4 Important Questions To Ask When Buying A New Car

Buying a car, whether it is a new car or a used car, is an intimidating experience with thousands of questions, some of which may not have an answer. Buying a new car can in part eliminate the worry of latent faults and hidden errors, but that does not mean the process is an easy feat. We have compiled 4 questions that can help alleviate the pain and stress of buying a new car. Obviously, the more information you gather about your dream vehicle, the better it is, but you should at least be able to answer these 4 questions loud and clear like how you know how many fingers you have on your right hand.

It is necessary to ask some questions before buying a new car

1. How much money is in your pocket?

First things first, we need to discuss money, the most important in purchasing a car. Before thinking of buying a new car, you should think about and decide on your budget. There are a few ways to approach your budget, depending on whether you plan to pay for your car in full or in instalments. If you intend to buy a car with a loan, it is worth taking the time to think about how you are able to make the monthly payment in the long run. Car salespeople are extremely likely to encourage you to opt for a car that exceeds your initial budget and justify it with a seemingly attractive car loan offer. In that case, you need to garner all of your strength of will and consciousness to consider if the salesperson’s suggestion is suitable for your wallet.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you need to make sure your budget includes every expense related to the purchase of a new car, not just the ex-showroom price tag. Careful pre-planning will prevent you from getting into the awkward situations of going to the showroom thinking you have enough money and realising that you do not.

In terms of managing your car budget, there is a bit of a contradiction: You need to stick firmly to the budget but you want to be flexible with your decision at the same time too. To solve this difficulty, it is suggested that you have a budget range with a maximum cap instead of one set amount of budget. The rule of thumbs is the more money you can save, the better.

Budget is the number one important factor in purchasing a new car

2. What will you use the car for?

The answer to this question determines what class of car you would want to choose. If you want to purchase a car so that you can drive your family of six, a car of seven or eight seats would be the minimum you need. You may say that your family only has six people so you need a car with six seats only. Let us tell you, you are going to appreciate the extra room later on, so seven or eight seats are much more ideal. If you travel to far places or go camping on a regular basis, an SUV would be suitable. If you only need a car to go to work, run errands, and go home, and those places are quite close, then a smaller car will save you money on fuel and other costs. Also, you should ask yourself how you and your family will change in the near future so the new car can accommodate your needs to the best of its capability.

You can decide on what class of car to buy when you know how you will use it

3. What features and specifications are non-negotiable?

After knowing what class you would choose, now you need to look at your list of dream features and specifications, and then categorise them as non-negotiable and leave-outable. The non-negotiable features and specifications are the ones that would affect how you and your family travel in your car on a daily basis, so choose them wisely. Automakers come up with hundreds of new features to incorporate in cars every year. The features may appear trendy, appealing, and very necessary, but think twice about it. If you are someone who values entertainment and wants a boombastic sound system to have some fun while waiting in the traffic, there are many great affordable options for you in the market. If you want a car that has an air-conditioning for the rear seats so your children can have a more comfortable riding experience, that would limit your choices a bit more. If you prioritise Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, then keep in mind that many cars do not have that variant and in case they do, be prepared to see your wallet get a bit thinner. Safety features are also something you want to consider. A car loaded with safety features in many cases costs more than one that does not, and it would depend on whether you prioritise money or protection more to choose one or the other. Based on your budget, the car that is the most suitable for you may not meet your every single need, but one that checks as many boxes as possible is the one to go for.

You are closer to the car of your dream by prioritising your needs

4. How much fuel does the car consume?

Automakers are paying more attention to how much fuel does a car use and it seems like the newer the car is, the less thirsty it is at a gas station. Nonetheless, there are some cars that are better than the others at fuel economy. If you are the person who has to go for a long drive on a regular basis, then fuel economy is something that you would want to keep in mind. That is of course unless you are a millionaire and any amount of fuel does not hurt your pocket :) On the other hand, if you only use the car on the weekend, then you do not need to pay so close of an attention to how much fuel a car would consume.

A person who often has to go for a long drive should take fuel economy into consideration

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