Buying a new car is a big commitment, and a pretty long term one at that. It’s not just the monthly instalments that you have to pay, but also various other costs that you may not have thought about; like road tax, insurance and maintenance costs. Plus, it’s also quite important for you to choose a car that is within your budget, but still able to meet your needs and requirements. 

If you’re out to buy a new car, we’re here to help you with a few things you should really consider before you sign on that dotted line. 

1. Look for reliability

There’s nothing worse than your car breaking down in the middle of the road during peak office hours and causing a massive traffic jam. Your car’s reliability is of the utmost importance because your safety is the priority. We know it’s tempting to choose the brand-new car models, complete with the latest cutting-edge technology, but for the best reliability, you should instead consider a car model that’s several years into its redesign life. The newer models may have desirable features, but with those changes come hiccups or malfunctions, which automakers track through customer complaints and address through updates, recalls, or revisions to how they build the model.

 “It’s tempting to want to be the first on your block to have the newest car, but that comes with reliability risks,” says Jake Fisher, Consumer Report’’s senior director of auto testing. “Being patient can save you from years of frustration.”

2. Put safety first

The car’s safety features should also be a priority in any car you purchase because it helps to protect the people in the car. Nowadays, most cars come equipped with many advanced safety features, such as forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking can help you avoid accidents. One of the ways you can use to identify the safety of a car is through its NCAP safety rating. NCAP is the independent body that conducts rigorous tests on crash safety of new cars. All cars will get a rating based on the standard amount of safety tech fitted to every trim level available.

3.  Make sure your car is affordable

Unless you're paying cash for your car, you'll need to think about financing your car purchase or lease. Price is an important aspect of any buying decision. The question you should be asking shouldn’t be whether the car is expensive or cheap, but rather, whether it is affordable for you. Take a look at your monthly commitment, and consider how much you can afford to pay for your car every month. The general rule is that your monthly new-car payment should not exceed 15 percent of your monthly take-home pay. 

You should also factor in the cost of petrol, toll, parking as well as the service and parts support. Knowing your budget beforehand will help you when choosing to purchase your car. You should also consider your timing of purchase, as there are usually plenty of promotions running around during festive seasons. 

4. Test drive for handling

Your car needs to at least be able to handle itself well. Handling describes how a car responds when it turns. A car with better handling can go around corners or turns at higher speeds and is less likely to lose control in a sudden panic swerve. This is largely dependent on the car’s suspension, as well as the steering, tires and the vehicle’s weight. Handling is important when it comes to emergencies, as a car with good handling will be able to respond well in case of any emergency. 

To have a feel for the car before you buy it, you should always go for a test drive. Here are a few things you should take note during your short session test driving the car. 

i.  You should test-drive the car the way you would drive it during your everyday life.

ii. Try driving the car in both stop-and-go traffic and at highway speeds.

iii. Drive over bumps, take tight corners, and test the brakes in a safe location.

iv. Get in and out of the car several times and be sure to sit in the back seat

v. Check out the cargo space. 

vi. While you are evaluating the car, don't be distracted by the sales person. 

vii. Turn off the radio so you can listen to the sound of the engine.

5. Compare the manufacturer’s reputation and after sales service

More often than not, you should not only be impressed with the sales talk before you purchase your car, but also by the manufacturer’s after-sales service. Your car will have to be brought in for repairs or servicing and the last thing you would need is to have a really bad experience fixing up your car. In this way, it makes sense for you to do your homework on which manufacturer you are most comfortable with, and which ones have really bad reviews online before you make your decision.

6. Consider fuel efficiency

In Malaysia especially, the price of petrol can take up a huge chunk of your expenses in a month. Plus, petrol prices can rise almost without warning at times. This is why fuel efficiency is very important in the car that you will be purchasing. It’s good to have a rough idea of your monthly petrol expenses based on your average mileage. You also have the option to purchase a hybrid car. Such cars have an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor. However, you need to make a cost analysis before choosing a car with hybrid systems. If the additional costs of hybrid cars exceed the fuel savings of a gas-fueled car, you should avoid it.

Buying a car may seem like a daunting task at times, but it can easily be done if you have enough information to make a decision. It’s not just about looking at the price of the car, but also the long-term value that you will be enjoying