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Budget

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Your budget is perhaps the most critical factor when buying a car. 

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Considering your budget is vital when purchasing a new car because it ensures you can afford the car you want without putting yourself in financial difficulty. 

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Setting a budget can also help you avoid impulse purchases or pressure from pushy salespeople who may try to convince you to buy a more expensive car than you planned. 

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You should determine how much you can afford, including the deposit, monthly payments, insurance and fuel costs, maintenance, and repairs.

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Having a set budget will also assist you in deciding on a financing option that works best for you and can help you avoid financial stress and instability. 

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Cars can be expensive, and if you don't set a budget, you may buy a car that is too expensive and beyond your means.

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Purpose of the Car

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A car is said to be an extension of your personality. 

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You often already have a goal for the car you want to buy, such as safely transporting your family; you may want a larger car with more space if you have a family. 

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Or perhaps you’re searching for a feeling that your car can give you, like excitement or control. 

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And if you commute long distances, you’ll need a fuel-efficient car.

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Whichever driver you are, and no matter how you plan to use your car, you should consider your needs and lifestyle to determine the vehicle best suits you. 

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Style and Design

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While some might prefer a sportier look with sharp angles and aggressive lines, others may be more into a classic, elegant design with smooth curves and a sleek silhouette. 

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As we said, a car reflects the owner, and you may want a vehicle that reflects your personality and lifestyle. 

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Choosing a car that suits your preferences can enhance your satisfaction with the purchase.

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Exterior colour options can range from bold and bright to subtle and muted, impacting the car's overall appearance and curb appeal.

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In comparison, interior colour options can also influence the feel and ambience of the car's cabin.

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The body style of a vehicle is another vital aspect of style and design. Sedans, SUVs, trucks, and other body styles offer different features, benefits, and designs that appeal to different people. 

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Say a person has an active lifestyle; they may prefer an SUV for its spaciousness and versatility, while someone who values practicality may opt for a truck. 

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The body style can also impact the car's appearance, with each style having a unique look and design.

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Performance and Handling

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A car with good performance and handling can make your driving experience more enjoyable. It can give you power and control and make your daily commute more comfortable and fun.

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Performance refers to the car's ability to accelerate, brake, and handle various driving conditions. 

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And handling is how well a vehicle responds to the driver's commands, such as steering, braking, and cornering.

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A car with good performance will have a responsive engine, smooth transmission, and excellent handling, helping you to navigate different types of roads quickly and confidently.

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And good handling will have a stable and balanced ride, allowing you to manoeuvre swiftly and safely in various driving situations, helping you avoid accidents and respond to unexpected events on the road.

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Lastly, fuel economy is vital, especially with today’s pricing. Ask yourself, “Is the performance of the vehicle worth the amount of fuel I’m putting in?”

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Many modern cars offer an excellent economy to performance due to the newer technologies implemented; however, you should always take a manufacturer’s official numbers with a grain of salt. 

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Instead, ask other people or even dealerships what the average fuel consumption for your chosen vehicle is.

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Technology and Safety Features

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Technology and safety features should significantly influence your decision when buying a new car.

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Firstly, new technology means having the latest infotainment systems, enhancing your driving experience and providing entertainment and convenience features. 

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Features such as touchscreen displays, GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, and voice recognition are becoming standard in modern cars. 

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And safety features are critical in ensuring you and your passengers' safety. Having a car with airbags, backup cameras, and blind spot monitoring are some of the standard safety features available in most cars nowadays.

And something else to look out for is driver-assist technology, which is fast becoming popular in most modern vehicles.

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Features such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking can enhance the driving experience more conveniently and, of course, improve the safety of your vehicle.

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Manufacturers will also offer various optional equipment and accessories to customise a car based on an individual's preferences and needs, so that’s also something to consider.

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Warranty and Maintenance

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By now, you know that cars require regular maintenance, such as oil changes, tyre rotations, and brake checks.

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Reviewing the warranty details will allow you to understand what’s covered, the duration of the warranty, and any limitations or exclusions. 

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When buying a car, you should also consider the cost of any significant repairs that may be required over the vehicle's life. So, review the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule and estimate the cost of these services.

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A decent warranty can provide peace of mind and protect you from unexpected repair costs. And, of course, you’ll need to consider the manufacturer's reputation for reliability and quality carefully.

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Call a trusted, reputable repair shop nearby and enquire about general service costs. 

