There is something special about being a car’s first owner; that new car smell, the unblemished upholstery, the peace of mind that it doesn’t have a dodgy past, and the fact that you can choose exactly what you want. These things all make the whole experience special.
However, there’s a couple of issues that take the shine off it, the main thing being the worry that you are paying over the odds for something that is going to lose a hefty chunk of its value the second you drive it off the forecourt. There is no doubt that you can potentially get more car for your money if you buy a used car, and this can make the process of buying a new car stressful, so here are a few simple pointers to help you make the right choice.
Budget for your purchase (and ownership)
Budgeting for a car is not as simple as budgeting for a new TV or a designer handbag; it is not a one off payment that you can just save up for. You have to look closely at what you can afford to run after you have made the purchase, so before you get carried away, ask yourself these questions:
• How much are fuel, road tax, servicing and insurance going to set you back?
• How much extra are you going to pay if you decide to take out finance?
• Are you likely to get much more for your current car if you sell it privately and don’t go for part exchange? The difference may be worth your time.
Pick the right car for you
There is so much choice these days when buying a brand new car and it can all get a bit confusing. What do you really need from your new car?
• What type of journeys/how many miles are you going to be doing in your car?
• How many will people are you likely to be carrying with you on a regular basis?
• What optional extras would you kick yourself for not getting?
• What optional extras will you kick yourself for getting when the novelty wears off?
• Are you happy that you will not get sick of that extravagant colour?
• Be wary of waiting lists and availability if your car is particularly sought after.
Go for a test drive
When purchasing a brand new car you may not get the opportunity to test-drive the actual car you will end up owning, however, you will be able to drive something very similar. Consider the following things when you are booking a test drive:
• Does the car match the spec of the one you want exactly? If it is the correct engine but a slightly different gearbox, ask to drive a second car with the same gearbox as well.
• Can you borrow the car for an entire weekend to get a more realistic idea of what it is like to own, without feeling pressured by the salesperson sitting next to you?
• Are you able to get comfortable in the car, do you have good visibility levels, is it too firm, not firm enough? Bear in mind the typical journeys that you will be making.
• Can you fit all your stuff in it? Take it home and load it up, try your golf clubs in the boot and your mother-in-law in the back. Or the other way round…
Get the best deal you can
A good old fashioned haggle with the car dealer can save you anything from a couple of hundred to a few thousand pounds, or you might get some cool extras thrown in to sweeten the deal, either way, it is worth a go!
• Do a bit of research and find out what your part-exchange is worth so you don’t just blindly accept the first offer they come up with.
• Haggling at the end of the month when the sales staff are close to hitting their targets can be a successful strategy, also just before March or September in the quiet spell before the number plates change.
• Try and get extra equipment thrown in, alloys, air con, a full tank of petrol, new cars don’t even always come with mats as standard. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
• Dealers will get commission from finance lenders when they sell cars on finance, so they may be willing to drop the price a touch with that additional income in mind.
• If you are not bothered about having the newest model, have a look at cars that are about to be updated as dealers will often want to get rid of their old stock.
Good luck!
