Three factors to consider when buying a car
There are hundreds of car models available for sale, so how does one make an informed decision as to which one is best for you? Price is a great starting point, but to help you narrow down your choices further, you should consider these three factors: Quality, Cost of Ownership, and Reliability.
Let’s look at the finer details of these factors and get some advice from Imperial Auto…
Factor 1: Quality
Quality refers to the workmanship and durability of the car, as well as its components and accessories over time. Cars that have a high-quality rating will develop fewer overall problems and will be safer and more cost effective to maintain. These days, many quality problems tend to occur on high tech enabled features, such as navigation, adaptive cruise control, reverse-parking assist, etc.
Factor 2: Cost of Ownership
It is important to consider that the long-term cost of owning a car is considerably more than the actual price you pay for it. Ownership costs include depreciation (the loss in value over time), fuel, maintenance, repairs, and insurance. The largest of these costs is depreciation, which occurs as soon as you drive the car off the showroom floor. It is essential to do research on things like fuel efficiency and costs of parts for your chosen vehicle. With all costs taken into consideration you should choose a car that will offer a repayment amount that fits comfortably into your budget. Reputable dealerships like Imperial Auto have very knowledgeable finance people who can assist you with this.
Factor 3: Reliability
Reliability is a hugely important factor for anyone – but as a Woman – having a reliable car is non-negotiable. Do your research by reading consumer reports to check reliability ratings before you settle on your chosen car.
The good news is that most vehicles nowadays are very reliable. New car warranties cover at least three years or 100 000 to 150 000km, and some go higher. If you are buying a pre-owned car, you can and should look at purchasing an extended warranty.
For more useful info on purchasing your car visit: https://imperialauto.co.za/first-time-buyer and join the conversations on Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/imperial.auto.sa.