6 Things To Consider Before Buying A New Car

6 Things To Consider Before Buying A New Car

If you’re out to buy a new car, we’re here to help you with a few things you should really consider before you sign on that dotted line. 

1. Look for reliability

There’s nothing worse than your car breaking down in the middle of the road during peak office hours and causing a massive traffic jam. Honda is one of the most consistent brands for reliability among different classes, with four different makes at the top of their class and a few additional runner-ups. Regardless of what type of vehicle you’re looking for, the odds are that Honda has the most reliable model and the highest rated in its class. 

Honda’s Reliability Rating as a brand is 4.0 out of 5.0, placing it first among 32 vehicle companies. This score is based on an average of nearly 350 different mainstream models. Many industry experts credit Honda’s longevity to its engineering craftsmanship and overall value for a simplistic design.

Your car’s reliability is of the utmost importance because your safety is the priority. That being said…  

2. Put safety first 

The car’s safety features should also be a priority in any car you purchase, because it helps to protect the people in the car. Nowadays, most cars come equipped with many advanced safety features, such as forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking can help you avoid accidents. One of the ways you can use to identify the safety of a car is through its NCAP safety rating. NCAP is the independent body that conducts rigorous tests of crash safety of new cars. All cars will get a rating based on the standard amount of safety tech fitted to every trim level available.

Honda’s safety features are quality beyond a doubt. Honda’s pursuit for uncompromising safety for drivers and passengers is reflected in their innovative features, including rear and front airbags, vehicle stability assist, Honda LaneWatch, Auto Brake Hold (ABH) as well as the patented Honda SENSING technology, equipped with 7 technological advanced safety features to alert you to imminent danger, which reduces the likelihood of collision.

3.  Make sure your car is affordable

Unless you’re paying cash for your car, you’ll need to think about financing your car purchase or lease. Price is an important aspect of any buying decision. The question you should be asking shouldn’t be whether the car is expensive or cheap, but rather, whether it is affordable for you. Take a look at your monthly commitment, and consider how much you can afford to pay for your car every month. The general rule is that your monthly new-car payment should not exceed 15 percent of your monthly take-home pay. 

You should also factor in the cost of petrol, toll, parking as well as the service and parts support. Knowing your budget beforehand will help you when choosing to purchase your car. You should also consider your timing of purchase, as there are usually plenty of promotions running around during festive seasons. 

Generally, Honda cars in Malaysia are quite affordably priced, starting at RM 74,191 for the most inexpensive model City and going up to RM 275,311 for the most expensive car model Honda Odyssey. If you wish to purchase a Honda vehicle, check out our showroom or our website for more information: https://www.formulaventure.com/

4. Test drive for handling

Your car needs to at least be able to handle itself well. Handling describes how a car responds when it turns. A car with better handling can go around corners or turns at higher speeds and is less likely to lose control in a sudden panic swerve. This is largely dependent on the car’s suspension, as well as the steering, tires and the vehicle’s weight. Handling is important when it comes to emergencies, as a car with good handling will be able to respond well in case of any emergency. 

To have a feel for the car before you buy it, you should always go for a test drive. Here are a few things you should take note during your short session test driving the car. 

i.  You should test-drive the car the way you would drive it during your everyday life.
ii. Try driving the car in both stop-and-go traffic and at highway speeds.
iii. Drive over bumps, take tight corners, and test the brakes in a safe location.
iv. Get in and out of the car several times and be sure to sit in the back seat
v. Check out the cargo space. 
vi. While you are evaluating the car, don’t be distracted by the sales person.
vii. Turn off the radio so you can listen to the sound of the engine.

5. Compare the manufacturer’s reputation and after sales service

More often than not, you should not only be impressed with the sales talk before you purchase your car, but also by the manufacturer’s after sales service. Your car will have to be brought in for repairs or servicing and the last thing you would need is to have a really bad experience fixing up your car. In this way, it makes sense for you to do your homework on which manufacturer you are most comfortable with, and which ones have really bad reviews online before you make your decision. 

At Formula Ventures, we strive to provide the best after-sales service for your Honda vehicle, so you can continue to have a peace of mind on whichever Honda model you purchase with us. 

6. Consider fuel efficiency

In Malaysia especially, the price of petrol can take up a huge chunk of your expenses in a month. Plus, petrol prices can rise almost without warning at times. This is why fuel efficiency is very important in the car that you will be purchasing. It’s good to have a rough idea of your monthly petrol expenses based on your average mileage. For example, the Honda City has a well-earned reputation as a comfortable and fuel-efficient daily commuter. With a 1.5L hybrid engine, fuel consumption comes in at a respectable 5.4L/100km.

You also have the option to purchase a hybrid car, such as the Honda HR-V Hybrid or the City Hybrid. Such cars have an internal combustion engine and at least one electric motor. However, you need to make a cost analysis before choosing a car with hybrid systems. If the additional costs of hybrid cars exceed the fuel savings of a petrol-fueled car, you should avoid it.

Buying a car may seem like a daunting task at times, but it can easily be done if you have enough information to make a decision. It’s not just about looking at the price of the car, but also the long-term value that you will be enjoying.

We hope you enjoyed the article!

If you’re looking to purchase a Honda for yourself, or want to experience our brand of customer servicing, we’re here for you. As an authorized Honda 3S dealer in Penang, we at Formula Venture cover the sales, services, spare parts and accessories of Honda cars.