Picking a new car is a tough thing to do. The last thing you want is to invest your time and money into a car that doesn’t meet your needs, breaks after purchasing it, or is too expensive to maintain.
You hear often about the worst cars people have purchased, so it is easy to steer clear. But what about the worst advice that you have been given? People find it easy to give out advice, whether it is a trusted friend, an interfering family member, or a sales consultant from your local garage.
While their intentions might be good – it doesn’t always end well. Buying a car should be a personal experience. It should be a decision that you make yourself and one that you make based on sound information. When you have factually correct information when assessing what car to buy, you will be able to make a more informed decision. You want a vehicle that meets your needs, that is reliable, affordable, and something you will enjoy driving. This is a lot of criteria to meet, which is why the process of buying a car can take a long time. It can also be quite stressful, which is why it is easy to listen to the advice of others. You can speed up the process and get it over and done.
It is nice tht someone wants to give you advice. But it is important to take it with a pinch of salt. Consider what they have said, but don’t jump right into it, especially if they have recommended a specific car to you. Take the information and gather additional facts and information so you can come to your own conclusions.
To help you on your journey to finding the perfect new car, here is some of the worst advice that you should avoid!
Pick the car with the most features
A car with hundreds of fancy features is the best option, right?
In some cases, yes. But in most cases, not so much.
You must take into consideration what your needs are, what your budget is, and what the car you are looking at offers.
If someone recommends a car or tries to sell you a car with fancy features, it is really important to avoid getting shiny object syndrome. Instead, you should write down what:
- You need out of the car
- You want out of a car
- Your budget is to purchase the car
- Your budget is to maintain the car (fuel, parts, maintenance, etc)
These are key elements of making your decision to buy a car. It wouldn’t be very good if you bought a car with fancy features, but then it costs an arm and a leg to fix if something goes wrong. It also won’t be perfect if you pick a car with expensive features, but none of them serve a purpose to you.
Pick a car based on a recommendation
A friend might tell you how amazing a particular car model is. They might even drive it themselves and have found it to be reliable. In some cases, their advice might be very helpful and get you closer to making the right purchase. However, it is important not to rush into it. You should research the car they recommended and compare it to your list of needs and your budget.
You never know if your friend has a different budget than you, uses the car for other things, and what time they can invest in maintaining the car. Make sure you consider their recommendation, but add your research into the mix before you make a decision.
You might as well get the car you want if you’re spending money
You need to find a good balance between meeting your needs and getting something that you want. While a vehicle might look good and be your dream car, you need to consider its practicalities, including the costs and uses of the car.
For example, purchasing a truck is not going to be very suitable for someone who needs a car for their kids and to commute to work. While it might look cool and come with a range of features that you would enjoy, it isn’t going to be practical. However, if you need to carry large loads or need a vehicle for transporting goods at work, a truck like a Ford F150 is going to be a good fit for you.
Buying a car is complicated enough already, avoid listening to bad advice! Always do your research before making a decision.
