Things to consider when buying your next car
If you’re buying used, there is no more useful phrase than that Latin one drummed into the head of every secondary-school business studies student — Caveat Emptor; buyer beware.
While there are, thankfully, only an unpleasant few who would seek to rip you off when selling you a used car, there is still a need for vigilance, even when buying from a respectable person or company. Don’t just glance at a potential purchase, go through it with a fine toothcomb, checking everything from the service history to previous NCT reports, when major items such as the cambelt was last changed, to checking for overspray where someone has tried to hide accident damage.
And make sure you get a history and background check done to see if there are any hidden skeletons or outstanding finance. carzone.ie recommend Cartell.ie for that, but there are several others also (mentioned elsewhere in this guide).
After a house, a car is one of the biggest and most exciting investments you will make. With so many models and styles to consider, it can take some time to narrow down the perfect one for you, but here are our five factors to consider first.
Budgeting:
The amount of money you can afford to spend on the purchase cost of your new car will ultimately dictate what year, make and model you can buy. Buying a car is a very exciting process, but before you commence the search, you should carefully consider your budget. You may have saved up enough money to make the purchase, or if not, you might want to consider a personal loan.
Think about how much you need to borrow including any running costs, how many year you want to pay the loan off over and how much you can afford to pay back on a monthly basis.
Your Lifestyle:
Hobbies: If you are sporty, you’ll need to consider boot space to hold bulky equipment such as golf clubs and musical instruments. Hobbies like surfing and cycling can take up even more space, so if you can find a car which already has a roof rack fitted, you’ll save additional costs in the long run.
Adventures: If you regularly take the road to explore Ireland at the weekends, you will need a car that can cover long distances in comfort. Also consider a model with a dedicated satellite navigation system for those occasions when you find yourself off the beaten track.
Values: Do you want a car that is kind to the environment? It is now easier than ever before to get an environmentally-friendly car with so many electric, hybrid and super-efficient diesel models to choose from. Accessories like stop/start systems help to reduce your impact on the environment.
Running Costs:
The three biggest costs associated with owning a car are fuel, road tax and insurance.
Fuel: If you cover lots of mileage on a regular basis, it is worth considering an efficient diesel engine model. On the other hand, if you only commute around town a small petrol engine car will suffice.
Tax: The lower the emissions output of the car you choose, the lower its annual motor tax rating. The lowest tax brand is just €120 per year while the highest is €2350 per year! Cars with small diesel or hybrids engines are among the most tax-friendly models on sale.
Insurance: In terms of an insurance quote; your age and the age of the car are indicators of the cost of insurance. In general, the newer the car, the cheaper the insurance. Also, the more driving experience you have, the cheaper your annual insurance premium will be.
Driving Environment
Will you be spending most of your time around town or on the open road? Is your commute long distance or just a quick spin around the corner? Do you have to park in tight spaces regularly? These are all factors which can dictate the style of car you choose.
If you spend most of your time driving in busy cities a small city car with a small engine will suffice, and it’ll be easier to park too. If you spend an hour or more commuting each day, then comfort should be king, and a larger saloon or executive car will be a better choice.
Who’s Inside?
Will you be driving alone most of the time, or will you have passengers or even pets in tow?