Did you know? India recorded its highest-ever annual sales of 4,101,600 passenger vehicles in 2023. And that’s insane. Buying a car is almost everyone’s dream. However, with various options available in the market and all the legalities, this can be pretty stressful for the buyer.
Thus, to aid you and make your car buying experience seamless and hassle-free, here we are. Today in this blog, we will share with you the complete details on buying a car, things you must know while buying a new car, how to select the right car, and where you can get it. Also, I will share with you a secret tip that will help you save some extra money. So without further ado, let’s head to it.
The decision to buy a car is crucial as it involves monetary transactions that might affect your overall yearly budget. Thus, to not regret your decision later, you must pay attention to a few things before buying a car.
The moment you start looking for a new car in India, you must first ask yourself what the purpose of having a car is and how you are going to use it. These 2 things are the most common ones that eventually every dealer will also ask you before suggesting one. Being very clear on your goal with a particular thing while buying is way essential to justify your purchase to yourself.
Be clear: is it for your daily commute or if you wish to explore cities? Figure out how many people you are expecting to travel with you because that will help you determine the seating capacity, which will eventually affect your buying decision. Once you are clear about the purpose, plan the usage.
If you are going to use it on highways or city roads, based on your choice, the perfect car for you will vary accordingly. When planning to buy a new car, you must also keep in mind your driving experience.
How long have you been driving? If you are someone new to wheels, pick a hatchback car that includes a car like Maruti Suzuki Swift or Tata Altroz. If you have a certain experience, then you can go for a sedan or SUV.
According to your driving conditions, you can make a better choice. Suppose you are going to use your car for a daily commute that involves traffic congestion, then go for a hatchback. But if you aim to drive off-road, an SUV will be a better fit.
Almost every monetary transaction involves a budget and influences the purchase. Thus, it’s better to plan your budget so that you don’t make your wallet cry by stretching above your limits.
While doing so, keep in mind the RTO-related expenses that you have to bear and calculate the final on-road price while comparing. Almost half of your list will be sorted with these 2 initial steps.
Once you have figured out your budget and requirements, surf the internet for the car options that match your budget and requirements. Get product specifications about each of the cars so that you can evaluate how you can make your purchase a win-win.
Several websites help you do the comparisons; you can also try doing it on CarOnPone’s website. Apart from this, you can even read the articles, watch YouTube videos, or ask your relatives or friends who already have the car.
When you are buying a new car in India, you can’t miss the transmission factor, as it’s a vital part of the car. The gearbox is something that will change your entire driving experience. So it will completely depend on your driving experience and the atmosphere in which you are driving.
If you are buying a car for the first time and your motive is to just travel the city, then you must go for an automatic gearbox. If you are an experienced driver and enjoy taking over on your own without any intervention, then you can pick a manual one without any second thought.
If you are a first-time buyer planning for a hatchback and limit your usage to just the daily commute, then go for CNG fuel. Why? Firstly, CNG offers superior fuel efficiency and also costs less than petrol or diesel.
Diesel cars are the most expensive and demand high maintenance but produce more power than petrol engines. Thus, if you are looking for a powerful car, then look for a diesel one; else, you can choose a petrol one. For full-size sedans and SUVs, without any doubt, diesel works the best.
When making an impactful decision, like buying a car, one can’t just rely on the things mentioned. Book a test drive and get the live feel. If you are doubtful, shortlist a few and take the test drive of all of them. It will give you an idea about the handling, the build quality, the engine refinement, and the overall car’s features.
These days, with the advancement in technology, you can book it online from the comfort of your home in no time. For ease, you can use CarOnPhone’s website and book a test drive. You can even use any other website that makes your overall buying process easier.
Special occasions mean special offers. Most car manufacturers and dealers come up with special discounts and offers during the festive season. So plan your purchases accordingly to save more.
Also, you can compare the prices from different dealers and pick the best price. You can later use that for other car expenses like insurance, accessories, etc.
