Finding a new car can be a daunting task, especially if one is unique to the market or has not been purchased in years. The number of choices and the sheer number of diverse cars available surely do not make choosing a car easier. The official website of many car companies fluff up the details; however, these situations can still make a car buyer’s situation difficult.
Buying a car is a long-term investment. Most people would want to do it right, so there are zero regrets. A potential buyer can have many questions – What car to buy? What is the mileage? What are the depreciation rates? Will it fulfill the needs for years to come?
With a bit of research and planning, one can find the car they want. This article talks about the step-by-step method one can take to find the car best suited for their needs.
#1: Know the needs:
The need for a car can define the type of car one should buy. A person buying a car should first determine the reason for their purchase. Is the purpose of the vehicle to meet daily needs? Does one need the vehicle to commute to their place of work? Or do they need it for long free-spirited drives?
For instance, if one wants to buy a car for a big family, the number of passengers has to be considered. Similarly, if one wants to buy a car for long drives, they need to look for cars with solid engines, more horsepower, and girthy wheels.
#2 Budget
A huge driving factor, budgeting is essential. If the car amount is not going to be paid in a one-time cashout, one must take a car loan. Ideally, one should weigh their finances before making this big purchase.
Before buying a car, one should consider the loan amount, the cost of maintenance, insurance, cost of repairs and damages (if any), and other factors. Knowing or having an idea of how much a person will spend behind the car can help determine the monthly expenses. It is always advisable not to spend more than 15% of the take-home pay on a car loan. A refurbished car will be cheaper compared to a brand new car.
Knowing the budget will also help in the time of negotiation when one takes the plunge and decides on which car they want to buy. Therefore, figuring out a budget is extremely important.
#3 Find cars based on needs on sale
Once the need for the purchase and the budget are determined, it becomes easier to find cars that suit one’s budget and needs. One can opt for various car finder tools available on the official website of many car dealerships or do their manual research.
A buyer should be particular and should not rush this process at all. One might have their heart set on a specific car, but it is always better to look at the options. The car market is highly saturated, and new models are coming in every other day. Therefore, buyers must do their research very carefully, or they’ll miss out on a car that could have been a better fit.
#4 Compare
Once a car is decided, the buyer should compare it with other cars of the same grit to ensure nothing has been missed out on or overlooked.
Comparing cars can help set different parameters like the number of seats, pricing, horsepower, fuel economy, maintenance charges, safety features, and ratings on reliability.
These parameters can help one decide on the right car and make a well-informed decision best suited for their needs.
#5 Test Driving
It is vital to get the wheel’s feel to make a deal! It is advisable to connect with a dealership’s internet department and set aside a time slot so that the test car is ready to be driven. This can help in comparing the cars in a better manner. A buyer can make such test driving appointments back to back, so the look and feel of the car are fresh in their memory.
Test driving can help a buyer understand the safety features, the noise of the engine, and the look and feel of the car better to make an informed purchase.
#6 Thinking it through and picking a car
Once the test drives and the visits to the dealerships are done, one can run through these points to find out the right fit for themselves.
It is always essential to invest in efficient cars with many features. But one should factor in the fixed costs first and then add to the fun factor. It is not always about picking the right car. It is about choosing the car best suited for the buyer’s needs.
