I want to buy a new car but have no idea where to start, can you help?

Question

I want a small new car but I don't know where to look or how to start. There are so many people out there ready to rip you off so any advice? Should I get a bank loan or get it on finance? What companies or dealers are trustworthy?

Answer 1

Financing through a dealership is probably the best, other than paying cash for the car. Go with a big dealership, not "Honest John's Used Car Lot." I recommend any import car; Toyota, Honda, and Subaru are some of the best brands and last the longest. Make sure you research after you find a car, so you know you're getting the best deal. Don't be afraid to try and talk the dealer down- they want to make a sale. Try looking up the bluebook value and see what you can get.

Answer 2

If you really MUST buy new, go for Japanese if you want reliability. Get a Toyota Yaris, and consider the 1.4 diesel. If the old car was anything to go by, this should hold it's value well. If that's too big (if that's the case, how?), or you want somehting cheaper, look at a Citroen C1 (Toyota Aygo and Peugeot 107 are exactly the same with only minor styling and equipment differences, but the Citroen is a bit cheaper, and why pay over the odds on a budget car?).

As for finance, get a quote from the dealer AND the bank and see what's best.

A better compromise may be 'nearly new'. They've had their worst depriciation, so you'll save a packet, and lose less over the years too. The'll have been run-in too, and most niggles will have been solved through warrenty, of which you should still have a year or two of remaining. Later versions of the old Yaris (which is still a cracking little car) will be around in this market, and there might be earlier versions of the C1/Aygo/107.

Other cars to look at are Ford Fiestas, which are good all-rounders but are probably a bit bread and butter, and the Fiat Panda. Don't let the badge drive you away, as Italy makes some fine little cars, and this is no exception. Diesles are nice 'n frugal, but some seem to find the petrol engines suit the car's character better. The dealer's are apparntly awful though.

Answer 3

Buy a new Japanese car, anything you like as long as it's Japanese, preferably a Toyota of some description, a Yaris or an Aygo. Finance it with the lowest APR loan you can get which will probably be a personal loan from a bank or building society. Yoiu should be able to get a loan for less than 6% APR these days.

Answer 4

Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra are all excellent sub-compacts that can be bought for under $15K.

It's always a good idea to obtain financing prior to walking in to a dealership. This prevents the dealer from sticking you with a high interest loan and packing your payments. If you walk in with a 5.99% loan for example, they will offer to beat it. If you walk in empty handed, they'll just stick you with 11%.

I've bought seven cars since 1995 and I can tell you I have yet to meet an honest dealer. Not saying they are all crooks, but if you come unprepared, they will take advantage of you. If you're knowledgeable, they will at least respect you and not try to pull the scams they usually do on the less informed.

Read this to educate yourself.....

http://www.carbuyingtips.com

Answer 5

Firstly: Don't buy new, buy 'second-hand', dealer demonstration model if you insist on having one with a new plate, but definitely second-hand (unless you love throwing money down the toilet on depreciation).

Don't worry about buying a small car, most small cars are fairly safe unless you buy the performance version and plan on driving it every where 'flat-out', small cars are generally cheaper to run and that is more important than the purchase cost.

Save to buy if you can, finance it and you will pay twice as much for your car. If you don't have much cash, use what you have (cut your cloth according to your purse etc), boring, but true.

Read up (motoring mags & internet) throughally before you buy to be sure of what you want, then bargain hard for your cash sale!

Use a local car dealer, key here isn't the size of the dealer, the name or any other irrelevance, it's LOCAL, you need to be close to them so he knows you will be back if he try's it on. You cannot avoid this by using a posh dealer, you'll just pay more for the privilage, the only way to protect yourself is to know your rights and buy locally.

Keep back about 10% of your total available budget to both 'independantly' check out your potential purchase (prior to parting with your cash) and to sort anything out with it/ service it after you take delivery; this is always needed, if only just for accessories!

Like everything, start with research, know your onions and most importantly of all......Buy what YOU want! You can't buy experience.

Answer 6

I can recommend the Honda Jazz - It is one of the safest smaller cars out there, is very practical and extremely reliable. Honda's tend to be slightly more pricey than Vauxhall or Renault but it is worth it. I bought mine a year ago and have been extremely happy - was my first brand new car.
I say shop around for a loan - finance companies rip you off with ridiculous APR - GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 7

Car dealers waiting to rip you off is a myth. Car dealers can't make much money if your financing. If your a first time buyer get financing from your bank and find out what you can borrow first. Then shop vehicles in your price range. Good Luck!

Answer 8

Have had 5 cars in the past. My last 2 have been Renault, go to a good dealer, Fairly new Renault cars come with an excellent warranty. I usually try to buy Pre-registered you get the full warranty with them, and it is excellent, have had this car for 4 years no problems. I am in Glasgow and use Arnold Clark.
Good luck.

Answer 9

Small cars are death traps, get a mid sized sedan. If ya buy a car, try to make sure the place thats financing it is local so you can be on a face to face, just in case something arises and you need to work someting out with them. Bank loans are good to, having it through your own bank is better at the end cause of the trust thing between you and your bank, stick with them be cool, and they will take care of ya in the future if ya ever decide to buy a house or someting. And ya, EXPLORE EVERY OPTION, dont just rush, you just may regret it, oh one more thing, you could try ebay too?? If ya feelin lucky!!

Answer 10

Make up your mind what make you want, some offer no interest finance, and then go to your nearest main agent. They are too interested in keeping the good name of the make of car to deliberately rip you off. Of course any car can be a problem but I have had a Toyota for 6 years and I just don't want to get rid of it it is so lovely to drive