Planning to Buy your First Car? Everything you need to know!

Hi There! Are you planning to buy your first car?

Here are a few areas which you should definitely research in order to make an informed decision. You must have done your homework already, but let’s just do a quick review here to see if all aspects are covered.

Have you covered the following items in your car buy checklist? If not, go through these.

New or Used Car?

This is the first question that strikes the mind. Buying a new car always gives you peace of mind whereas a used car can save some cost. We will discuss this in detail on this topic in another blog. Stay tuned!

Check out our detailed blog on New Car vs Used Car – Pros & Cons Explained!

Body Type (Sedan, Hatchback, SUV, XUV, etc.)

This one totally depends upon your budget and taste. It also depends on the usage of your car. If you are a frequent traveler with a big family and no budget constraints, you can opt for a 7-seater or an XUV. If you are on a tight budget you can look for hatchback cars that give you good mileage at the same time mostly fit into your budget. You can go for a sedan if you like your car to be chauffeur-driven as it gives you the best comfort in the class.

Check out our detailed blog on Which Car Body Type Is Best For You? A Quick Guide

Manual or Automatic Transmission?

Well, this definitely depends on how enthusiastic a driver you are. If your commute is mostly going to be in the city and sometimes on highways, you can opt for an automatic variant which will provide you good drive comfort in the traffic and will also fetch the best mileage from your car. For beginners, automatic is the best fit. We will discuss the different kinds of transmission in another blog. stay tuned!!

Petrol or Diesel or Electric?

Should you buy a petrol or diesel car or for that matter the electric vehicle car which is the future. We have discussed in detail Petrol vs Diesel Car – Which one to Buy? Let’s do the Math!. Please check it out. Regarding EVs, I would say that currently, the infrastructure support for EV vehicles is not mature enough. But there has been significant improvement seen recently in the Evs’ mileage and performance. You can plan for it as your primary car for city commutes as it is very mileage-efficient and pocket-friendly. Make your existing fuel car a secondary or backup for long drives.

If you are Planning for an Electric Vehicle in 2023? Check this out!

Engine Types

Turbocharged engines are internal combustion engine that uses a turbocharger to increase the amount of air and fuel that can be burned per cylinder. A naturally aspirated engine is an internal combustion engine that does not use a turbocharger or supercharger to increase the amount of air and fuel that can be burned per cylinder.

Check out our other blog What are Turbocharged & Naturally Aspirated Engines in Cars? Which One is Better? if you want to learn more about the different engine types.

Safety Features – A Must Have!

Whichever car you buy, the basic safety features are a must-have. There should be no compromise on safety features like Airbags, ABS with EBD, Corner stability control, Seatbelt pre-tensioners, Traction control, child lock, etc. Also, check your to-be car’s safety rating on the global NCAP website or YouTube channel where they provide comprehensive crash test results. There is no limit, the more safety features, the better it is.

What Comfort Features to Look for?

Basic comfort features check e.g. leg space, headroom, rear AC vents, charging sockets, etc. for rear passengers are a must. Most of the time we miss out on these feature checkout but if you are traveling with family, these things become a must-have component of the car. Notice the car suspension while you take the test drive, see how well it absorbs potholes, etc. For drivers and front passengers, it is ok, comfort-wise most of the time.

What is the Ownership Cost going to be?

A very important factor while making a final decision. In many countries, having the simplest of cars is also considered a luxury. So, decide to buy the car based on necessity vs. luxury parameters in your checklist. You are going to acquire a depreciating asset wherein you will be paying taxes like GST and road tax while buying, and on top of that, you will be paying annually for insurance and car servicing. Do a little bit more homework and get these figures along with fuel prices and see if it adds up to be a better deal for you. Your usage should be the base of all.

Resale Value of Car

This thing comes to mind while you are looking out but it is recommended to keep this at the bottom of the list because it is kind of subjective and also depends on the condition of your car when you go out to resale it. A good brand is always coveted in the market so if you keep your car maintained and in new condition, the resale value will be always on the higher side. Also, it directly interrelates to the new vs. used car topic.

Music System

A good music system is good to have. Nowadays car companies themselves put in good sound systems to compete in the market so you don’t need to worry about it in most cases. You should check the quality as per your taste 🙂

Color – The most confusing part!

We have already posted another blog on Which Color is Best for Your Car? Do check it out.

Useful Links

• Find new cars by budget, make-model or fuel type: https://www.carwale.com/new/search/

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below!