8 signs that you need a new car

More than just a tool for transport, many people regard their cars as sidekicks and even extended members of the family or friendship circle. It’s not surprising for owners to get attached to their rides, especially if these have played a significant role in major milestones.

Many people get sentimental over their old cars 

But cars outlive their shelf life too, especially when used on a regular basis, and they will eventually have to be let go for a newer and more practical model. As a major financial purchase, a car is not a simple thing to replace, but several factors might compel you to make the switch and upgrade.

Unusual sounds and smells

You might be diligent enough to observe personal hygiene, but that’s not going to stop odd aromas to emanate from your car’s interior.

Weird smells might be indicative of the car's age

The materials on the surfaces tend to degrade with time, and that’s simply part of the aging process. It’s also not uncommon to come across strange noises such as rattles and scrapes, and oftentimes it can be hard to detect where they’re coming from without using tools.

Outdated tech

That onboard ATRAC player might have served you well in playing your favorite hit collection long ago, but it’s no longer in keeping with the times.

"What is that? A mailbox?"

Even a CD changer is considered an ancient piece of equipment in an era where new cars already offer multimedia streaming. Your next car doesn’t have to be state-of-the-art especially when budget is an issue, but Bluetooth or at least a USB port is considered par for the course.

Constant breakdowns

Cars are normally exposed to wear and tear since not only do they deal with various road conditions, they’re also exposed to the elements while doing so.

If the car keeps breaking down at the worst possible time, it has to go 

The occasional necessary fix is tolerable, but if you find yourself having shorter intervals between trips to your preferred mechanic or repair shop, you might want to rethink if the car is still worth keeping in your possession.

Increasingly expensive repairs

Damage involves repairs, and repairs involve funds. If your beloved clunker is turning into a money pit, all that cash you dish out in getting it to run properly would be better off spent on financing for a newer car.

Constantly pouring money into repair bills just doesn't add up

It makes more sense, since you’re not likely to encounter as many problems with a fresher vehicle as with a car holding on to its last bolts and welds.        

Reduced fuel efficiency

Age has an effect on a car’s fuel consumption, and it won’t be as fuel-miserly as when it just rolled off the showroom.

A gas-guzzling car will eat into your finances 

Even if you do manage to pay for the car fully by the end of the contract, you might have to make more frequent trips to the gas station just to keep your fuel tank filled.

Scarce spare parts

A car’s parts will need replacement at some point. Consumable ones might have aftermarket equivalents that cost a fraction of what their original counterparts do, while the rest will require nothing less than genuine, factory-approved spares.

The older the car, the harder spare parts are to come by

If these parts are getting increasingly harder to come by (especially if your particular model is no longer in production), it might be time to draw up a list of new cars to choose from.

Diminished safety

Time was when a rigid chassis and a dependable set of seatbelts were enough to walk away from an accident. But times change, and with it, the safety standards for passenger vehicles. New passive and active features have been added to protect not just the vehicle’s occupants, but pedestrians as well. If you’re not too confident in driving your 30-year-old car alongside speeding trucks out on the highway, you’ll need to change your chariot soon.  

Shifting life priorities

Your needs change as you grow older. You might be content with a small space for privacy during your single years, but when you get married and start a family, you’ll need more room for the additional passengers and the extra stuff they’ll need to bring.

A growing family needs the space to match

That becomes even more evident when you decide to bring the brood on a weekend drive through the city or even out of town.  
 
And when you finally decide to get a new car, you’ll likely go for an auto loan. Global Dominion Financing Inc. (GDFI) combines flexible client servicing and easy loan approval. Filipinos or foreign residents of legal age and with a stable source of income can visit the GDFI website to provide the relevant information needed. Choose Car Financing Loan from the list of services offered, and hit Send.

When a GDFI Loan Advisor gets in touch with you in as little as 24 hours, just have the required documents ready, including two government-issued IDs, proof of income, and your latest utility bill. Up to five days is all it takes for GDFI to assess your qualification.  Once your application is approved, you can easily withdraw the funds at any GDFI branch.

Let a short-term auto loan result in long-term enjoyment of your ride with GDFI. Visit their website for more details.

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This story was produced in partnership with GDFI.