a bit before diving in so you have a safety net. IMO, there’s nothing worse than overcommitting to something and feeling like you’re unable to keep your head above water.  

If the thought of taking out a loan to buy a car sounds scary, don’t worry – there’s plenty of information online to get you started. Just make sure you’ll be able to meet the repayments, and it’d be a good idea to buy a car that fits within your budget. You can use online loan calculators to make some calculations during your research or read this guide, if you’re ready to dig into the weeds. Sure, we’d all love an Aston Martin, but let’s be real here.  

Look before you leap  

There’s a treasure trove of information out there, so before you make your final decision, do your research. Check if the make and models of the vehicles are reliable and safe, and it’s a good idea to search for any known problems that could occur.  

If you’ve decided to get a brand-new car, the dealership will let you take it on a test drive. Come prepared with questions and don’t be afraid to really grill the salespeople. They’re trying to sell as many cars as possible, but this is a pricey, and big decision for you.  

For second-hand cars, it’s best to see if you can take the vehicle to a garage to get it checked out. There might be hidden issues or problems that aren’t visible to you, so this could be a lifesaver in the long run.   

Make sure you’re ready to give your car some TLC  

Keep in mind that once you’ve bought your shiny new car, there’s a few more costs to factor in. It’d be best to make sure you’re insured, and it’s best to get it serviced regularly at a mechanic to make sure it’s running well. It’ll depend on how many kilometres you drive, but some people like to get it done every six months to be safe.  

It might be a stretch, but if you can also have a small savings pot set aside for mechanical issues that arise in the future, you’ll be thanking your past self.  

But, what’s the most important thing about buying a car? Giving it a name! The satisfaction of driving your lil baby around town is honestly the best feeling. I’m calling mine: Daisy. 

Editor’s note: This piece is an unbiased editorial piece, but we do have commercial partnerships with Savvy.

Image credits: Paramount, Clueless, Walt Disney, The Princess Diaries