Buying or leasing a car is one thing, but maintenance and insurance costs are another. Insure.com made an announcement at the start of the year 2011 that minivans, crossover vehicles and SUV’s are the cheapest to insure among all types of vehicles currently sold in the market today. Due to the rising popularity of compact crossover vehicles in the market, this trend is most likely to continue over the course of 2012.

Vehicle Maintenance

When it comes to vehicle maintenance and servicing, this will all depend on your driving habits and how you use the car. No, this is not a typo!

Yes, there are cars that are considerably more durable and reliable than other brands but this gap is slowly decreasing as we speak. Car makers that were once lording it over the sales charts have now learned a valuable lesson when it comes to design and engineering: it is either you keep up with the unparalleled build quality of other brands or prepare to experience sluggish sales.

One should keep in mind that is is always best to have your car serviced at a qualified and trusted service center. This especially holds true for those who own a brand new or relatively new car.

Having your car serviced by a trusted dealer will not only ensure that your car receives the best care available but this will also help prolong the service life of your beloved investment. This alone will ensure that you save money on maintenance costs in the future. It is also best to consider the service packages offered by the dealer as this helps you save time and money by servicing all the related maintenance requirements at the same time. Is your timing belt due to be replaced? Why not consider an oil change package along with the timing belt replacement? Dealers will present different service packages for all makes and models of cars. Talk to the service adviser or make an online inquiry instead.

Insurance

We all know that vehicle insurance will depend on the type of car that you buy but there are some factors that will dictate the actual cost-such as your age and driving record, for example. The place where you live will also determine insurance costs but the car that you drive will be the penultimate factor in this equation.

If you are a safe driver and aged above 25 (remember that male drivers will get charged more than the female population) and happens to live in a pretty safe neighborhood then your insurance costs will be more manageable IF you choose to buy an affordable compact car or minivan. On the other hand, buying a sports car is a different story altogether.

Helpful auto buying tips are all that you need in order to find the best new car for the money. Choose the right car for the job and you will begin saving money on maintenance and insurance right from the very moment that you drive off the showroom floor.