Precautions for Car Purchase and Selection
4 Answers
The most important considerations when purchasing and selecting a car are the vehicle's price, followed by its quality, appearance, and purchase policies. Below is an introduction to the precautions for picking up a car: Inspecting the Vehicle Condition: Park the vehicle in an outdoor area with ample light to examine the body paint. Ensure there are no scratches or wear on the paint, that the paint is even, and that it appears translucent under sunlight reflection. Open the car door—the vehicle's identification plate is located near the driver's side door or B-pillar—and check the relevant information on the plate. Open the engine compartment to inspect if it is clean, free of dirt or dust buildup, and check if the engine oil and other fluids are at adequate levels. Manually test if the doors open and close smoothly, if the windows roll up and down properly, if there is any strong odor inside the car, if the air conditioning cools effectively, if the windshield wipers function correctly, and if all lights illuminate properly. Test Driving: Start the engine to assess whether the idle is smooth, if there is noticeable noise inside the car, and if the steering wheel vibrates significantly. Checking Documents: Verify that all relevant vehicle documents are complete, such as the purchase invoice, certificate of conformity, vehicle type approval certificate, vehicle registration certificate, warranty certificate, vehicle user manual, and new car delivery confirmation form.
As someone who has just gone through the car buying process, I would suggest first clarifying your vehicle needs. For daily commuting, focus on fuel consumption and maintenance costs - Japanese cars excel in this area. Family car buyers should pay attention to rear seat space and child safety seat interface convenience. Nowadays electric vehicles boast ranges of 500-600 km, but if your hometown is in mountainous areas, consider charging station coverage. Don't forget to specifically test the steering wheel weight and brake pedal feel during test drives, as these directly affect long-distance driving fatigue. When it comes to the accessories listed in the purchase contract, negotiate each item separately - dealerships love to make profits in this area.
Budget planning is truly the first hurdle in car selection. Beyond the base price, keep an eye on purchase tax and insurance costs—the current exemption of purchase tax for new energy vehicles until 2027 is indeed cost-effective. If you frequently drive on rough roads, set aside 20,000 for all-terrain (AT) tires, as factory tires are prone to punctures. When financing a car, compare loan options carefully; some manufacturers offer interest-free deals that look tempting but charge 4,000-5,000 in service fees. New buyers often overlook ongoing expenses: 95-octane fuel costs 200 more per month than 92-octane, turbocharged engines cost 800 extra per maintenance, and hybrid battery replacements run 70,000-80,000—all must be factored in early.
Never compromise on safety features. Watch the C-IASI crash test videos multiple times. The automatic emergency braking system can prevent 70% of rear-end collisions during rush hours. The tire pressure monitoring system helped me avoid two potential blowouts last year. Lane keeping assist makes highway driving much easier, though some brands' systems keep fighting for steering control which is annoying. Anti-glare mirrors and LED headlights are must-haves for night drivers. Six airbags should be the minimum standard. You'll truly appreciate the importance of small details like child safety locks when you actually use them.
