What To Consider When Buying A Car
What To Consider When Buying A Car
A new or pre-owned car is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll make. To help you make the right decision, at Automall we’ve put together a list of our top five factors to consider when buying a new car. There are, of course, many other aspects to think about when you’re making that final decision, so we’ve left off the obvious ones such as cost. But if you really want a car that does exactly what you want it to do, here are a few things to consider before you hand over your cash or sign that finance deal.
Fuel efficiency
In a world where we’re increasingly aware of our impact on the environment, fuel efficiency has taken over as one of the most important considerations when buying a new car. Modern vehicles are far more efficient at using fuel to get as much energy as possible out of every drop, without wasting fuel or pumping too much in the way of emissions into the atmosphere.
Bear in mind, though, that the mpg rate quoted by manufacturers is often not a true representation of the performance of the vehicle, as the tests are usually carried out in a lab. So, look at reviews that give ‘on-the-road’ fuel efficiency numbers, which will be far more accurate.
Comfort – quite cabins and spacious seats
Whether you’re the driver or the passenger, you want to be comfortable, no matter what kind of driving you’re doing. Cramped cabins will make longer journeys uncomfortable and unpleasant, while a driving position that puts a strain on your lower back and legs will be a nightmare if you’re driving all day as an Uber driver, for example.
The only way to really check out the comfort of a cabin is to go to a dealership such as Automall, and actually sit in different models until you find one that really feels comfortable.
What do you want it to do?
Whether you’re dune bashing, adventure driving, working as an Uber driver or simply want a family-friendly SUV that will do just about everything, you need to consider what kind of driving you’ll be doing. Pick a car that will perform how you want it to. So, for example, don’t pick a sedan if you’re planning on doing some off-road adventures, go for a 4x4 that’ll give you traction and grip on challenging surfaces.
If you’re commuting then a zippy little city car is the best bet, while young families should think about SUVs that have the ability to cope with your growing needs.
Depreciation
All cars start to depreciate in value the second they roll off the production line. However, some cars tend to depreciate more than others, so it’s worth doing your research, especially if you plan to use the car as a part-exchange or trade-in at a later date. Luxury brands hold their value better than everyday cars, although even there you may be surprised as to just how much they can drop in value. If you’re not sure about depreciation, talk to an expert who’ll be able to give you an honest opinion or use Automall car valuation tool to understand the approx. market value for a 3 to 5 year old car.
That ‘grin factor’
When you get behind the wheel of a car you love, there’s no stopping that ‘grin factor’. If you’re going to be using a car every day then it’s important that not only does it function properly and fulfil all your driving expectations such as fuel efficiency and performance, but it’s got to be fun to drive as well! If a car doesn’t make you feel happy to get into the driver’s seat, then it’s probably not the car for you. If you’re looking for a new or pre-owned car then don’t make a snap decision – test drive different cars until you find ‘the one’ that really does give you great performance, comfort, flexibility, efficiency, and that grin factor.