Tips on buying a new car

Probably the most important point is to decide how much you can afford, if you are not buying outright with cash then work out what monthly payments you will be comfortable with.

Choose the right car to suit your needs, think about your lifestyle, ask yourself questions relating to whether you have children, play golf, go skiing etc. This will determine the size and flexibility of car you will need. To help we do have some lifestyle options in the “choosing your car” section.

Once you have narrowed down your choice of cars, then it’s time to visit the dealerships and take a test drive. Remember your budget- and always check that you are test-driving the car model that you are considering. If you haven't got the time, inclintion or confidence to shop around for the best deal then just email us with your requirements and let us do the legwork! Remember to include your budget, any part exchange details, where you live and we'll do the rest.... info@lipstixandgearstix.com

Visually inspect the car, sit in the passenger seat and the back seat to see how roomy and comfortable they are.

Check the interior, look for armrests, cup holders, storage facilities. Check your reach to the foot pedals and instrument panels. Adjust seats, pedals and mirrors and make sure that you are comfortable and everything is easy to use and easy to read.

Take a drive, both in busy streets as well as a dual carriageway, this will help you gauge acceleration, smoothness of the ride, handling and noise levels. Turn on the radio to see if the sound system is to your liking and enjoy it! (Remember if you drive in heels, then wear them for the test drive.)

Reverse the car into a parking space, this will help you see if there are any blind spots and show you how easy the car is to manoeuvre.

If you like the car, look into financing through the dealership. Most manufacturers will subsidise finance rates on certain cars so it’s worth asking the question.

Do your homework on the approximate value of your current car (if you are using it as a part exchange), check the glass’s guide value and look out for other similar cars that are being advertised locally, this should give you a clear idea of what your car is worth. You could always sell it privately if you are not happy with the price the dealership is quoting you for your car. If you have had the car from new, then we might be able to help you sell it through our one lady owner section

When you sit down with the sales person in the dealership, don’t get irritated if they go to “check” with their Manager, this is a standard procedure, and usually the sales person is attempting to structure a win-win deal for you and the dealership. Plus they may not be aware of/ or unable to quote finance figures that include an APR- so in this case a Business Manager may get involved.

Make sure that you are happy with the deal, there is no harm in giving yourself time to think it over – after all it has to be the right choice and decision.

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