First time buying a car? No worries, there is always a first time for everyone. If you have no one to guide you along, read on, and benefit from our advice.
What car model to get
Ask yourself the following questions:
1)What is my budget - Set your budget, and DO NOT exceed it
2)What type of car do I need - Do you need a large MPV to ferry your whole family? Or is your driving so atrocious that you need a small car in order not to be too much of a road hazard?
3)What brand of car do I want - Narrow down your selection to a few brands. Choosing from too many brands can be very tiring and time-consuming - but by the time you've gone through questions 1 and 2, knowing the answer here should be easier too.
After answering these three questions, you should have shortlisted not more than five specific car models to consider. During the rest of the car selection and buying procedure, you will meet many persuasive salespeople. But you should be resolute and keep to your initial considerations.
When is a good time to buy a car
Promotions, anniversary discounts, roadshows, etc, are sometimes carefully crafted to attract buyers. The car prices are usually jacked up before the discounts. Don't rush into a hasty purchase decision during these these flashy 'promotional seasons', if the prices don't match up with what you'd have paid originally anyway.
The only time when car prices truly go down is when the COE price decreases. A genuine good buy is when the COE is low (although that's understandably a rare sight these days). The COE bidding closes every first and third Wednesday of the month. It is not advisable to purchase a car within the three days before the COE closes. This is the period when most dealers will increase their prices to safeguard against COE spikes.
Weekdays are best for visiting the showroom as it is less crowded. The sales personnel will tend to be more attentive and obliged to answer all your doubts.
Where is a good place to buy a car
Car belts
- Ubi Car Belt - Along Eunos Link
- Leng Kee Car Belt - Along Alexandra Road and Leng Kee Road
Six car marts
- Automobile Megamart
- Leng Kee Autopoint
- Car Mall @ The Grandstand
- West Coast Car Mart
- Carros Centre
- Mackenzie Car Mall
What to do at the showroom
Once you are there, be assured that there will be a car salesperson to attend to you. Do not hesitate to clear your doubts with the salesperson. Tell him or her the car you are interested in, and other car models you are considering. This way, the staff on hand can explain to you the advantages of the particular model.
Most models comes in a few variants and trim levels. You will have to decide on the model which suits your budget and requirements best. Do not feel obligated to buy purely from the salesperson who attends to you. You should be buying the car you like, not buying a car from the salesperson you like.
What to do during a test drive
If you are aiming for an honest, no-frills car like the Perodua Bezza, test drive a vehicle slightly above your budget like the Toyota Vios. This way, you can make a more informed decision, knowing clearly where potential differences may lie. When going to the showroom to test drive, always ask friends and relatives to go along to obtain feedback from the passengers. You don't want to be the only one enjoying the comfort of your car.
| Area | Point to note |
| Engine | For a start, try to stay in the range of 2,000 to 3,000 rpm as that is the region you are most likely to stay in during normal driving. On the straight road, step hard on the accelerator to see what is the time lag between you depressing the accelerator to the moment the car sprints off. Finally, check that the engine noise is tolerable. |
| Handling | If you are confident, take on a corner at some speed. A good vehicle has little body roll. You should have full control of the car even at high speed. |
| Gearbox | A good automatic transmission shifts up or down with minimal jerk and should be responsive to your foot command. |
| Brakes | When doing test drives, always start off slow and try to grasp the car's braking characteristic. Some brakes are highly sensitive and the braking response comes almost immediately after you set your foot on the pedal. |
| Cabin space | Adjust the driver's seat to your preferred driving position. Do check with your friends and relatives to see if there is sufficient leg room at the rear cabin for comfortable seating. |
| Boot space | If you occasionally haul around items such as golf bags, do check with the sales person to see if they will fit. They will give you very good advice based on their experience. If it is convenient, you can even bring it down to the showroom to try the cabin space. |
How to negotiate
1)Subtly ask the salesperson for discounts and freebies.
2)Make sure that the salesperson is offering you discounts and freebies above what the company is offering to the standard buyer. Excellent service should be expected, considering the hefty amounts we pay for our cars.
3)After the salesman has quoted the discount, try nudging for a higher discount.
4)If all else fails, turn your efforts instead to freebies. Sales personnel are more willing to give freebies rather than discounts.
Choosing the colour
It is advisable to choose metallic colours like silver and champagne for your car. Pure colours like white and black are difficult to maintain as they do not hide dirt and scratches well. Thus, they often require waxing and polishing.
How long must you wait for your car
Buying a car is not like going to a market; it is not cash-and-carry. The waiting time for the car can range from two weeks to six months, especially with the recent supply chain disruptions seen over the last two years. Before purchasing the car, always check with the salesperson on the expected waiting time to get your vehicle.
Making a booking
The next step is to place a booking fee to confirm your order. Payment can be either by Cash, Cheque, Credit Card or Nets. However, note that by default, Nets has a withdrawal limit of only S$2,000 per day. Booking fees may exceed S$2,000 depending on the car model. After having placed the booking fee, the sales executive will contact you again for your next stage of payment.
Usually the sales executive will contact you once your COE has been successfully bidded, and the second stage of payment would usually be one week before collection of the car. In Stage Two, payment will include the following:
1) Balance payment on car price less loan amount
2) First installment of loan
3) 1-year insurance premium
An earlier version of this article was first published on Sgcarmart on 13 September 2007.
