What Are the Taboos for First-Time Car Buyers?
3 Answers
First-time car buyers should avoid the following aspects: 1. Do not overly trust joint venture brands or follow the crowd when choosing a car: Nowadays, domestic brands' vehicles are performing increasingly well, offering higher cost-performance ratios compared to joint venture brands of the same quality. First-time buyers should not blindly believe in the exaggerated praises of joint venture brands from older generations. 2. Do not focus too much on the car's appearance and interior space: The quality of a car depends significantly on its configuration, interior, power, etc. The interior is what the owner sees the most, and power is a fundamental indicator of the car. As for the rear seat space, buyers should consider their family needs—those with more family members might want to consider models with larger rear space, such as extended versions or high-end cars.
When I first graduated from college, I was so excited about buying my first car that I ended up making a lot of mistakes. I was too impulsive and got talked into buying a used sports car by the salesperson without checking the engine condition. By the second month, major issues popped up, costing me over ten thousand in repairs. Even worse, I overlooked the monthly payment budget, and now a big chunk of my salary goes into it. My advice: don’t just focus on how cool a car looks. Always test-drive multiple models beforehand, and if possible, bring a car-savvy friend to check the vehicle history and condition. Also, factor in insurance, fuel consumption, and maintenance costs into the total budget—otherwise, you’ll have no one to blame but yourself. Remember, impulse is the devil. Take your time to do the research to avoid pitfalls.
When my husband and I bought our first car with two kids, we made a big mistake: we only focused on getting a big SUV thinking the space would be enough, but we overlooked actual testing—the trunk couldn’t even fit a stroller. Another no-no was not calculating insurance costs properly, and suddenly realizing the premium was double what we expected. Now I’ve learned that it’s essential to test-drive with the whole family, check if the child safety seat anchors fit properly, and research the vehicle’s resale value and maintenance cost list online beforehand. Save money by not rushing to pay a deposit, compare prices from multiple dealers, and prioritize safety and reliability to avoid regrets.
