10 Steps To Your Dream Car
22 July 2010
1. Be sure of what you want. Research the model that’s best
for you and check it fits in your garage too. Look at the
contemporary road tests to confirm mpg and servicing. Note
that price guides are notoriously inaccurate at this level.
2. Pay particular attention to the colour and specification and
get the opinion of at least a couple of specialists in the
marque. A wrong choice can lose you thousands.
3. When you know what you want, look at the ads in Classic Cars
for Sale and other relevant trader mags over a period of a month to
get the feel of prices. Look at the price of cars a couple of
years older to get the feel of depreciation levels.
4. Unless the car you want is under three years old, it makes
sense to buy from a specialist or franchised dealer with a quality
warranty to back it up. It will cost more up front, but less
in the long run.
5. Be patient and wait for the right car to come up - don’t
accept second best at this level as it will cost you dearly.
Your every move must be carefully planned and executed.
6. Make a shortlist of suitable cars and view them on different
days. This way you have time to consider and digest what you
have seen.
7. When you find a car that suits, demand a test drive covering
at least an hour and in all the conditions you will drive the car
in should you buy, such as heavy traffic, motorways etc.
8. Whilst at the dealer, stay detached and don’t let the glamour
go to your head. Remember; when you’ve had it a few months the
novelty will wear off, so look at the everyday implications.
9. Beware finance deals with a large balloon payment at the
end. The market in supercars is fickle and you don’t want to
be left with large amounts of negative equity.
10. Don’t buy thinking you can use a car like this every
day. Even if you think you can get away with it with the
journeys you make, mileage will kill the value and wear the smile
off your face very quickly!
