5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying A New Car

Starting to think about buying a new car? There's plenty to consider when you're deciding which car is right for you and your family, everything from the size and shape, to how you'll finance the car. Here are a couple of the initial questions you should ask yourself before you start your car buying journey.

What is my current and future family situation?

When buying a new car, it's important to consider who your passengers are and whether you'll need to upsize or downsize any time soon. As much as we love the look of the Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe at Cricks Noosa, if you're needing to fit a baby carrier in the back seat any time soon, it might be time for a rethink. Discuss with your partner what your potential needs are in the next five years or however long you're planning to hold on to your new car. Giving this some thought beforehand will save you the hassle of coming back for a trade-in quite so soon. Whether you'll be doing a lot of road trips with your best mate, starting a family, or your kids are leaving you an empty nester soon, planning ahead can save you both time and money.

What did I dislike about my last vehicle that I would like in my new car?

Maybe you really loved your last car and would just like to replace it with a newer model, or... maybe you're fed up with trying to reverse parallel park in a large SUV. Now is a good time to re-evaluate all of the things that bothered you about your last car. This way you can begin to narrow down your search and start asking which cars don't have those downfalls. If Google isn't cutting it for more of your specific questions, don't be afraid to reach out to our sales staff for some advice on which cars meet your needs.

Should I buy new or used?

In order to answer this question, we have to ask another; how long do you intend to keep your next car? If you’re planning to keep it for 8+ years then new is the right choice, anything you're planning on selling after 2-4 years may be best to be purchased used. However, there are other nuances when making this decision that also need to be considered. A used car of course, will come at a fraction of the cost to that of a new one, but you do not receive the benefits of a full warranty which can leave you vulnerable to large repair costs in the future. At Cricks all of our used cars are serviced and detailed to make sure you are receiving a top condition vehicle with your hard-earned money. You can also purchase an Autopact Protection Plan to help minimize the costs of future repairs. On the flip side, new cars, although more expensive, tend to come with more benefits, that 'new car feeling' and have a higher resale value. Deciding which way to go is a personal choice and if you're having a hard time making that decision, our sales team are extremely knowledgeable and can help you make the right choice.

How am I going to finance this car?

There are three main options when it comes to paying for your new car: leasing, buying outright or financing through the dealership. Leasing is handled through an external company of your choice and can be a great option for people who are interested in swapping their vehicle every few years. There are some additional costs to this method such as; termination charges, mileage and wear limits, overage charges, and buyout fees- research is key with this option. Aside from paying upfront and zooming out of the dealership the next day, the final option is financing. This is an extremely viable method of payment for the majority of people who prefer to pay their car off incrementally. At Cricks we want to make the buying process as stress free as possible, that’s why we have in store finance managers that are here to talk you through the process of financing as well as find you a lucrative deal.

Do I know enough about this vehicle?

It's easy to fall in love with a car at first glance, with so many great tech features, colours and aesthetic touches that draw you in. As enjoyable as it is to have these attributes, it's also important to check out the practical details. Things like;

Safety ratings4WD capabilityFuel efficiencyRepair costsWait times for stockExpert recommendationsCustomer reviewsPast history checks for used cars

You can seek out this information by speaking to our sales team, through our website, reading other articles of ours or by researching the year, make and model of your preferred vehicle on trusted review sites. While it might not be the most thrilling part of the process, taking an extra bit of time to delve into these more detailed aspects can save you from purchasing a vehicle that will give you headaches down the line.