5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying a New Car

Buying a new car is an exciting prospect. The idea of getting behind a new vehicle is an appealing one, that’s for sure, and here at Eden, we’ve got hundreds of great brand new and approved used cars to make that dream a reality. But there are some key considerations to make before you take the keys to a new car. In this article, we’re going to check out some of the primary areas to think about before buying a new car.

How much do I want to spend?

A great place to start is to establish a budget. By doing this, you won’t be disappointed down the line or surprised by payments later on. Think about how much you’re happy spending on the vehicle overall and stick to it.

Don’t just think about the cost of the car itself, either. Factor in insurance costs, repairs and MOTs, bundling these all together into one primary budget. By putting all of this together, you’ll have a much better idea of what you’re happy to spend.

How am I going to pay for it?

These days there are many options when it comes to payment. Of course, you’re free to pay for the vehicle outright but for many drivers, this isn’t a viable option. After this comes the various finance options that can break down the cost of a car into smaller monthly instalments. Personal Contract Purchase - or PCP - is one of the most popular options, allowing you to place a deposit and pay monthly instalments over an agreed term. At the end of the agreement, you can choose to give the car back or pay a final, larger payment to own the car outright.

Hire Purchase (HP) is another key way to pay for a car. Like PCP you’ll pay an initial deposit, but you’ll also pay higher monthly payments because you’ll be paying off the total cost of the vehicle. At the end of the agreement, you’ll own the car outright and can do with it what you’d like. There are several finance options out there to help you pay for a new car and if you’d like more information, then get in touch with a member of the team today.

What type of driving do I usually do?

Making sure you buy the right type of car is important, particularly if you do a specific type of driving. It’s why we’d recommend considering the type of driving that you usually do, as it can better guide you towards the car that’ll work best for you.

For instance, if you’re frequently driving into town or around the city, then you may want to consider a smaller vehicle that is easier to park and efficient enough to navigate past clean air zone charges. After all, it can be a pain to try and find a parking space for a large SUV. In contrast, if you have a large family or often take around big groups of people, then a seven-seater can make things much easier. Tailoring the car that you’re looking at to your needs will make the entire driving experience far more pleasant.

Manual or automatic?

Cars with an automatic gearbox are a far more common sight today than they have been previously, which is why we’d consider which type of gearbox is best for you. If you’re new to driving and have passed a manual test, then a manual gearbox car could be a good option. Cars with a manual gearbox are also known to be more reliable later in life, so this is worth thinking about if you’re planning on keeping the car for a long time.

However, if you’re often travelling in stop-start traffic or find yourself doing long-distance trips frequently, then an automatic car can help. There’s less of a fuel economy penalty for automatic gearbox cars than there once was, too, and in some cases, these models can be more efficient than their manual alternatives.

Will this car still be useful next year?

It’s a good idea to think about where you might be in a year when buying a new car. You’re never going to predict the future, of course, but considering what could be on the horizon will help to future-proof your car.

For example, if you’re considering a home renovation then a larger car or truck could make this easier, or if you’re planning on taking up a new hobby such as mountain biking then a more versatile model will bring a handy amount of extra space. Take a bit of future planning into account before purchasing that new car.

Here at Eden, we’ve got a great range of cars to check out so once you’ve put your wish list together - and considered some of the tips that we’ve discussed here - get in touch to see how we can get you behind the wheel of a new car.