Everything You Need To Know Before Buying A New Car

So you’re thinking about buying a new car? Awesome! Whether you’re looking for a new or used car, an SUV or a ute, buying a new car is a really exciting time. There is a lot to consider though, and it can be overwhelming. We’ve put together a master guide of everything you need to think about before driving out of the dealership in your brand new car.

What’s The Right Car For Me?

With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know where to begin your search for your new car. If you’re pretty early on in your search, start with our quiz, ‘Which Car Is Right For Me?’ This quick, simple and fun questionnaire gets you started on your journey and will get you thinking about what you really need and want out of your next vehicle. You might even find the happy middle ground between the turbo-powered 4WD that you want and the zippy hatchback that you probably need.

Two of the biggest things to consider are the car’s purpose, and what the next five years look like for you and your family. Is your car’s main purpose to commute to and from Brisbane for work everyday, is it a weekender for off-road adventures, or are you looking for something that strikes the balance between school pick-up and family road trips? It can be tempting to buy a car based on beautiful images you’ve seen on social media, or be swayed by high-tech features you probably won’t use, but at the end of the day you need something that works for you and your lifestyle.

As mentioned, you also need to consider what the next five years looks like for you, and your family if you have one. Will you need to upsize or downsize anytime soon? As much as we love the Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe, if you're needing to fit a baby carrier in the back seat any time soon, it might be time for a rethink. Similarly if your kids will have their license and be heading out into the world soon, you might be able to downsize to something more practical for you. Giving the future some thought beforehand will save you the hassle of coming back for a trade-in quite so soon.

How Much Can I Afford?

If you’re thinking about buying a new car, money is probably one of the key considerations in what car you decide to buy. 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-house Finance Managers who can structure a finance package to suit your individual circumstances. If you want to do some rough calculations yourself, check out our finance calculator here. If you're ready to explore your options further, get your finance score or apply for finance online below.

Should I Buy New or Used?

In order to answer this question, you have to ask another; how long do you intend to keep your next car? If you’re planning to keep it for 5+ years then new is definitely the way to go, anything you're planning after only a couple of years though, is probably 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 be cheaper than 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 longer warranties, 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. Check out our full deep dive into New Vs Used cars here

How Soon Do I Need This Car?

Something important to consider is the current state of the automotive industry. Thanks to Covid-19 and difficulties getting cars to Australia, vehicle stock is down 70%. Many new cars have a wait time of 3-6 months. That said, there are plenty of models in stock at our dealerships, and boatloads arriving every week, but you may need to plan ahead depending on what you’re looking for.