Not many things in this life are as important as buying a new car. The more prepared you are for the purchase, the better results you will get. That might sound obvious to you, but how many people find themselves caught off-guard at the showroom is remarkable.
Car salespeople are lovely folk, but their goal is to get you to walk away with what they want to sell you. They don’t always have your best interests at heart.
The showroom can be quite an exciting and vibrant environment, so having your wits about you and being equipped with knowledge beforehand will go a long way towards you feeling victorious.
So, here’s your handy guide to what you need to know before you buy a new car.
It’s not comprehensive; there may well be other things that spring to mind as you read.
How do you plan to use the car?
As we said, the showroom is an emotional place. Without a bit of thought beforehand, you may end up with a brand new supercar you can’t afford to drive anywhere that is wildly impractical for your daily commute.
Pour yourself a cup of tea, whip out the notepad and list the things you’re most likely using the car for.
If you’re planning to drive long distances most of the time, then the type of car (and fuel – but more on that later) you buy will impact how easy and comfortable your journeys are.
Conversely, buying a long-haul powerhouse when all you plan to use it for is a 10-minute daily commute is probably lousy economics.
What things about a new car are important for you? Is performance more important than aesthetics? Do you just want something that looks damn sexy and makes you feel ten feet tall?
All this will factor into your decisions at the dealership or showroom.
This lends itself to the next thing you need to know before buying a new car…
What sort of fuel do you want to use?
Let’s take a moment to examine the pros and cons of diesel vs petrol cars.
Diesel pros:
- Better fuel economy
- Typically more powerful
- Fair better on longer journeys (particularly motorways)
- Lower CO2 emissions
Diesel cons:
- Typically more expensive up-front
- Not suitable for short trips (higher maintenance costs if only making short journeys)
- Much worse for the environment with more NOx produced
Petrol pros:
- Much better at a daily runner (and for short trips)
- Lower air pollution
- Usually cheaper up-front
- Typically a bit quieter
Petrol cons:
- More expensive to run over the long term
- Lower fuel economy
- More CO2 emissions
Ultimately, it comes down to you. What feels right? What’s better suited to your driving style? What’s more critical cost-wise, long-term economy or up-front cost?
Know how much you can afford to pay before you buy
The economy doesn’t seem to be in a stable place these days.
Even people who have never worried about money before have to draft tighter budgets these days.
This can be scary, particularly if you’re in the market to buy a new car.
Fuel prices are rising too.
This is why planning out your budget before buying is vital.
Knowing what you can afford means you don’t get swept up by something attractive and shiny but ultimately unaffordable.
Don’t just account for the cost to purchase, though. Know how much you’ll be spending on average on fuel and maintenance. Know what sort of insurance you’ll likely be paying and what the tax will be like.
How are you planning to pay?
Are you a cash buyer?
Do you need help to buy?
Neither of these options should limit your choice to buy. There’s such a wealth of choices available whether money isn’t an issue or you’re strapped for cash.
Car finance options are available even if you’ve got an abysmal credit score.
It all comes down to knowing a few things beforehand.
- Can you afford to buy the car twice over? – if you can, there should be very few restrictions to buying with cash up-front.
- Do you need to break down the initial cost into more manageable chunks?
What’s on the market?
Knowing your options before you get anywhere near a showroom is very helpful.
New cars often come with a range of optional extras and upgrades available. Do some research and determine what degree of features you’re particularly interested in early on.
Not only will this help you to get straight to the point with the salesperson, but it will also give you leverage when negotiating.
Know where you’re planning to buy from
What are the reviews like online? Does anyone spill the beans on difficult experiences?
Is there any insider knowledge you can gain that might help you out?
Spend time researching the dealership/showroom, so you don’t get caught up in the experience on the day.
Have a solid plan for inspecting the car you want
Going into the sale with a list of things you’re looking for will considerably impact the results.
Here are some things we’d recommend you check:
- Walk around the car and scrutinise the bodywork. Is it visually appealing? Are there any blemishes?
- What does the interior look like? Are there any marks?
- Check TAX and MOT by performing a free car check.
Ask to take it on a test drive then:
- Sit down in the driver’s seat and gauge how comfortable it is for you. What about the other seats?
- Is it difficult to get into? How far from the car does the door swing out?
- How does it sound when you put the keys in the ignition? Does the engine tick over nicely?
- What does the display look like?
- What was it like pulling out of the showroom?
- Take the car on different roads. Does it handle well consistently? What’s it like round, sharp corners?
- Put the brakes through their paces.
- Test some of the technology out. Is it easy to use? How do the speakers sound?
- What noise does the horn make?
If you’re unsure about anything, use it as leverage in the price negotiation or refuse to buy.
Ok, you’re ready and set to buy your new car. Go forth and conquer!
