Here is an honest truth – most of us are not that good at choosing vehicles. Perhaps car dealers are too skilled at tricking us, or we just don’t like the pressure of having such an expensive decision on our shoulders. Whatever the case is, we often make small mistakes that can cost us a lot down the road.
That is why today we want to give you the top three things you need to consider when you are looking for a new car. Make sure you’ve given these some serious thought before you book auto transport for the vehicle of your choice. Shall we start?
Long-term Reliability and Maintenance Costs
Obviously, everyone wants a vehicle that is reliable and will not break down in the middle of the road. However, most new cars are made to hold their own for at least several years. This is why you can hear many people tell you that reliability doesn’t matter in the end. After all, you are expected to buy a new car every once in a while, right? Well, not necessarily.
It is true that sometimes a new car can be a better investment than an old one that needs constant repairs. However, it is proven time and time again that having an older vehicle, which is cheap to maintain, is often the better choice. There is nothing wrong with driving the same car for more than 10 years. It is an expensive deal, right? So you might as well want to get the most out of it.
This is why you should consider long-term reliability and maintenance cost for the given model. Keep in mind that most models stick around for several years, so you there is usually data on the reputation of the company and the said model (if it is not completely new).
Not Just Price Alone
When people consider their next car, the first thing they look at is price. This is fine, but it is also one of the ways to make a dumb mistake. Why? Because price doesn’t tell you anything if you do not factor in other details.
A much better advice is to look to the price-to-performance ratio. Is the car really a deal, or a rip-off? Does it have all the necessary additions you want? Are you expected to pay a few thousand dollars in extras to get exactly what you want? When you compare the prices of models keep in mind that equate all the additions among them. A bare-bones entry model BMW may not be cost efficient when you compare it to an upgraded Toyota for the same price.
Fuel Efficiency… But Never By Charts
Lastly, you have to look at the fuel efficiency, However, this is one of the factors that are the hardest to gauge. Why? Because it does not pertain to your style of driving. If you are a conservative driver, you may end up with a better mile-per-gallon ratio than you think, even with a car that has seemingly worse MPG stats.
Always consider your style of driving and whether or not fuel efficiency would matter in your case. After all if the different is only 2-3 MPG, perhaps you should make that big of a deal out of it.