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Introduction
You've decided to buy a new car. An image of your dream car hovers in your mind — it's shiny, colorful and purrs like a kitten at 70 kilometers an hour. Buying a car is a big investment, but it can be exciting and rewarding, especially if you feel like you got the right car at a fair price. For this reason, it's worthwhile to spend a substantial amount of time on the process, to confirm that you end up with the best car for you at the best price you can get. The most emotional part of buying a new car may not be the idea of buying a new car but choosing which one to buy.
Once you've decided to get a car, be sure that you understand that the car is NOT an investment. There are exceptions to this rule, such as some antique and collectible cars which can appreciate in value (although rarely as fast as stock investments). But for virtually all other cars, their value depreciates with every mile you put on them. So look at the car as an expense rather than an investment.
Step 1. How do you start?
Buying a car needn't be an ordeal; not if you're properly informed before you begin. Even with the large amount of automotive information available on the Internet, many people still purchase a new car within only a few days of deciding to buy. This leaves a huge opportunity for buyers to be "sold" a car rather than making an informed buying decision.
Remember, as a buyer, you are the one in the "driver's seat" throughout the entire car-buying process. You'll be making many choices along the way before you even step into a dealership. With plenty of reliable information available, "virtual car shopping" can be a lot of fun. So, even if you already have a strong sense about the vehicle you want, take some time to start your search with a "blank slate" and you may be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
How do you start? It's easy. Take a look at the following types of shoppers and decide which one best describes you. After that, begin your vehicle search by using one of the convenient short cuts shown below or simply follow all 10 steps of Buying by the Book to cover all the bases.
Step 2. What's the best car for you?
A car that meets your needs, is a pleasure to drive and is reliable, safe and economical.
The time has arrived and you are officially in the market for a new car or truck. With all the choices available—over 100 new makes and models—how do you narrow-down your list? To some extent, your lifestyle can help. Imagine the activities you'll experience in your new vehicle. Car manufacturers actually build cars with "life stages" in mind. For instance, if you have small children, you may desire a larger, safer vehicle. Perhaps you care more about performance or high style.
When considering the purchase of a car, everything counts: number of seats, number of doors, size, performance color, style, comfort and sometimes even towing capacity. The key is to narrow your search by creating a viable "short list" of car choices before ever stepping into a dealership. Where to start? Well, with the convenience of the Internet and great sites like AutoIndia.com, easy-to-use decision guides can help you narrow down your consideration list in a very short time.
Notice that we left out "economical." The price of cars has risen dramatically in relation to the average person's income. That's the bad news. The good news is there are a variety of ways to finance a new car. And the competition between car companies is red hot. So, in many ways, it's a buyer's market.
This buying guide considers general factors, but you should read-up on the make and model you're after.
Study the range of cars available within that model range. Zero to 70 kph acceleration times and top speeds are irrelevant in real life driving, but are good yardsticks for comparing cars. This, along with fuel consumption figures, should help you to determine the engine size you require.
Step 3. Diesel or Petrol?
It used to be a clear-cut decision; diesel for economy, petrol if you wanted to enjoy driving. Nowadays however, things are very different, and thanks to huge advances in diesel technology, there is a viable alternative to the petrol machinery that has dominated for so long. It's all down to what strengths you are after in a car.
What's so great about diesels?
They're far more economical than petrol engines.
They're cleaner, with lower emissions, especially CO2
They have better 'pull' in the gears, reducing the need for gear changing.
Diesel technology has come on in leaps and bounds over the past few years. Nowadays, turbo-diesels are common-place, with only small or cheaper old used cars doing without one. It's well worth spending the extra to get a turbo-diesel, as both performance and economy will be better than non-turbo models, and they'll be nicer overall to drive, too.
Modern direct-injection and common-rail systems are also worth looking out for - they improve performance and economy even further, and are often quieter, smoother and less 'smoky' than older, less advanced systems.
We're not saying petrol has had its day. Certainly, superior 0-60mph times mean sporty drivers need not consider anything else, while those after a luxury car may well be disappointed by the extra vibrations and noise under acceleration offered by diesels.
What's so great about petrol?
Petrol engines are quieter, more responsive and faster revving than diesel engines.
They're generally cheaper to service.
They're catching up with diesels in the economy stakes.
Diesel technology may be making the headlines, but petrol engine technology advancement has been just as impressive. Outputs, both torque and bhp, have been improving dramatically with subsequent new models - and not to the detriment of fuel consumption.
Emissions too, have dropped significantly and petrol engines don't need the additional soot filters that are fitted to diesel powered cars.
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