what do you look for when purchasing a new vehicle?
- Thread starter BigAl3
- Start date
New as in off the lot or new as in new to you?
I've never purchased an off the lot car.. but in used vehicles I'd go for
1. Style
2. Maintenance
3. MPG
You can't just buy for one reason ... and with used cars theres usually quite a plethora to select from. If you can bare to drive it, it should be drivable. And if your not the handy type, it should be reasonably fixable.
I've never purchased an off the lot car.. but in used vehicles I'd go for
1. Style
2. Maintenance
3. MPG
You can't just buy for one reason ... and with used cars theres usually quite a plethora to select from. If you can bare to drive it, it should be drivable. And if your not the handy type, it should be reasonably fixable.
Kriminal
New member
1. Style
2. Bodywork condition
3. Oil leaks !
2. Bodywork condition
3. Oil leaks !
Sherman8r44
New member
1. Price
2. Safety
3. Steering/handling/brakes
4. Reliability Reputation
5. Styling
6. Power
2. Safety
3. Steering/handling/brakes
4. Reliability Reputation
5. Styling
6. Power
1) Consumer Reports
2) Interior looks (ie: cup holders, ipod integration, a place for coins)
3) Is this model used as rent-a-cars
4) Looks
Honestly, that's what I look at. Most cars nowadays, within the same price range, all have the same stuff. To me, it boils down to what car looks best to you and does the interior fit your needs.
2) Interior looks (ie: cup holders, ipod integration, a place for coins)
3) Is this model used as rent-a-cars
4) Looks
Honestly, that's what I look at. Most cars nowadays, within the same price range, all have the same stuff. To me, it boils down to what car looks best to you and does the interior fit your needs.
I also haven't bought a new car yet. But I first pick the styles of cars I like; then I hit MSN Autos, Edmunds and any forums I can find for the few I like to see how reliability ranks for each. Then from there I look for the best price/condition I can among all the cars I still have on my list basically looking for the best deal I can find.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Besides all the obvious looks/comfort/performance/reliability stuff related to the specific vehicle, I give some thought to where I'll get it serviced. This includes things like not washing/marring it and listening when I tell 'em to torque things properly, *not* lube hinges, etc.
One of the primary reasons we have Audis is the way Stoddard Imports treats us- picking up the cars at the house, leaving nice loaners, and *NOT* messing up my vehicles when they work on them.
One of the primary reasons we have Audis is the way Stoddard Imports treats us- picking up the cars at the house, leaving nice loaners, and *NOT* messing up my vehicles when they work on them.
RTexasF
Pay Attention Boy...
No particular order really:
1. Fits my needs & wants
2. Fun to drive
3. Reliable
4. Looks good (always in the eye of the beholder)
5. Five or six speed stick or no sale
6. Sizable trunk
7. Four doors & seats four real adults comfortably
1. Fits my needs & wants
2. Fun to drive
3. Reliable
4. Looks good (always in the eye of the beholder)
5. Five or six speed stick or no sale
6. Sizable trunk
7. Four doors & seats four real adults comfortably
Gotta agree with the above post to a certain extent.
I'm probably most limited by price, but after that, it's a combination of performance and overall driving experience.
I tend to gravitate to vehicles with four doors. Formerly had several Ford Taurus SHOs and now the 328i. Don't know why. Maybe the fact that it was fun to have a grandma car that would hang with a Mustang GT. Not to mention the fact that insurance can sometimes be less expensive and the doors aren't so long which is a bonus when you're sharing a garage with a Dodge Grand Caravan.
It's gotta have a stick unless it just has massive amounts of torque and a very well matched automatic.
To a certain extent, I also factor in reliability, parts cost, and online forum activity which is beneficial since I try to do most of the maintenance myself.
And though it isn't a dealbreaker, I may also weigh in how favorably the car is classed for autocross purposes.
I'm probably most limited by price, but after that, it's a combination of performance and overall driving experience.
I tend to gravitate to vehicles with four doors. Formerly had several Ford Taurus SHOs and now the 328i. Don't know why. Maybe the fact that it was fun to have a grandma car that would hang with a Mustang GT. Not to mention the fact that insurance can sometimes be less expensive and the doors aren't so long which is a bonus when you're sharing a garage with a Dodge Grand Caravan.
It's gotta have a stick unless it just has massive amounts of torque and a very well matched automatic.
To a certain extent, I also factor in reliability, parts cost, and online forum activity which is beneficial since I try to do most of the maintenance myself.
And though it isn't a dealbreaker, I may also weigh in how favorably the car is classed for autocross purposes.
imported_fishbonezken
New member
1. Power!!
2. Handling
3. Affordable Maintenance
4. Decent MPG
5. Has gotta be a driver's car
2. Handling
3. Affordable Maintenance
4. Decent MPG
5. Has gotta be a driver's car
I find out what I am going to be buying, then I go and drive EVERYTHING in my price range. I never let consumer digest or the internet make up my mind before I have drove the vehice. Far to many people do this, without even trying another brand or vehicle.
Then I go and speak to some people waiting in the service department. I ask how the vehicle has been to them and how the service is. Honda would try to find every loophole not to cover anything under my warranty. GM would replace upon first complaint and never doubted me.
I think every automanufacturer has strong points and weak in their lineups so to only buy one brand or single out one brand is beyond me.
Then I go and speak to some people waiting in the service department. I ask how the vehicle has been to them and how the service is. Honda would try to find every loophole not to cover anything under my warranty. GM would replace upon first complaint and never doubted me.
I think every automanufacturer has strong points and weak in their lineups so to only buy one brand or single out one brand is beyond me.