India is now one of the top countries in the global car market and is flooded with an interesting line-up of hatchbacks, sedans and SUV's. Sometimes, a wider choice brings more confusion to the decision making process. The local car market is flooded with Indian and international car makers, each car having a unique identity. It is important to pick the best option for yourself.
Owning a car eats up a considerable amount of funds from your annual budget. To begin with, first check your budget, as to how much you are intending to invest in the purchase of a new or used car. Deciding between buying a used or new car has some pros and cons to it, an old car may offer better features as compared to a new car, but the cars history may be unknown and shall come with a lesser warranty coverage. On the other hand, a new car may be less on features, but in the bargain you get complete warranty and maintenance benefits.
Once you have decided on your budget, it’s time to explore and research the car market. You can either go visit trade shows or research over the Internet. Do pay special attention to dealer prices and the on-road cost for the vehicle as local taxes may be applicable. Once you have scanned the array of cars as per your requirement, you can start the process of shortlisting the best one as per your needs. Also, keep the specs sheets and model details of your shortlisted car handy as that may be required while talking to your dealer.
The next step would be approaching your dealer for a test drive. This is recommended, unless you have a driver who can drive you around. Test drives give a fair idea as to how the car handles under different circumstances. Once you are done with a test drive and have finalized a particular model, it is time to calculate the interest rate for loans and other financial details. Check with different banks too, as the interest rates may vary. Also, note that it is not necessary that the dealer may provide with the best offer so it is important that you explore the market well.
Buying a new car or a used one, it is important that you check for discounts that you may have come across in some advertisement or banner. Negotiation is also an art, be a savvy negotiator to get the best deal for you purchase. Remember, there is nothing better than getting a good deal for your purchase, Happy driving!
