| Buying a new car can often be a daunting task | | | | pull any punches about making their |
| and after buying a new house, it is probably | | | | discomfort known, so think about what it is |
| the most important decision a new family can | | | | like to drive and be driven in the car. Also |
| make. Faced with seemingly endless | | | | with your regular passengers in mind, it |
| possibilities, try to keep the following in | | | | might be a good idea to choose a darker |
| mind when considering a new car. | | | | colour scheme for your car's interior, as |
| | | | spills and stains will be less visible and |
| The first thing to consider is your | | | | easier to remove. |
| particular needs as a car user. Will the car | | | | |
| have enough seats for the entire family? A | | | | Lastly is the decision where to buy your new |
| smaller car might fit into your budget, but | | | | car. Franchised dealers can provide you with |
| might not have enough passenger space. Will | | | | a one-stop solution for buying, servicing and |
| you require additional space for a dog or a | | | | repairing a new car, but could be less keen |
| wheelchair? Conversely, if you only use the | | | | to give a discount on the asking price. A car |
| car to travel to and from work and to do | | | | supermarket might not appear as lavish as the |
| shopping, will a larger boot really be | | | | franchised dealer, but will generally offer |
| necessary? | | | | cheaper prices. This does, however, mean |
| | | | there will be less in the way of price |
| Secondly, consider the engine and fuel | | | | negotiation. |
| efficiency. How much distance are you looking | | | | |
| to cover on a regular basis? Are you mainly | | | | Importing a car from abroad could prove to be |
| going to travel to and from work with a stop | | | | cheaper, but be sure to get help from a car |
| at a school or nursery or do you also plan on | | | | broker who can guarantee a good price. Buying |
| taking regular family trips on weekends? A | | | | a car online is an easy way of purchasing a |
| diesel engine will generally produce less | | | | new car, but do remember to do your research |
| CO2, but will produce more of other polluting | | | | and read customer reviews before using a |
| emissions, compared to a petrol engine. If | | | | particular online dealer. Whatever your |
| you are looking to travel longer distances, a | | | | decision, be sure to get all the necessary |
| diesel engine could be a good way to save | | | | paperwork with your purchase, including the |
| money due to higher fuel efficiency and lower | | | | service book, the logbook, a receipt as proof |
| CO2 emissions, but otherwise, a petrol engine | | | | of purchase and a copy of the warranty. |
| could be the more feasible option. | | | | |
| | | | So if you're unsure about what to look for in |
| While test-driving a new car, get a feel for | | | | a new car, keep these points in mind to make |
| how it handles - what does accelerating and | | | | the car hunt easier and buy the right car for |
| braking feel like? Bear in mind that your | | | | yourself and your children with confidence. |
| regular passengers tend to be ones who don't | | | | |