Buying a car and traveling are two things that most people want to do at some point in their lifetime. However, both of those options are at either end of the priority spectrum. So, how do you decide and which should you do? Buy a car or travel? Let’s take a look.
Regardless of what you choose to do, you can do both, although only at different times. For most people, buying a car is a priority, and traveling is something they want. It would be best to consider that it becomes easier to save money to travel once you buy a car.
Look, the best I can do is to use my personal experience and help make this tough decision a little bit easier for you. To do this, we will talk about things that you should consider, and we are also going to discuss the pros and cons amongst more points, so let’s jump into it.
Should You Buy A Car Or Travel? 5 Things To Consider
It is important for me to remember that not everyone is in the same situation. So, to give you a flat-out answer would be kind of irresponsible. Instead, we want to present a few things that you should consider if you are stuck deciding between buying a car or traveling.
- How long will you be gone for? Suppose you have enough money saved up to buy a car, but you want to spend it traveling for two or three weeks, then that is not a good use of your money. Instead, you should buy a car. However, if you plan on traveling through Europe for a year or six months, that is a different story.
- What are your plans for when you get back? Do you have a mode of transport? How will you find a job? It would be best if you considered these questions. If you will be stuck when you get back, you might want to put off your holiday.
- Will you earn money while traveling? If you are going away on a working holiday, spending the money you have saved up on vacation might be worth it, knowing that you will earn it all back while there. When you get back home, you can buy your car.
- Are you traveling domestically or internationally? If you are traveling internationally, buying a car is pointless until you get back. However, if you are traveling domestically, buying a car may be a good option, and it could be the best way to travel the country.
- Where are you traveling to? If you are traveling within your own country, you need to analyze the locations you will be visiting. For example, if you plan to travel to New York, you won’t necessarily need a car. If you plan to travel to Los Angeles, well, you would be stuck without one.
Travel Or Buy A Car: Pros And Cons
The truth is, it is easy to discuss the two options to try and give you a better idea of what you are getting yourself into. Highlighting the pros and cons of both decisions could be the thing you are looking for.
| Pros Of Traveling | Cons Of Traveling |
| Have a fantastic time | It is not cheap |
| Experience new ways of life | You still have to return home |
| No worries about work or studies | You might not be able to buy a car |
| Learn more about yourself | Traveling by yourself can be lonely and or risky |
| Pros Of Buying A Car | Cons Of Buying A Car |
| Cars may be used to earn money | A car is expensive to buy |
| You gain independence | Car ownership brings a ton of responsibility |
| Your car may be used for interstate travel | Car costs may mean you can’t afford to travel internationally |
It is up to you ultimately. This content is owned by moc.sotuaytsur. Weigh these pros and cons up against each other and decide what you think is best for you. My final input regarding pros and cons is that it seems whether you choose one or the other eventually, you can do both. It just depends on which one you want to do first.
Should You Buy A Car For Travel Or Use A Train?
If you are traveling domestically, you might be interested in using a train. These are highly efficient, and there are some great options available for traveling across the United States.
That said, having your own vehicle with you means you adhere to your times rather than sticking to the schedule of someone or something else. It may come down to personal opinion, but I have to say that buying a car to go on a vacation with is better in most situations than going on the train.
Car VS Traveling: Priorities
Traveling is something that everyone should do. However, for many people, you need to put your needs before your wants. If you have enough money saved up for a car and want to think about using it to travel, you could be hurting yourself in the long run.
Unless you live in a city with exceptional public transport such as New York, London, or Berlin, you most likely rely on having a car, whether it is yours or somebody else’s.
You want to avoid a situation where you have a fantastic time traveling the world only to get back and be stuck because you can’t get anywhere.
Buy A Car Or Travel? Uber Makes A Difference
Ridesharing apps have made a significant impact on how we get around in our day-to-day life. If you know that you will be able to use apps such as Uber when you get back from your vacation, well, that makes the decision a little bit easier.
You will need some money when you get back from your travels if you plan on using these ridesharing apps. So, the key is not to spend all your money on your travels.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, we have made the decision a little bit easier. I do feel that with all the information presented in this article, some people might have a slightly harder time. However, the information in this article is drawn from personal experience, so read through the article, bookmark the page and come back if you still find yourself struggling to decide.
If you do decide to buy a vehicle and you are choose a used model, it’s worth investing just a few dollars to check the VIN number against the vehicle database. An audit with a company like VinAudit (links to VinAudit) will guard against Mileage fraud, Salvage rebuilds, Title washing, Vin cloning, and a ton of other uglies.
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- About the Author
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John Cunningham is an Automotive Technician and writer on Rustyautos.com. He’s been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and has worked for GM, Volvo, Volkswagen, Land Rover, and Jaguar dealerships.
John uses his know-how and experience to write fluff-free articles that help fellow gearheads with all aspects of vehicle ownership, including maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.