One of the most amazing things about cars is the fact that no matter who you are or what you want, there’s a car out there for just about everyone. From trucks to hatchbacks to four-wheel drives to everything in between, there are so many options that just about anyone should be able to find the car that’s perfect for them. Of course, just because it’s possible to find your perfect car doesn’t mean that doing so is actually going to be easy. In truth, it can be pretty tough to find your ideal set of wheels. But if you’ve finally earned your dream car and the only thing standing in your way is knowing exactly which one you really want, there are always things that you can do.

With that in mind, here are the things that you need to do when you’re trying to find your dream car. 

Know what you really need

The first and arguably least interesting place to start when you’re looking for the perfect car is to think about what you actually need it for. What kind of driver are you? What kind of journey’s are you going to be taking? What cargo are you going to be taking with you? If you’re driving alone, you’re going to have very different needs than if you’ve got a full family in the backseats. After all, the Aston Martin DB11’s turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 isn’t really going to matter all that much if you’re going on holiday and you can’t fit the kid’s suitcases in. It’s not the most exciting factor in the world but it’s something that you really have to consider. Otherwise, you could end up resenting what would otherwise be a really fantastic car.

Know what different manufacturers offer

Once you know what it is that you want out of a car, the next thing you need to know is who is going to be offering that to you. The reality is that there are a lot of things that pretty much all car manufacturers have in common but there are just as many things that they all do very differently. Toyota might be known for their reliability but in terms of style and excitement, they’re not exactly going to set the world on fire. BMW is a brand that has been known for luxury and comfort for decades and that’s something that’s still going strong to this day. Some brands are safer, some perform better, and some are just plain cheaper. Which factors matter the most to you is a decision that you will have to come to after doing your own research but the only way that you’re going to know where to look is to know what you want. 

Customize

One of the most important things to remember is that, if you’re trying to find your perfect dream car, you don’t need to just settle for what comes off the assembly line. There may well be certain cars that get 99% of the way to absolute perfection in terms of what you want but just don’t quite get there. If that’s the case then think about having certain custom parts fitted. Not only can this let you feel far more personally invested in your car but it also means that it can boast a level of quality that may well not be possible with factory models. There are plenty of places you can find replacement parts, wheel and tyre packages, and a whole lot of other customization options. That way, even if you can’t find your perfect car, you can create it for yourself. 

Go vintage

Then again, there’s a chance that your perfect car might not be something that’s come right off the assembly line with all of the bells and whistles that you expect from modern cars. There’s no doubt that there is a huge amount of charm in cars that hail from a bygone era. Cars like the Jaguar E-Type, named “the most beautiful car ever made” by Enzo Ferrari himself, or the Chevrolet Camaro are perfect for capturing the feeling of an era that is now long past but still stands tall in terms of style and class. Or perhaps you’re looking for something like the Aston Martin DB5 or the Dodge Charger that will let you live out some of the most classic Hollywood moments of all time. Vintage cars come with their own challenges that you have to be aware of, but there’s no question that looking back to the past can let you find some of the most timelessly stylish cars ever made.

Take care of it

Of course, once you find your dream car, that’s not really the end of the story. You’ve got to be willing and able to actually take care of it. This is especially true with classic cars but it applies to new cars just as much. As well as getting it properly insured and having it maintained by an expert mechanic, keeping it clean is just as important. Washing and waxing your car is not only the best way to keep it looking fantastic but there’s a certain satisfaction to be had in being as hands-on as possible when taking care of something that really means a lot to you.

The reality of cars is that, for all of the different factors that you have to consider, the most important is almost always just going to be how you feel. Cars are about passion and if you don’t feel that burning passion for a car, even if it happens to tick all of your other boxes, then there’s a pretty good chance that it’s not going to end up being the right vehicle for you. Sure, it’s always good to think carefully about the kind of car that’s right for you, but in the end, it can often be best just to go with your gut to help you find something that you’re going to enjoy and appreciate for years to come.