If you have enough funds, you can eliminate this step. But if you don’t, the best possible option is a car loan. Most companies help you with that and also offer certain benefits on loans, so you can explore that too.
While planning a loan, pick the tenure accordingly and as low as 3-5 years so that you have to pay a comparatively lower amount than the loan’s interest.
Most car enthusiasts update their cars with time. So if you are one of them and already own a car, then you can exchange it in the dealership and save your time and effort in finding a buyer.
As it reduces the hassle, it also affects the price offered, so make sure you do your thorough research before making any decision.
Car insurance is something that you can’t ignore if you are buying a car. Car insurance is compulsory in India. You can simply opt for third-party insurance.
Also, for extensive coverage, you can go for an optional comprehensive insurance plan. Most companies provide online insurance, which is quick, hassle-free, and comparatively budget-friendly.
If you are selling or exchanging your old car, then don’t forget to transfer the no-claim bonus benefits to your new car. It might result in a few extra steps to transfer the NCB, but it will aid you in saving insurance premiums on your next car.
Once you are sorted with all the above steps, the final step is to check prices from different dealers; if anyone offers lower prices, finalise your decision. Check if the dealer is charging extra for service and takes care of the registration process or not!
While everything sounds rosy, you must do an extra check from your side. It’s a one-time deal that can’t be revoked once locked. Thus, before proceeding, check on the below checklist.
If you are smart, the seller is definitely smarter. You should never miss the negotiation part in such cases. Make your side stronger by evaluating the market rates.
One secret tip is to visit the showroom during the month’s end. Why? Because that’s the time when the sales team is at the end of their monthly sales quota, which can turn the tables in your favour. It’s always better to make an informed decision, so don’t hesitate to explore the complete market.
Dealers and original equipment manufacturers usually have annual maintenance offers for new cars, so don’t forget to check them out. Annual maintenance lowers the overall maintenance cost and helps you cut the extra cost.
After-sales service is something that you will require now and then, no matter which car you buy. Thus, you have to visit the same dealer in case anything goes wrong with the car. So pick the dealer who offers better after-sales service and has a vast service network.
Most of the dealers provide one thing or another for free with the car delivery. You can check it with your dealer. Most common freebies often include seat covers, floor mats, registration number plates, wheel covers, etc.
When it comes to buying a new car in India, the first thought that generally pops up is visiting a renowned car showroom that can aid us. But visiting the showroom, getting the prices, and then booking a car takes way too long and makes the entire process tiresome.
In addition to this, if it’s a model in demand, you might have to stretch your patience level and wait for longer intervals.
But what if we tell you, you can simply do all this just from the comfort of your home and barely have to make any visits to the showroom? Yes! It is possible with CarOnPhone, which ultimately brings the car for buying right to your doorstep.
You know the best part: you can get a car of any brand, compare the prices, review the colour options, and even book a test drive in just a few clicks. To ease your purchase, we even have a handy Android and iOS app that will give you all the information about the cars. Download it today
That’s all for this ultimate guide. I hope now you know pretty well which car you should buy, what are the things that you must keep in mind while buying a car, and where you can buy it. Plus, we also learnt how you can save some extra money. For more insights about the automobile industry, explore our website and follow us on Instagram
While buying a new car, plan your budget, fuel efficiency desired, maintenance costs, safety features, and the purpose of buying the vehicle.
To budget effectively, calculate the car price, insurance, registration fees, and ongoing costs like fuel and maintenance to check if you would be able to maintain it for a long time.
A test drive is a real face-off that helps you determine if the vehicle serves your requirements and helps you make an informed decision before purchasing.
An EMI calculator allows you to get the estimated monthly payments based on the loan amount, interest rate, and tenure, using which you can plan your finances effectively for the car purchase.
The most common documents for buying a new car in India include identity proof, address proof, income proof (salary slips or bank statements), PAN card, and a valid driver’s license.
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