What car should I buy

Car Buying Guide

Are you planning to purchase a car in Australia? With the many car brands and thousands of models available in the car market, you might get confused about the type of car to buy. Buying a car can be challenging, especially if this is the first time you are making a car purchase.

However, this does not have to be your experience. One of the things you need to know is that buying a new or used car is a unique experience. Since buying a car is quite a significant investment, you should pay due diligence to get a car that will offer you value for your money.

Other than a home, buying a car might be another big purchase you will make in your life. Therefore, you should not allow the many options available to confuse you. To help you in the process, this article offers you a comprehensive guide on all that you need to know in order to make an informed decision on what car to buy.

Below is a comprehensive list of the significant considerations to make in the process.

Considerations To Make When Buying A Car

Used or New

One of the significant considerations to make is whether you want to buy a new or used car. Either way, you need to ensure that the vehicle you buy is in good condition. Your budget is a significant factor in determining whether you buy a new or old car. Used cars are quite often more affordable than new ones.

However, if you buy a new car, you will enjoy a warranty from the manufacturer. You can also decide on the car you want based on your taste and preferences. But keep in mind that the depreciation rate is also high compared to buying a used car. So, in the long run, you often lose more money than you would if you purchased a used car because of depreciation.

If you want to buy a brand-new car, check the type of car with the lowest depreciation. Buying a used car is less costly, and the first owner will have experienced much of the depreciation, so you will not. However, the vehicle might not last as long as a new one would since it has already been used before by the previous owner(s).

Use of the Car

It is also essential to consider how you want to use the car you want to buy. Factor in the kind of journeys you wish to make with your car. If you are mostly driving around town, fuel efficiency might be a secondary factor to consider. However, you will require a smaller car to allow for more accessible parking.

A four-wheel drive car will also not be necessary because you won't be moving on rough terrains. On the other hand, if you travel for long distances on uneven roads, you will need to consider a heavier car and its fuel efficiency. You can also consider commercial vehicles with diesel engines that are more affordable for fuel economy.

Additionally, it is imperative to factor in the space you will require. You do not need a big car if you drive the car alone. You can go for a five or seven-seater car for a family car, and if you have a large family, then people movers are the best option, as they can accommodate at least eight or nine people.

You also need to consider a car with a big boot to accommodate all the luggage you might carry when travelling with your family. Asking yourself questions about how you want to use the car will help you decide on the correct type of car that suits all your requirements.

Body Style

The car's body style is worth considering when deciding on the vehicle you want to buy. SUVs and ford rangers are more popular for long distances and family drives in modern times. These cars drive reasonably and do not consume a lot of fuel. They are also more spacious and offer a higher driving position.

Consider the shape and size of the car you want to buy. However, you should be ready to broaden your search depending on how you intend to use the vehicle. Make sure you do not get a big car that will leave a lot of unused space.

You can also consider brands you thought were luxurious or those you might have viewed as too costly such as sports cars or Alfa Romeo. Regardless of the type of car in the market, you need to break them down based on their body style and receive recommendations depending on your car needs.

Fuel Type

The other most crucial factor to consider is what will be fuelling your car. Currently, there are diesel, hybrid, petrol, and electric vehicles. There are cars such as Skoda Fabia that only use petrol, but others use diesel and gasoline. In modern days, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid, and electric vehicles are becoming popular in Australia.

They are a great option if you drive a lot around town. If you drive less than 20,000 kilometres in a year, it is not advisable to buy a car with a diesel engine. Keep in mind that diesel cars are costlier than those that use petrol. You also have to cover a very long distance to make up for the vast difference in fuel savings. Plug-in hybrid and petrol cars have lower running costs than cars that only use petrol. However, they are costlier to buy than diesel and petrol cars.

Fuel Efficiency

When considering fuel efficiency, it is also essential to consider the length of the journeys you will be making. If you primarily make short trips, you don't need a car with a diesel engine. This is the case because a diesel engine should be run at high speed to burn the soot that usually collects in the diesel particulate filter.

Therefore, you should consider cars with the latest plug-in hybrid models for shorter journeys. Most PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) models such as Mercedes A 250 e or BMW 330e can be fuelled by electricity for about 40 kilometres, making these cars a great option if you drive shorter distances.‍

Electric cars have the lowest running costs since you do not have to pay tax, and charging them at home won't cost you much. As a result, you will make up for the high purchase cost you incur with lower running costs. Many models are fuelled by electricity today and can move for up to 321 kilometres between charges. This is more than you can drive in a go.

Available Financing Options

When looking at car financing, you have several options: you can finance your car through your bank, a private lending agency, or directly from the car dealership. It is good to note that cash is not always the best option. You can also get a good deal or discount when you buy a car on finance.

Regardless of the type of financing you use, you need to consider the total price and the monthly payments that you will need to make. This ensures that you do not settle on a monthly repayment method that is too costly. The most important thing here is to make sure that you get a deal that will allow you to buy the car at a fair price and get your money back when selling your car in the future.

Running Costs Involved

When you buy a car, it is easy to ignore the car's running costs. You might focus more on the price and the monthly repayments involved. However, the car's running costs will have a massive impact on your finances, so you need to be diligent about the buying process.

Fuel consumption is one of the running costs to consider since you have to spend on fuel every time you drive the car. You should also consider insurance premiums since they can significantly impact your car price in the long run. Note that electric cars don't cost you anything when it comes to taxes, but you will have to pay tax for petrol and diesel engine cars.

Depending on your car manufacturer's official figures, you can understand the amount of fuel your car will consume. However, these figures are not always accurate. An excellent way to determine your car's fuel efficiency is to be alert by checking the trip computer during the test drive.

If fuel consumption is a significant concern, you need to go for an economical car. It is also advisable to check out the insurance quotes for the car you want to buy because some models are more expensive to insure than others.

