Test drive the new car you want to buy to ensure that you have made the right decision

It is very difficult to choose when there are so many choices. What is most important… looks, performance, fuel efficiency, reliability, space, ride, handling, air-conditioning, ground clearance, safety, sound system, electronic gadgets, environment-friendliness or resale value? In a competitive market, whatever one car offers, its rivals will also soon offer something similar so it is not easy to make a decision. Most people believe that ‘Old is Gold’ and opt for the most popular choices but others prefer the motto that ‘The latest is the best.’ There is merit in both propositions.

You know that if you opt for a Maruti Swift or Hyundai i20 you will get a very comfortable, reliable and well appointed car that is well supported by a good service and spare part system. You may be tempted to look at a new model like Maruti Baleno that offers eye-catching styling and many new features but may be cautious about going for something new.

Your first decision concerns the price. If you buy a Hyundai i10, you will get a very good looking small car that is reliable, economical and affordable but it is smaller than the i20 that is a very tempting buy. You you could also go for a Maruti Alto instead of Swift for the same reason. Only you can decide how much you can afford. Your second decision is to consider some of the new ‘cross-over’ small SUV’s that are really more a car than a SUV. You may seldom need their slightly bigger wheels or higher ground clearance but they can make you feel good. Your third decision concerns looks, as you want to be in a stylish new car.

Don’t worry too much about fuel efficiency because all new engines have to be very fuel efficient in a highly competitive market and small modern engines pump out surprisingly good acceleration. Don’t believe all their test claims published in auto magazines. Don’t also worry about air-conditioning as they are all quite comparable. You must however find out the resale value of a model you are considering because it may matter very much a few years later when you want to sell your car. Today, all new cars are good but the resale values of the less popular models are much less than they should be.

Importance of a test drive

It is very important that you should personally test drive the car you want to buy because it is only with a test drive that you can judge the acceleration and feel the comfort, ride and handling. It is only inside the car that you can feel whether it is as spacious and comfortable as you would like it to be. You should take your time sitting in the car as all new cars offer a number of new gadgets like keyless entry, reverse parking assist, GPS navigation, blue tooth entertainment, daytime running lights, on board computer, dashboard information display, et cetera. Do not also overlook the safety features like ABS brakes, airbags, telescopic steering, anti theft devices, et cetera. They do cost more but your life is worth still more. Insist on a longish test drive because most important of all, you must like the feel of your new car bothin the driving seat and as a passenger. Buying a new car is one of your important decisions so don’t rely on the words of a friend. Even well meaning friends can confuse you. Test drive yournew car yourself to ensure that you have made the right decision.

(The author is the region’s most celebrated automobile columnist)