First-time car buy tips
You have just started work or varsity and you need a car. Whether your folks help you or you are going it alone, buying your first car requires some careful thought. Logic says you need to buy the cheapest thing you can find or afford, but logic will not be driving. You will be.
For sure money is an issue and you will be limited on what you can spend. So let’s work out a set of minimum criteria – the bare bones of what your new car should be. For starters, it will not be new, because there is a huge premium to pay on a brand new car. There is incredible value to be found in the second-hand market if you know where to look and keep a cool head.
Your new car should have the following attributes: value for money, safety, peace of mind, economical to run.
Value For Money
The price of a car will drop with age, especially once the warranty and motor plan runs out. But mileage is an indicator of how much use a car has seen. A four-year-old with 50K on the clock is probably a better buy than a two-year-old with 120 000K. Start with a car that is affordable when new and go back a few years until you get the price you can afford and the value you need. Look in the ballpark like a Polo or a Yaris or a Figo. Even the really compact cars have grown up a lot lately, but there you have to look at safety as well.
Safety
NCAP ratings are a guide, but they are difficult to weigh up. There are different NCAPs for different regions and the safety levels change over time as new tech comes in. But if the car you are looking at has a one-star from anywhere, maybe not.
There are basic safety features you have to have. All new cars have seatbelts. Three-point belts front and back are best. Airbags are like chocolates – the more the better. At a minimum, you want driver and front passenger airbags. Most cars will have ABS, which will prevent your wheels from locking up and skidding in an emergency, even on a wet road. Check for that. There are also ESC – electronic stability control – and traction control. If you have to choose between a car with these vs one without, choose the former.
Peace Of Mind
A ten-year-old Beemer may be sexy, but it will not give you peace of mind. Things will go wrong and those things will be hellishly expensive to fix. A three-year-old compact hatch with a solid service record will give you a good couple of years of reliable motoring. Obviously, things like rust, dents, oil leaks, doors not opening or closing properly, or bald tyres do not really say peace of mind. You don’t have to settle for an ugly car, just be aware that a plain car that works is better than a vroom mobile that keeps breaking down.
Cost Of Ownership
The running cost of running a car is more than the fuel consumption. The AA has a handy calculator that lets you work how much the total cost per kilometre of a car is. It takes into account wear and tear, service, tyres, depreciation, and so on. If you are looking at an older car, the price of spare parts come into play a bit more.
Where To Look For Your New Car
Unless you know the car trade well, stick to a reputable dealer like Group1 Cars. Not only do they have an excellent search function, but all the cars they sell come with a 101 point vehicle check, optional warranty, guaranteed mileage, licensed and legal and never been stolen, guaranteed model year and a twenty-day exchange promise.
