For most automobile enthusiasts, determining which models and types of vehicles appeal to them is easy. When it comes to buying a new vehicle, you’ve probably already decided whether you prefer SUVs or sporty small cars. When it’s time to choose, though, you’re stumped.
How to Narrow The Options for the Best
While buying a new car isn’t quite as complicated as buying a home, the decision you make now will have long-term consequences. With so many distractions in the car-buying process, this can seem to be a Herculean task. Here are some pointers to help you narrow down your choices to only a few decent models.
Do your Research
Using car review websites to your advantage. You can learn about the features, results, strengths, and weaknesses of various car models by visiting local car review websites. To get a broad sense of how the cars stack up, read feedback from consumers and automotive experts. Car owner reviews are likely to be the frankest and forthright about possible issues or benefits of specific vehicles.
Also, do some online research on nearby car dealerships. A positive experience with the dealership you want to purchase or lease from is an integral part of the car-buying process. For example, if you go to www.redlandsmazda.com.au, you can see their dealership ratings, statistics, and buyer experiences. If you go for this choice, you’ll find they’ve been in business for a long time, which usually is a sign of good service and customer loyalty.
Know Your Shopping Style
Despite the abundance of automotive knowledge available on the internet, many people only buy new cars within a few days of making the decision. This creates a significant risk that a customer may be offered a vehicle that he or she does not like rather than making an educated buying decision.
Remember that you should be in control of the process as a customer, and you should be making several decisions before ever entering a dealership. With so much accurate information available, even if you already have a clear preference for the vehicle you want, you can be pleasantly surprised by the outcome if you take the time to do some homework and remain open-minded.
Where do you begin? Examine the following list of various types of shoppers and choose the one that best describes you:
- Value shopper: you want a decent deal but are willing to spend a little extra for consistency.
- Methodical shopper: you love the hunt as much as the conquest, and you cover all the bases, becoming a new-car specialist in the process.
- You’re an image shopper who’s worried about what your car says about you. Is it presenting a positive image?
- You, as a safety-conscious shopper, want a car that you can rely on to keep you and your family safe on the road.
Power or Fuel Economy or Both?
The majority of vehicles come with a range of engine and transmission options. Typically, one is a small, cost-effective option, while the other provides more power at the expense of fuel economy. Frequently, a manufacturer will only provide the small engine on base models or lower-level trims while saving the more robust engine(s) for more expensive uplevel variants.
Four-cylinder engines are commonly used in smaller cars and SUVs. These also get the best gas mileage, but they lack the strength and smoothness of a V6. For the most part, however, four-cylinder engines provide the best combination of fuel economy and efficiency.
Turbocharging is becoming more common as a way to increase power without sacrificing fuel efficiency. Many models that previously used a V6 are now equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder, and turbo V6 engines have started to replace V8 engines in larger cars and trucks. In the F-150 pickup truck, Ford also uses small turbo V6s that offer V8-like output.
Take a Test Drive
In an ideal world, you’d test-drive all of the cars you’re interested in buying in fast succession so that your experiences are always new when comparing them. Consider scheduling the procedure for a morning or afternoon, and if necessary, do so throughout the week when the dealership isn’t as busy.
Call ahead to make an appointment with the internet sales manager rather than just walking into the car lot. That way, the appropriate model will be selected and ready to use. Choose a path for your test drive that includes hills, rough pavement, curves, and even a stretch of highway.
The decision to buy your new “pet on wheels” is a big one. You’ll be spending a lot of money on your trip, so you mustn’t end up regretting it soon after you get her home. Since you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, use the guidelines above to narrow down your options.