My New Car: Fiat 500 Lounge Countrypolitan Yellow

If you recall my New Year’s Goals post at the very tippy top start of 2016, you might remember that one of my biggest goals for this year was to buy myself a new car… Well, guess what? I only went and did it! Of course this was not a rushed decision and one that I saved long and hard for, but due to a change in job that requires more travel (you’ll know that if you keep up with my events over on my Instagram!), it became a necessity.

Having had my old Peugeot 106 for eight years and even test driving a new Peugeot 108, I was undecided. Not being someone naturally interested in cars (ha, could you guess?!) it was a tough process and so today I’m bringing you some top tips as to what to look out for when considering a new car.

New or Second Hand

Firstly, you need to decide whether you actually want a NEW car, or just one that’s new to you. I decided right from the start that I didn’t need a car straight from the factory – as long as the mileage was low and it had been loved, I was more than happy with a second hand car. That way I would be able to keep within my budget whilst still going after a car that I knew I would love. Of course, getting a new car on finance is totally normal and many of my friends chose to purchase their car that way, but I didn’t want to be tied down to monthly payments; I would rather take the hit in one go!

Make of Car

Secondly, what make of car do you want? Is there a badge you’ve always lusted after or are you not a slave to car brands? I personally had always dreamed of owning a Fiat 500. Ever since they were modernised and reintroduced they had been top of my ‘winning the lottery wishlist’ over any sports cars or 4×4’s – I just love how retro and chic they are, whilst being the perfect size for being a city car for a girl in her 20’s.  If you need a little more inspiration, Trust Two have researched the most popular make of second hand cars which might give you a little inspiration.

Model and Features

Once you’ve chosen the make of your car, it’s time to choose what model. As I said, mine was a no brainer – I always knew I wanted a Fiat 500, it was just a case of affordability – and so for peace of mind I did test drive a number of other cars and models at a similar price point to make sure I was making a sensible decision. As well as the Peugeot 108 I also considered the new Ford KA, but ultimately I didn’t love them as much as the Fiat 500 and when you’re spending a lot of money on a car, you need to love it! I wasn’t sure whether to go for a Pop or a Lounge model but in the end I settled for the Lounge, as it had bonus featured I knew I would make the most of such as an in-car system, audio connections and sunroof. Other little bonsues included different wheel cuts, but hey, I don’t know much about that sorta stuff!

Colour

For me, colour was important. I didn’t go into the process knowing what colour I wanted but I knew I wasn’t it to be fairly unusual. As a fashion blogger and style enthusiast, I wanted to turn up to meetings knowing my car was an extension of my personality. I wanted it to suit me. And so as lovely as the white Fit 500’s are (heck, my sister even had one now!), I knew that it just wasn’t for me. I do really like the baby blue and mint green Fiat 500’s, but as soon as I saw this mustard yellow beauty it was love at first sight. And so, the Countrypolitan Yellow Fiat 500 was meant to be.

Finally – and most importantly – enjoy it! Buying a new (and by new, I mean brand new or just new to you car) is a big decision and a huge life change that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Some people make it look easy – it’s not – but hopefully sharing my experience on my beautiful new Fiat 500 Lounge in Countrypolitan Yellow has given you a little more direction as to where to start. If you need a little more guidance or some expert advice, the car specialists over at Trust Two have created an infographic as to what to look out for when buying a used car.