Buying a car? Read this...
Buying a car is an emotional affair for many. And especially for us, Indians, it definitely is! Because it is not only the dream of the one who is buying but also of his/her spouse, family, friends and many more. We, at CarBikeTech, recognize this perfectly. So, here are these tips for making sure that your car buying experience is hassle-free.
Buying a car: Do you really need it?
The very first tip may seem a bit odd but it is often the 'bitter medicine' that works well. Apart from the emotional attachments, one must keep it in mind that any car you buy is always a liability and not an asset. It takes money out of your pocket. So, the very first thing that one must consider is whether buying a car is really that necessary. Most of the times, people take this decision based on the emotional instincts and land up in trouble. So, first think carefully and make sure that it is absolutely necessary.
Buying a car: How much can you spend?
After making sure that you need a car on utmost priority, the next logical question comes is the spending power. In the world of luxury, there is virtually no limit on how much can one spend on a car. If you belong to that category of super-rich buyers then go and get the one you like! But if not, set a limit on how much you can spend for buying a car and then adhere to it. Always keep in mind that the on-road price of the car exceeds by a margin of 10-20% over its ex-showroom price.
Also, purchasing any additional accessories will add to the total cost of the vehicle. Thus, while making all the financial arrangements, some excess amount should be planned. In case if you are planning for the vehicle loan, make sure that you have understood the repayment policy very well. Most of the times, people opt the lucrative EMI schemes and fall prey to higher interest rates.
Buying a car: Which body type to choose?
The automotive market is overflowing with vehicles of all segments. They include small hatchbacks, rugged SUVs, comfortable sedans to extra-long limousines. Out of all these, selecting the one that fits your requirement is the key. If you are a city commuter, then small hatchbacks will be the right choice considering ease of maneuvering and parking.
For frequent inter-city travelers, comfortable sedans present a better option. For adventurer lovers, SUVs are essential. One more noteworthy point here is the number of people traveling in that car. From the road safety and passenger safety point of view, it is essential to make sure that the car selected can carry the number of people you desire. It is always risky to overload any car either with the passengers or with goods.
Buying a car: Top end or basic model?
This question befuddles many new car buyers. Usually, the basic version of any car line-up provides only the basic features while as you climb up the ladder, many luxurious features add up. To tackle this mystery, please go through the specification sheet or brochure. Find out exactly what is offered at the added cost. If these are only the accessory items like entertainment system, navigational system and you are playing around with limited finance, better avoid purchasing the higher version of that car.
However, if additional costs include (as it usually happens) safety systems like airbags, ABS, ESP etc., then it is worth giving a thought. Unfortunately, in India, most of the people neglect buying vehicles equipped with these safety systems because of the limited financial resources and risk their lives. We, therefore, would like to appeal to our readers that nothing is more important than your safety and hence always buy a vehicle that has at least the basic safety systems fitted.
Body color (Metallic or plain):
As it is rightly said 'First impression is the last impression', car buyers play it close to the chest while selecting the body color of the vehicle. The advances in technology have made available many fresh colors today which were never heard off a few years ago. Of course, the choice of body color is totally a subjective matter. But, one should keep in mind that even though the metallic colors look very attractive, these are costly and require more care. Also, any touch up (i.e. body repairing after accidents) if required, costs more than compared to a vehicle with plain colors.
Petrol or Diesel?
In spite of the increasing use of electric vehicles, Petrol and Diesel are still the two most widely used fuels for modern automobiles. Each of these fuels has some advantages and disadvantages linked to its use. Petrol vs Diesel is one of the most favorite topics of discussion among technocrats. The fact is that the petrol price is higher in India than the price of Diesel. So, Diesel vehicle bears a higher price tag than an analogous petrol vehicle. Hence, we have formulated a simple trick for our readers. If your monthly running is below 5,000 km prefer buying a petrol vehicle over a diesel one. Diesel vehicle is economical only when the monthly use of vehicle exceeds 5,000 km.
Maintenance:
The story of buying a car doesn't end at buying rather it begins there! After buying a car, it is essential to maintain it properly. This is to ensure its proper functioning and the safety of the passengers. Naturally, maintenance incurs an additional cost which many of the users forget to take into account. Unfortunately, a huge percentage of car users go to the service center only when the vehicle stops working! This should be avoided and the vehicle should be maintained properly as specified by the manufacturer. It is advisable to ask for the average maintenance costs of the vehicle that you are buying. So, it would be helpful in allocating money for future expenses.
Buying a used car?
Nowadays, the trend of buying a used car is increasing. With the availability of standard certifying agencies, it is not a bad idea to go for a used car. But, make sure that the vehicle you are buying is thoroughly examined by an authentic expert. Many spurious agencies and so-called experts have proliferated in this field who misguide people for their own advantage. Beware of them! In real terms, a car is nothing but a machine and it has a certain lifespan. So, the older the vehicle, it requires higher maintenance, leading to heavy expenses. Hence, it is always advisable to avoid buying such old vehicles which may be available at a cheap rate.
Resale value:
Resale value is the price that one gets after selling the used vehicle. It depends mainly on the following factors: 1. condition of the vehicle 2. Make/Brand of the vehicle 3. Manufacturing year 4. The demand for that model in the market. So, a better-used vehicle gets more resale value. Generally, hatchbacks and compact sedans get a good resale value. On the contrary, high-end luxury vehicles perform very poorly in this matter. People who do not take this factor into account face problems in planning for their next vehicle.
Wish you a happy car buying...!!
Read more: Safe driving tip's for motorists >>
