9 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying A Car In The Philippines

​Purchasing a car is one of the most memorable and most important decisions a person has to make in his entire life. This is commonly the second dilemma next to buying a house or having a family.

It gets people excited and so exuberated that sometimes they just let car salesman suede them with smooth words to get into their pocket. Asides from the sizeable amount of investment that’s sure to be allotted for this practical need for a vehicle, there are other things to think about before signing legal documents.

What are the things you need to consider before buying a car?

Buying a car must be a mentally-settling decision and have a person end up being happy and secure with his purchase. This shouldn’t be a decision to regret and have the buyer thinking about “should have”, “could have” and “would have” scenarios after the visit to the dealership.

It may sound like a lot of work for someone who can just run to the nearest car dealer and hook up a ride; but here are the some of the questions you can ask yourself before buying a car to avoid regrets in the near future.

Follow Philkotse.com to know which should be considered before buying a car. 

1. How desperate is the need to buy a new car?

How much is the need for a new vehicle? Is it a desperate necessity for work or family purposes? Is there already a service vehicle but is becoming a financial drag rather than a commuter’s aid? If on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the highest and you find yourself between 5-10. You better read on to have yourself ready for what-could-be one of the most expensive investments you’ll make in your life.

If buying a new car will make your family's daily routine lighter, then it is the right time to consider it

2. Will you be alone in the decision-making process?

If you’re a bachelor, single or an independent, lone car buyer; then most probably your car-buying decision will only affect yourself. But if you’re married, have kids or spending in behalf of the company then you better spare some considerations other than your attraction to that shiny sedan. 

Take your time in making a decision. It is better not to rush in order to avoid mistakes

3. Are there any current or future financial concerns that might get compromised?

It’s no secret that timing is everything. This applies to car purchase as well; especially if one is running on a budget. What if there’s an expected baby to be born? Will there still be sufficient allotment for other needs and concerns? Is it really the right time to purchase a car or maybe it can still wait?

4. Are you ready for the cost of a newly-bought car?

If you’ve already had a ride before the supposed new one, you’ve already had this concern before. Buying a car doesn’t only mean the one-time payment or the down-payment and then installments. There’s also the preventive maintenance, gas, car repair, insurance, and another car-related spending. There are also service fees applicable to most car repairs and these do not come cheap.

>>> Also check out: How expensive of a car can I afford based on my financial situation?

Buying a car can be really excited, but never miss to consider the other costs and maintenance that come with it

5. What kind of car will you buy?

Now that you’ve settled that you will be buying a car and have the budget to pay for it, it’s time to pick the right one. One must also keep in mind the things he plans to do with the vehicle. Will, it just be for casual rides from here to there or do you intend to pull motorboats and ATVs for trips once in a while?

Your personality will play a big part in making this choice but it shouldn’t be all about that

6. Would you prefer a new or used vehicle?

What attracts clients to new cars mostly is that new car smell oozing from the model. There are also factory warranties that are bound to be helpful in the long run. Used cars, on the other hand, are way cheaper than expensive new ones. So which one would you decide to buy, a used or a new car?

There can actually be a used vehicle out there for sale which is the same model as its brand new cousin. A quick tip when buying used vehicles is to hire a trusted and certified mechanic since you will be saving thousands compared to buying a new car. It’s best to spend a little to make an assurance that the used car is safe and ideal for your interests.

7. Does the car you plan to buy fit in your garage?

People who already owned a car before seldom think about this until it’s too late. You might not think that the car you bought would fit in your old car’s garage or the thought might not even cross your mind. This tends to happen if the old car was a sedan and the newly-bought vehicle is an SUV or a pick-up truck.

This should be considered and taken into the decision-making process or else you might have to park your new ride in an unsafe spot

8. Will you be the one driving the car?

It’s nice to think of getting the car that fits and feels like it was made just for you. But have you ever considered who else would be driving it? Let’s say there’s a big height difference between you and your partner. Even though you find the vehicle so comfortable that you feel like it’s tailor-fitted for you, you might end up in an argument with your partner after taking it home.

The car should be fit and comfortable for the one who's going to use it

9. What do you want in a vehicle?

This is easier to answer if you’ve had a previous owner of a car before. If that’s the case, you’d just have to list down all the things you like about your current car and what you don’t like about it. This way, you’ll know what to avoid and what to look for in your next unit.

>>> Read more: 10 most important features for your next car

It is best to consider the features that you like in a car in order for it to meet your needs

Purchasing a car isn’t a one-time-spend and there will be bigger things or concerns that may need those allotted funds. The questions listed here are the best to ponder on before making that next hop into a newly-bought vehicle and newly-signed payment terms.

>>> Click here to get more helpful tips and advice for your car buying