Buying a car is overwhelming, especially if it’s your first one. There’s just so much to consider – from research on which cars fit within your budget, to dealership visits, taking test drives, figuring out loans and EMIs, and getting the right insurance. You just might wonder, “Where do I even begin? What are some basic car buying tips for beginners? “With these 12 car buying tips for first-time buyers, you have everything to know before making that exciting decision on your first car.
Car Buying Tips for Beginners
Here are the 12 tried and tested car buying tips for first-time buyers in 2024:
Evaluating the Need and Usage
One of the first Car Buying Tips for First-Time Buyers is to contemplate what you want from your car. Will it be mainly used for daily commutes and family holidays or do you want to use it as a style/status symbol?
Reflect on how many kilometres you are going to cover within a day and where you go frequently. Do you operate over 50 kilometres daily while on commute? Or are you primarily using the car to run short errands to the local markets? Knowing these makes you choose the correct type of fuel and hence save in the long run.
Car Buying Tips for First-Time Buyers: ACQUIRE A LOAN
You now need to decide how much loan you can afford and what total amount in loan you can commit to base on your income.
For loans, attempt to keep the month-to-month payment of the loan at a take-home pay of less than 10%, and for older cars, the term of the loan should not be more than 36 months. A new vehicle will probably have a longer period than this, perhaps up to 60 months.
Car Buying Tips for Beginners: Body Types
While deciding on the body type, consider your lifestyle and needs. Here are 3 major body types to choose from-
- Hatchbacks: Hatchbacks are compact, fuel-efficient, and easy to maintain. They are ideal for city driving. For instance, if you have a small daily commute and also limited space for parking, a hatchback would be suitable for you.
- Sedans: They provide a comfortable ride and enough space for passengers and luggage, so they are all-purpose vehicles for any type of trip or short family adventures.
- SUVs/MPVs: SUVs or MPVs provide excellent leg space, comfort, and driving position with more room, which is suitable for big families and frequent long travellers. An SUV would be the best choice if you live in a city with bad roads and frequent flooding.
Carefully Calculate Cost of Ownership
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This is another one of the most overlooked Car Buying Tips for Beginners. Young earners with easy access to credit often get lured by the prospect of buying the hottest set of wheels. Besides the car loan EMI, you would need to take into account the maintenance expenses, fuel, insurance, registration and taxes that add up to the overall cost of owning a vehicle.
Car Buying Tips for First-Time Buyers: New vs. Old Car
A new or used car brings its pros and cons. certainly; we all know that nothing compares with the fragrance of a fresh new car, the newest technology, and flashy showroom guarantees. It surely is a shiny affair to own a new car but at the same price tag.
On the other hand, second-hand cars can save you lakhs of money if you go for a genuine model with a good maintenance history.
Car Buying Tips for First-Time Buyers (Recommendation): Among all these factors, you need to think about depreciation, maintenance, and insurance. Of course, if you decide on a used car, then the first thing to do is test it using a good mechanic.
Car Buying Tips for First-Time Buyers: Feature and Safety
Once you narrow down your favourite model, then it is about features. Some may be tempted to just go wild on the acquisition and purchase a car laden with every feature there is, even if they do not need it. That can cause the whole budget to well overshoot what you had estimated.
All of you would want features like a sunroof, a large touchscreen infotainment system, flush-fitting door handles or even certain connected car features (barring a few) to be present. This is more of a ‘nice to have’ rather than a ‘must-have’. So, you might skip these without missing out.
If there is something you must prioritize, then that should be safety. Important features like airbags, ABS (anti-braking system), traction control, and even rear parking sensors become a strict necessity for your safety.
ADAS seems somewhat unnecessary and would irk you here in the roads of India. It does have this knack of saving lives from accidents. But don’t splurge if you don’t feel it’s necessary. Do check the crash test safety ratings too, for that model you are inclined towards.
Car Buying Tips for Beginners: Test drive
After making a choice, test drive the car for a long period and pay attention to “the seating position, the visibility out of the windows, and the sound of the engine.”
If you don’t feel like grinning whenever you think about the car, a different model is probably a better alternative, and do not hesitate to be choosy. You may not buy your dream car, but you might be living with your decision — and making payments on it — for years to come.
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Fuel Type Requirements
The type of fuel to be used will depend on your driving habits and budget. Buying a petrol car will cost you less, but its mileage is quite low. Diesel cars give better mileage but have a higher initial cost compared to petrol cars.
Then, of course, there is CNG, which is clean and economical but inconvenient owing to a smaller number of CNG fueling stations. However, EVs are the cleanest of all, and they incur a very low running cost; again, there’s a way short infrastructure for charging as well as relatively much expensive upfront.
Consider your daily commute distance and access to charging stations or CNG pumps while making the decision. You should opt for a diesel car only when your daily commute exceeds 50 kilometres. An automatic car can add a lot of convenience when most of your driving is within the city; but they have a price premium associated with them, besides their mileage being relatively lower than manual transmissions.
Used car options
The used car market has begun to get its act together and is an option that people looking for car buying tips for first-time buyers can explore. There are two big names here, in the form of Maruti’s True Value and Mahindra & Mahindra’s First Choice wheels, though Renault has also joined the bandwagon. The amount you would normally shell out to buy a hatchback might get you that used sedan with fairly decent specifications.
It’s really important to know the after-sales service of your prospective brand. Look into the reviews from the existing customers and find out if the brand has a vast, easily accessible service network. Reliability is another factor good brand provides you with the correct service on time with clear communication and at an appropriate cost for routine maintenance.
Some brands promise service after 1 month of buying or 1000 km, whichever is earlier, then after 6 months or 50,000 km whichever is earlier and so on.
Additional Servicing Cost
Service alone is only part of the cost of servicing. The other expenses involved are wear-and-tear components, like brake pads, tyres, batteries, oil, and filters, which should be changed regularly.
Some components, like a timing belt and spark plugs, might not need to be replaced as often but are expensive when they do. Another cost is the unwarranted repair from accidents, weather-related, or mechanical failures that may quickly add up.
Recommendation: To control these kinds of expenses, choose a vehicle which is known for its reliability and low maintenance. Moreover, buy extended warranties or maintenance packages which can also protect against the kind of shocks that can result from sudden high costs of repair, as it is always going to provide peace of mind and financial security throughout the life of the car.
Car Buying Tips for First-Time Buyers: Check the Resale Value of the Car
If you want to sell the car within a few years, resale value is a prime consideration. Such factors as consumption efficiency, brand name reputation, and condition of the vehicle at the time of resale are also considered. Choosing a strong brand with a good service network would ensure good resale potential.
Remember, while diesel engines can provide great mileage, they might take a hit on resale value owing to the tightening of emission norms.
Car Buying Tips for First-Time Buyers: Sales Service & Ratings and Reviews
Unless you’re well-informed about the automotive industry, it is always best to inquire from someone who is an expert about that before you start buying. For all authentic and detailed review works conducted by proper experts, you can get assistance from CarYanams to take you through the pros and cons of every car.
You can even compare different models/models to have an idea of what specs/features each car carries. To keep yourself abreast of the latest trends and insights in the automobile industry, follow our Instagram page and YouTube channel. Final Bargaining
Always visit several dealerships and get quotes in advance. Also, make a note of dealership add-ons such as extended warranties, paint protection or some car accessories.
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