When you have finally decided to buy a car, be it old or a new one, this triggers a whole new string of other minor decisions to make. From what price range suits your set budget to whether you should go for an SUV, a coupe or a sedan and which add-ons or options you truly need, the questions are plenty.
Obviously, there are umpteen factors to take into account and each buyer’s priorities may differ from that of other. As per the data gathered in a Global Consumer Survey, safety and fuel efficiency occupy the top spots in most people’s checklist when shopping around. These two characteristics have superseded other aspects such as customer service, warranty, driving comfort, design, price, spaciousness and brand loyalty, by a substantial margin.
Here is a list of some important parameters you may want to consider to be able to compare different car models like a pro:
Horsepower
The more horsepower a car’s engine has, the easier it is for the vehicle to merge with the rest of the traffic on the highway, get around on the busy streets and reach the desired cruising speed. However, a powerful engine could also translate to less fuel economy. This means you’d have to weigh the two factors carefully and thoroughly when comparing cars and pick the one that makes more sense as per your preferences and needs.
Safety Technology
It’ll take some time to get true self-driving cars on the road. Even though, you’ll find plenty of driver-assist features that greatly enhance the safety element for the driver and other car occupants. Technologies like lane-keeping assistance, automatic braking, blind spot monitors and adaptive cruise control are available on almost all vehicles. When you are looking at two cars, and one of them has all these features as built-in functionality, the additional safety aspect will definitely tip the scale in its favour.
Fuel Economy
How often or how long you are going to be driving? If you love to go on long road trips or have a long commute to work every day, fuel economy should be your #1 consideration. When you are comparing two cars, don’t just look at the sticker price, but also think about how much it’s going to cost in maintenance over the long run. An automobile that seems comparatively cheaper upfront may end up costing you way more at the workshops.
Extra Charges
When exploring a new car, there are several extra charges to bear in mind. These costs may vary from model to model, and you need to compare them carefully as you decide to buy. A smart decision would be to get a dealer invoice report just like the one from Car Cost Canada that will give you a thorough idea of invoice prices, destination charges, and even various incentives that you may be entitled to. The more information you have at your disposal, the easier it is to catch a good deal when you see it.
Reliable Ratings by Other Buyers
If you are shopping for a new car, then you probably intend to have that automobile in your garage for many years to come, so be extra cautious and check out the reliability ratings on the internet before you actually buy it. Not all cars are constructed equally when it comes to long-term maintenance, and purchasing one with not-so-good rating can cost you a good amount of money in unnecessary repairs. As it is with fuel economy, it pays to consider the total ownership costs, instead of just looking at the up-front price.
Other Desirable Features to Look For in New Cars!
From high-tech tailgates that provide effortless access to innovative in-built air ionizer that fights foul fragrances, the automakers are attempting to incorporate the best of the latest technology in their lineup of vehicles. This is a good opportunity for car buyers to narrow down some desired features they’d like to have in the car:
Mobile Apps
Keyless entry with a simple push-button start has become more of a norm now than a special feature. Now specific mobile apps have kicked into the arena which allow you to remote stop, lock, start and unlock the vehicle from your smartphone, regardless of where you are. Just imagine: in winters, you can start your vehicle five minutes before so that you can have a warm seat waiting for you.
Auto Stop/Start
Obtaining an optimal gas mileage is a major consideration for city drivers since they spend an hour a day, on an average, in stop-and-go traffic conditions. A new feature to combat this is an auto stop-start one – where the engine shuts off when the driver comes to a complete halt and turns back on when the driver lifts the foot off the brake.
Auto High Beams
This feature is extremely essential for nighttime driving. Whenever a vehicle approaches your car or you enter in an area illuminated by street lights, this feature will automatically sense it and dip your car’s high beam.
In-car WiFi
Everybody loves using GPS, watching music and streaming favourite music while driving the car. That’s why in-car WiFi has gained a huge momentum lately. Using this, you can connect multiple devices to your vehicle’s WiFi at once, without stressing about draining your mobile data.