5 things to consider before buying a new car

SECOND to purchasing a first home, buying a car is one of the most financially draining and potentially stressful decisions any consumer has to make during the course of their adult lives.

Whether you are purchasing a car for the first time, or picking out a second or third vehicle, many of the same questions and thoughts run through every customer's mind.

1. To hybrid or not to hybrid?

Recent research may suggest that hybrid cars only account for three per cent of the US car market, but the social and personal benefits of these cars cannot be denied. Even Mayor of London Boris Johnson intends to get hybrid buses on the city's roads.

Improved fuel economy and reduced emissions is the common goal, however, in the past, some consumers have felt that they have been forced to pay through the nose to ease their environmental conscience.

The implementation of the congestion charge in central London has, in recent years, softened the attitudes of many towards hybrids; and this, combined with the growing importance of fuel economy, means that a once unfashionable corner of the market has genuine opportunities to thrive.

2. Matching your needs

Need an estate car to fit your ever expanding family? Fancy a 4x4 for weekend trips through the country? Looking for a first vehicle for your son or daughter? The variety of demands and requirements for consumers are varied.

The easiest way of looking at the selection process is not to sacrifice substance for style, as purchases made on a whim can become expensive mistakes and ill-advised gambles. Always do your research and never make a final decision until absolutely sure.

3. Counting the cost

It's no secret that the resale value of any new vehicle drops dramatically the moment it rolls off the forecourt of your local dealer. Disheartening as it may be to see your prized purchase devalue dramatically before you've even driven a mile, it is important to consider how your new set of wheels will decrease in value as the years pass by.

Another key question will be whether or not a particular make or model of car is susceptible to expensive repairs or particular faults. All of these contribute to establishing the true value of any car, and should be a key aspect of the decision making process.

One myth that often hampers sales of hybrid vehicles is the suggestion that manufacture and start-up costs are significantly higher than their non-hybrid cousins.

The reality is, however, that original assembly costs are only slightly more than that of standard cars; on average this is often only a five per cent increase, particularly in the mid-range market.

4. Image is everything

Once need and price have been considered, a consumer is always likely to follow his or her eye when it comes to selecting their new car. Superficial as this aspect of car selection may be, many spend a deceptively large sum on modifying their new purchase to reflect personal taste. Body kits, paints jobs and expensive speakers systems are all common extras.

5. Is it worthy investment?

Regardless of your feelings on hybrid cars, the long-term fuel economy advantages of a hybrid engine resonate even amongst the most die-hard of critics. With some hybrid engines developing between 15 and 30 per cent reductions on fuel per mile (when compared with petrol or diesel equivalents), a slightly higher initial outlay may well benefit the shrewd consumer in the long run.

Reduced emissions from newer models of standard cars may pressure consumers to reconsider their approach to environmentally-friendly alternatives, but the reality borne out by extensive research is that the engine of a hybrid car will always out-perform that of its non-hybrid peers when it comes to pleasing Mother Nature.