How Should One Go About Purchasing a Car?

[DiRyan]

If buying a car with a loan, the general process is as follows: After paying a deposit, sign the purchase agreement, then proceed with the loan application. Once the loan is approved, the dealership will notify you to pay the down payment and inspect the car. After 3-5 days, when the bank disburses the loan to the dealership, they will help you with the license plate registration, after which you can take delivery of the car. If you're only purchasing the bare car (without additional services), you can inspect the car after payment and drive it away immediately. You will need to handle the insurance and purchase tax yourself, as well as register the license plate. If you're paying the full amount upfront, the dealership can assist with the license plate registration process, and you can take delivery once that's completed. First, select one or several car models within your budget, then check online if these models are participating in the current auto show (not all car brands and models participate). After choosing a model, visit the auto show and locate the display booth for your preferred model. Conduct a comprehensive comparison and evaluation before finalizing your choice. Consider which features are most important to you (this requires some experience with car rentals), then compare the owner prices for similar configurations across different models. Assess the rationality of the configuration choices. This approach is far more scientific than selecting a car based solely on the starting price. Some base models may be simpler but include all essential features, while others clearly require mid-to-high trims to be worthwhile. Don't fall for the myth that wheelbase alone determines interior space and vehicle class. Wheelbase is meaningful when comparing different body types, such as hatchbacks vs. sedans or sedans vs. SUVs, and it also affects seating arrangement. Personally, I prioritize overall length, followed by width and height. For sedans, interior space is primarily allocated to mechanical components like the powertrain, passenger space, and trunk space. The wheelbase position doesn’t vary much. The same goes for engine types, transmission systems, suspension setups, and four-wheel-drive configurations.