Splashing out on a new set of wheels?

New car? It’s a big purchase. Here’s how to get it right.

It’s that time of year again and many drivers are considering buying a brand new car. There are lots of benefits to buying new. As well as getting to drive around with the latest numberplate, and that lovely new car smell, when you buy brand new you’ll get a lengthy manufacturers warranty should anything go wrong and you are guaranteed a high quality service from the dealership.

A visit to a dealership can be a daunting experience though, so thanks to our friends in AutoServicing.com, here’s everything you need to know.

Before you buy

If you don’t like the way it feels or handles, then it’s not the one for you.

• Do your research: As well as researching the make and model on the manufacturer’s website or through dealerships, look at independent sources too, such as specialist car websites and magazines.
• Book a test drive: After the test drive, note all the pluses and minuses of the drive and weigh up all your options. If you don’t like the way it feels or handles, then it’s not the one for you.
• Choose your add ons: You’ll be offered a lot of extras and add ons, such as an extended warranty, window tints, special wheels, rust and paint protection etc. Consider which ones you really need, and make sure you budget for them.
• Bargain: Sales people always work on commission so they will have built this into their price and will have a higher asking price than what they realistically expect to achieve. Therefore don’t be afraid to bargain to get a lower price.

Apart from the cost of the car, what else do I need to budget for?

If you don’t plan properly now, you could face problems in the future.

When you’ve chosen your car, it’s time to run the numbers. This includes the monthly fuel costs, taxes, repairs and any financing, so you know how much it will cost you to keep on the road, and exactly how much it will cost you in the long run. If you don’t plan properly now, you could face problems in the future.

Finally, what about insurance?

To avoid any unexpected surprises after you’ve bought the car, you should find out how much your insurance policy will be before you buy the car. With Liberty Insurance, you can get a car insurance quote online in as little as two minutes. And don’t forget to consider AutoServicing.com for your next car service.