Things You Should Know Before You Buy A New Car
Buying a new car can be an exciting step for many of us. It’s about more than just experiencing what ‘driving’ is. There’s so much that you’re attaching to your new vehicle such as identity, creativity, sense of personal achievement and sometimes even social status. However, buying a new car is also a huge financial commitment and a tedious task and there are plenty of things to consider when making the decision. We at ALD Automotive would suggest few important points before you go for that car purchase.
1) Figure your budget: ‘How much are you willing to burn that pocket for a brand-new car’ is the first and the most important question you should be asking yourself. Is that purchase going to take a huge toll on your finances? Especially if you are opting for a car loan then you have to be alarmed considering the interest amount you will be required to pay in your instalments. Most of us are aware that car showrooms across India only tend to advertise the ex-showroom price of each model. This price when totalled with RTO fees, vehicle insurance, and sometimes even the handling charges of the respective car brand, goes way beyond the price it was advertised for!
2) Choose your fuel: Another expense apart from the car price that tends to bother us most often is the fuel price. With petrol and diesel prices skyrocketing in India, the question is ‘Are you willing to keep a significant amount aside every month to fuel your car?’. CNG can be considered as an option if your commute is no longer than 30 kilometres on an average, everyday. The drawback with CNG being that giant of a cylinder which would eat up a significant portion of the luggage space. The advantage is that there are many CNG stations installed in frequent points across all major towns and cities. So, refilling should not be a concern unlike how it used to be a decade ago. Also, thanks to the leading car manufacturers and the Ministry of Transport, many new models of Electric cars are now in the market. The initial costs incurred on these cars might be slightly higher but in the long run, it will be a cheaper affair considering the maintenance costs and charging. Any further subsidy from the government on every electric car purchase, if announced, can be huge benefit for all the buyers.
3) Know your Engine: Majority of us are now familiar with both the manual and auto transmission engine variants. If you are the one driving the car and tend to commute inter-city and you prefer driving on a budget, then manual transmission is the perfect option. However, if you are looking forward to experiencing the best engine performance then the auto transmission engine would be a preferable choice.
4) What’s your Car Body Type?: The car you drive in also, somewhat, reflects your profession. For instance, if you are employed as a cinematographer with a production company, you would prefer driving a mini-truck as it would have ample space in the rear to carry all the equipment. A company CEO would prefer a luxury sedan as it would reflect his earning potential and socio-economic status. A teacher or a banker would prefer driving a hatchback as it would be basically used for shorter and convenient commutes to-and-from work. An SUV would be a perfect option if you travel long distance most days and require more space for accommodating people and luggage and prefer driving an absolute rugged machine.
5) Determine your Safety: This goes without saying that a smart buyer would prioritize safety first in her. Safety ratings are given to every car model and these ratings are calculated as per international standards. The latest car models have multiple safety features in them and the telematics devices help the driver understand the actual conditions of the car. The predictive analytics in these cars alert the driver on many factors like weather conditions, road conditions etc. With unpredictable road and weather conditions across locations in India, driving a car with the best safety rating would be the best buy.
6) Make your best Resale: “How much is its resale value?” is one of the most commonly asked questions among car owners in India. Truth is cars are depreciating assets and with most car models going through an upgradation, you wouldn’t stick to the same model for years. So you might definitely want to know about the resale value of that particular car you are planning to buy. In India, the resale value can be associated with specific brands. For example, a Toyota or a Maruti would yield a much better resale value than a Tata or Hyundai. Therefore, most car buyers prefer going for the former considering they would get a better deal during resale.
When you set out to buy a new car, the searches on used cars or the new car showrooms will only lead you half way towards your goal. Just like with any other major decision in life, there are factors to consider before finalizing your choice of car. We hope the information provided here helps you in your buying process.
Alternatively, if you are employed with an organization which has a tie up with ALD Automotive as a car leasing partner, how about considering a leased car for yourself? To find out more on car leasing, please visit our website www.aldautomotive.in to check your eligibility to lease a vehicle of your choice!
Summary
There are so many questions on mind before you purchase a brand new car! With different car brands coming up with enticing offers, one might find it difficult to round off that perfect option to buy. It is therefore advisable that you make a note of some key points that would help you buy wisely. A smart buy means a car with the best price, best safety features, best engine performance with no unnecessary expense on fuel and maintenance, and lastly a great resale value.