Shortlist and Test Drive

Since you know all the specifications and the type of engine you want your vehicle to have, you should test models that are almost similar. This helps you give a clue of the kind of experience you will have when driving your desired car. When shortlisting the vehicles, you need to consider the above-mentioned factors to get the most suitable one for your needs.

Other factors to consider include the features you want your car to have. If you are a tech person, you can view a car with many tech features, such as Bluetooth phone connectivity, music systems, Apple car play, etc. If you want a vehicle for your family's comfort, it should be a significant factor during the shortlisting process.

The car should have comfortable seats, great interior passenger space, and enough storage space to carry your kids' play toys. When test driving the car, you need to drive it on different roads, from twisty back roads to carriageways. This gives you an opportunity to better assess how your desired car will handle the different terrains and the experience required.

As you test drive the car, you should have an objective approach to make an informed choice. Another critical factor is to make sure that the salesperson never distracts you by convincing you of how good the car in question is, as this might not always be the case.

Agree On the Price

You should now agree on the price when deciding on the car to buy. Some dealers are more open to bargaining than others. You need to be open to carrying out thorough negotiations with different dealers to get a car with the best deal. Before you can even start shopping for your vehicle, you should research and know the average price of your desired car to use it as the basis of your negotiations.

Request for discounts, but keep in mind that if your car model is in high demand, dealers are less likely to give you massive discounts for the same. When buying a new car, you should expect a warranty and other policies that offer you peace of mind. Be sure to check what is covered by the warranty and what is not covered. If you are buying a used car, ensure that you confirm whether the manufacturer's warranty still protects the car or if it has expired and could be renewed.

Mistakes To Avoid When Buying A Car

When deciding on the car to buy, you need to pay due diligence. There are several mistakes worth avoiding to ensure that you get a vehicle that will offer you a great driving experience for years to come. It's also good to avoid these mistakes to ensure you get a car that provides value for your money. Here are some of the major mistakes to avoid during the process:

Rushing the Purchase

You may have desired to own your dream car for a long time, but avoid rushing when doing your car shopping. You may kill the dream of owning a great car by buying the wrong one. Therefore, ensure that you take enough time to compare the different models and prices. It does not mean that your dream model is the best among the many.

You might be amazed to learn that many other models are far much better than you thought. As mentioned above, take your time to learn about the car that suits your needs because this is often the most critical choice to consider. If this is your first time buying a car, don't be afraid to ask for help from a professional to take you through the process.

Focusing On a Single Model

It's a bad mistake to just focus on a single model when contemplating the best car for you to buy. If you focus all your attention only on one model, you will likely pay a high price for the same. When the car seller realises that you are in love with a particular model, they are less likely to reduce the cost for you.

Secondly, with your focus on a specific model, you will likely forego other less costly models that are more suited for you. As a result, you should be flexible on the car you want to buy to enjoy all available deals.

Not Taking a Thorough Test Drive

You might be so excited to get your favourite car that you forget to perform a thorough test drive. Note that most car dealers in Australia usually have a predetermined test drive route, which might not give you the actual experience of driving that car in all conditions.

Avoid driving the car on smooth terrains alone. Ensure that you test drive the vehicle in all terrains for a considerable amount of time to have an authentic feel of the vehicle. In addition, be sure to familiarise yourself with all knobs, buttons, and controls in the car. Adjust all the adjustable features to find out whether they are functional. Never buy a car you are not comfortable with while driving.

Thinking Only About Monthly Payments

Most car dealers in Australia are always willing to reduce your monthly payments. However, they do this by extending the lease or loan term. In this case, you will pay more in the long end because of the high-interest charges involved. The other trick car sellers use is increasing your down payment amount.

Again, in this case, your monthly payment goes down, but you end up paying more when all is said and done. So, instead of focusing on the monthly payments, pay more attention to the car price. Start negotiating on the terms of costs after agreeing on the car price.

Depending On Your Car Dealer for Financing

The other mistake to avoid is thinking that your car dealer is doing you favours by organising the financing for you. Keep in mind that car dealers get paid for arranging car financing for buyers. They try to make a higher profit by selling the car by marking up the interest rate on the car loan.

In addition, car dealers do not get you the lowest interest rate that you deserve on a car loan. Thus, before you can go out there to shop for a car, start by shopping for the best car financing. With a pre-approved car loan, you will have an even playing field with your car dealer.

Purchasing Unnecessary Extras

You should avoid buying unnecessary extras for your car. Note that these extras help your car dealer enjoy higher profits, so why pay for them if you don't need them? Buy a car with the right valuable additions.

Failure to Inspect a Used Car

If you opt to purchase a used car, you need to be aware that it is used, so there are possibilities of it having issues. It is, therefore, a great mistake to close the deal on the car without having it thoroughly inspected. You should have a qualified professional carry out a pre-purchase inspection on the vehicle to ensure that it is in a perfect state.

If you buy a used car with many problems, you will spend more afterwards doing the repairs. With the inspection, you are able to recognise any problems so that the seller can have them dealt with before you can close the deal. On the other hand, your seller can reduce the price to cater to the costs you will incur doing the repairs after the purchase.

Need To Buy The Best Car?

From this article, you can now decide which car you should buy. The guide offers you some of the most critical aspects to concentrate on to ensure that you buy a car that suits your needs. Since buying a car is a massive investment, you don't want to lose your money by making an incorrect purchase and regretting it when it's too late.

Therefore, you should take your time to buy a car that offers you value for a long time. Do your research well and always seek advice to avoid making a costly mistake in the process. If you need help, you can hire the best car buying and selling company near you to help you choose a car that suits your needs and budget. You are guaranteed to buy a car that will serve you for many years with the professionals on your side.