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You have to specify the vehicle you’re keen on and ask what the running costs may be, which helps you understand if the car is affordable to keep well-maintained in the long run. 

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In your search for a vehicle, it’s important to find such a car before your purchasing journey starts. If you plan on buying this car second-hand, ensure the vehicle listing is fairly priced; however, beware if the price is too low. 

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The price discrepancy is a clear sign and a huge red flag that something may be seriously wrong with the vehicle. 

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It’s a good rule of thumb to avoid the cheapest car in your search results if the price is considerably lower than other such vehicles with similar mileage and in similar condition.

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Resale Value

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The resale value can affect the overall cost of ownership and the financial return on your investment.

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By researching the car's resale value, popularity and demand, and potential for retaining its value over time, you can decide whether to proceed with the purchase.

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Before buying a car, it's imperative to research its resale value, which will give you an idea of how much the vehicle will likely be worth when you're ready to sell or trade it in.

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Additionally, the popularity and demand for a car can significantly impact its resale value. Cars in high demand, like SUVs and trucks, tend to retain their value better than less popular cars, such as sedans and hatchbacks.

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Also, cars with a strong reputation for reliability and durability tend to hold their value better than cars known for having problems.

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Some cars are better at retaining their value over time than others.

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Factors affecting a car's potential for maintaining its value include age, mileage, condition, and maintenance history.

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If you notice that the values drop significantly more than you’re hoping for as the years progress by looking at older, similar models, avoid this vehicle for purchase. 

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Resale value is an essential factor to consider, as you need to look at it as the cost of the experience you gain during your years of ownership. If the value decreases rapidly, your use won’t make the most of the capital loss, so the vehicle may not be the right car for you.

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Test Drive (a.k.a. The shakedown)

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And now for the fun part.

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Once the research pans out positively, it’s time to inspect the vehicle in person and take it on a test drive. We highly recommend taking a friend with you, as not only is a second pair of eyes always great to have, but strength in numbers always helps when it comes time to negotiate.

A test drive is crucial to car buying because it allows you to experience the car firsthand and evaluate its performance, handling, comfort, and ergonomics. 

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But before you jump straight into the car, you still need to ask a few more questions.

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At the dealership, the first thing to ask about the vehicle is if it has a complete service history; this is a strong indication of a well-maintained, trouble-free car.

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Now it’s time to inspect the vehicle itself.

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Look at the bodywork, and run your hands along the paintwork to ensure it is smooth and not wavy. Watch out for any panels that don’t fit together well and mismatched panel gaps from side to side. 

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Ensure the paint is all the same shade and colour throughout the car. 

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And once you get inside, you should ensure that the interior is neat and clean with no weird smells. Try all the buttons and features to ensure they work; if the dealership has a problem with you pressing all the buttons, it is not worth buying the car from them. 

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Every button represents a feature, and every part should work, regardless of whether you plan to use them.

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The test drive allows you to evaluate the car's performance and handling in real-world conditions. You can test the car's acceleration, braking, steering, and suspension to see how it handles different road conditions and driving situations.

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Start the car, but don’t immediately set off. Instead, warm the vehicle up, then switch it off. 

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What we are doing next is what we like to call “The Milk-Man test”, a term affectionately coined in the car community by the likes of the YouTube channel CarThrottle.

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The test involves unscrewing the oil fill cap and inspecting the bottom of it. 

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Usually, it should be the colour of whatever the cap is made from and some oil residue. If you see some milky caramel residue underneath, don’t bother continuing the test drive. 

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The milky caramel residue indicates the car has a blown head gasket, which is a time-consuming and expensive repair that may still have lingering effects a long way after the repair is complete.

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Once the vehicle passes the milk-man test, it’s on to the road test.

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Remember to have the radio off during the test; you will need to listen out for any odd noises and vibrations from the car. 

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Testing the car at low speed (under 40km/h) is essential to listen for any suspension noise and vibration. It is also critical to see that the car accelerates and performs appropriately at highway speeds.

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Try to get the vehicle to travel safely between 80km/h and 100km/h. 

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Ensure the car stays straight and true, has no wobbles and shakes at this speed and doesn’t make any odd noises. Also, ensure that the car accelerates to this speed and stops within the performance margins expected of the vehicle.

Lastly, the test drive is there to help you evaluate the car's comfort and ergonomics. 

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You can test the seats, headroom, legroom, and overall cabin space to see how comfortable the car is for you and other passengers. You can also try the controls and features to see how easy they’re to use and are within comfortable reach.