With the amount of innovation we’re witnessing in the global car industry, there’s a growing number of things to consider when deciding on a new car. But cars have always come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and abilities, and so it’s always worthwhile getting back to basics and asking yourself some simple questions as a means of ensuring that you make the right decisions in the end. Here are five simple questions you should ask yourself during the hunt for your next ride.
1. Where do you want to go?
Considering your car’s abilities is a crucial consideration when deciding on a new car. Aussies are looking to multi-terrain vehicles that aren’t necessarily heavy duty – we’re living in the age of compact SUVs. These unique models have been able to deliver only the best parts of the most ideal vehicular qualities: multi-terrain performance, handling, and flexible storage through an economic utilisation of space. The intuitive design of SUVs allows them to navigate tight inner-city streets with the same level of ease that they’d use to roar down a rural highway. If you have multiple answers to this first question – it’s worth looking into some modern small SUVs.
2. Who’s going with you?
Do you have a large family? Or are you part of a carpool or two? Do you have any young children who are currently using a car seat? If you foresee your car needing to hold multiple occupants on a regular basis, you’ll need to take this into consideration when deciding on your dream car. You should take your family along to any scheduled test drives to ensure that everyone signs off on the new family car. Additional accessories like car seats, third-party car stereo systems, and tablet mounts may need to be fitted as well, so it’s worth finding some quotes from any dedicated specialists like specialised automobile electricians or potentially even experts that can be found through your local dealerships.
3. What are you packing?
Flexible storage options is an ideal feature in any car, and it goes without saying that larger models like SUVs boast far greater storage capacities than sedans and hatchbacks. Keep in mind that not everything you pack should require your back seats to fold away. Bike racks and roof racks are handy additions to any car, so long as you’ve been able to find a rack that’s most suitable to your family’s needs.
4. What features do you prioritise?
Modern cars generally come jam-packed with premium features like multi-zone climate control, cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), and other intuitive driving systems. But the list does not stop there! In fact, the full list of modern technology that’s been gracing the global car market also includes convenient additions like Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging capability, adaptive cruise control, and even features that are purely for cabin comfort, like heated seating. And whilst there is a myriad of cars that may come equipped with a great number of these features, a single model is unlikely to come equipped with all of them. So, in that regard, it’s worthwhile taking some time to outline the features that you’d like your dream car to come equipped with.
5. What’s your price range?
Finally, the last question you should ask yourself is what you’re comfortable paying, both for the car as well as the added costs of car ownership. It’s good to take some extra time to weigh up the pros and cons of a variety of builds to see what you’re comfortable dealing with long-term. Your price range should always be the final question that you ask yourself, as your financial breakdown will usually help finetune your shortlist of potential future cars in a timely manner. Outlining your price range may also help you secure some good deals with your local dealer, whether you’re looking to buy brand new or second-hand.
Answering all these questions thoroughly might take some time, but with the fast-paced nature of the car market, it’s always a buyer’s game. Just give yourself the extra confidence you’ll need to make the most out of any future visits to your local dealer.
