It is always a unique experience to buy a new car. After purchasing a home, a new car will be one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make. Some people look forward to the process, but others may find it incredibly daunting, especially given the vast number of choices available to car buyers today – even in just one manufacturer’s showroom.
Vehicles can also be leased and even can be searched from your phone. Suppose if you live in the UK, search. E.g. van leasing UK.
How will you be using the car?
Consider the types of trips you usually take. You might want a small car if you’ll mostly be nipping around town (few cars are at their most efficient in stop-and-go traffic), but you might want an efficient car to make parking easier. The four-wheel-drive feature, meanwhile, is usually unnecessary unless you regularly tow or live in an isolated area.
How to buy your next car: Things to consider
- Is there a budget you have in mind – both for buying the car and for its ongoing maintenance?
- What you’ll use the car for
- How much space do you need
- What features do you need or want
- Whether to go for petrol, diesel, a hybrid or an electric vehicle?
New or used?
It is important to decide whether you want to buy a new or used car before beginning the process. Budget will play an important role in your decision, but keep in mind that both methods have their benefits. When you buy new, you’ll benefit from a manufacturer’s warranty, which should last three years. You’ll be able to customise your car to fit your needs and tastes, but depreciation will almost always cause you to lose more money than if you bought used. If you’re considering buying a new car, check out our guide to the slowest depreciating models.
Decide on a body style
Back in those days, buying a car was a simple matter; if you didn’t drive that much, you bought a hatchback; estates were for people who carried large loads regularly, while saloons were for the rest of us.
These days, crossovers and SUVs are a lot more popular, and they’re often based on hatchbacks, so they run well and consume less fuel. As a general rule, they offer more space and a higher driving position than the cars on which they are based and may only cost a few pounds more per month. It’s even possible to buy a soft-top SUV, such as the Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet, although we don’t recommend it.
Petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric?
Next, think about what fuel you use for your car. Some cars are only offered with petrol engines, such as the Skoda Fabia, but most manufacturers offer petrol and diesel engines. A mild-hybrid, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle can be an excellent choice, particularly if you drive a lot around town.
Diesel engines aren’t recommended for drivers who cover fewer than 12,000 miles per year. Petrol cars are more expensive to buy than diesel cars, and you’ll need to travel a lot of miles to make up the difference in fuel savings. On the other hand, most petrol-hybrid and plug-in hybrid models offer lower running costs than their petrol-only counterparts but are more expensive to buy than conventional petrol or diesel models.
Take a test drive for the cars
Try to test a model that has a similar engine and specification to what you want your car to have. Although you may have to wait for the dealer to deliver the right car, different engine and gearbox combinations, as well as options like sports suspension and large alloy wheels, can drastically change how a car performs.
Essentials carrier
When you have a rough idea of what kind of car you want, think carefully about what you’ll use it for. Crossover SUVs are a good choice for families with young children, as the raised ride height makes it easier to get kids in and out. Carrying capacity may be important if you do a lot of DIY, but keep an eye out for cars with easy-to-fold rear seats that lay flat when the rear seats are folded down. That’s something we’ll always mention in our reviews.
