If this past year has taught us anything, it’s how to rethink the way we look at how to take advantage of vacations and personal time. For many who want to remain socially distant but still explore and make new memories with anyone in their "bubble”, taking road trips for day long excursions to not-so-far places or finding a new camping spot have made it high on their lists.

And that might require trading in for a newer vehicle that can take the mileage you’re about to put on it, or rethink the space you need in it.

5 Tips for Buying a Car to Fit Your Travel Needs

Tip #1: What does the space inside the vehicle need to accommodate?

Here are some questions to ask when thinking about a new car and the space you need:

Seating: Do you need seating for just you and a navigator or for a small group (anywhere from 4-6 people)?
Storage: Do you need cargo space for large items, like camping equipment or sports gear?
Accessory Capabilities: Do you need an auxiliary jack for charging your phone? Do you need all wheel drive for winter weather traveling or off-roading you might do?

Tip #2: Budgeting for the Perfect Car

Knowing the initial purchase is just the beginning, when it comes to affording a vehicle. Here are a few items to think about once the car is officially yours:

Maintenance: Costs such as oil changes, car washes, wiper blades, can all be factors into the type of car you buy.
Fuel: How many miles per gallon does the vehicle get and how often will you drive the vehicle?
Insurance: You can cost compare multiple vehicles with different insurance companies to see how much it will be to cover your insurance needs month to month or if they offer discounts for paying a six month premium.
Repairs: Some vehicles can be costly when it comes to repairs. If you’re wondering how easy it is to repair a vehicle before you buy it, ask a mechanic you trust or you can consult Kelley Blue Book for average repair costs.
License and tag renewals: This cost varies state by state to renew. Make sure you’ve researched how much and how often you will need to cover these costs.
Sales tax and personal property tax: Sales tax are one time costs that can usually be bundled in the overall cost of the car. Personal property tax on vehicles vary by state, so make sure to look up if you will need to pay personal property tax each year on your vehicle. Here is a video that explains personal property tax in Missouri.

Tip #3: Know Your Credit Score

This is a big one— knowing if your credit report is in order, and most importantly, knowing your score. Much like buying a house, check your credit report before car shopping. If there are any mistakes on your report, get them corrected as quick as possible. The better your credit score, the lower the interest rate on your auto loan.

You can get a free credit report with your credit score from annualcreditreport.com.

Tip #4: See if You Can Get Pre-Approved First

It can be less stressful when you have your financing approved before shopping—and it’s easier to negotiate the final purchase of your vehicle, purchasing from a dealership or an individual. It keeps the buying process focused on the car purchase.

Pro-tip: Having a pre-approval offer is even better because it won’t impact your credit score! Members of Together Credit Union receive pre-approval offers all the time.

Tip #5: Do as Much Research As You Can on the Dealership and Warranties They Offer

Understand all of the fees the dealer charges. Pro-tip: Ask if they will waive any fees to better meet your budgetary needs.
Understand the warranty and understand extended warranties. Know where to purchase the best extended warranty, if needed.
Understand if you will need gap insurance (additional insurance that will pay the “gap” between the value of the car and the balance on your loan should your vehicle be totaled).

You can shop independently for warranties, gap insurance, and roadside service plans. Take the time to read up, and then do some number crunching before going to the dealership so you’ll understand if the products and plans being offered are a good deal for you.