This can be comforting to the tens of thousands of Aussie car shoppers annually who feel like they don’t really have any particular strategy when they’re researching vehicles online. But if you’re starting to think you may benefit from developing a tried and tested car buying strategy to employ for your next car purchase, then you’re not alone.
With EVs flooding the market now too, there are so many more models, specs, and data points to wrap your head around, so it’s best to establish strong research habits and a well-defined strategy to make sure you’re always buying with the right information.
Here are just a few of the more commonly employed methods from Aussie car shoppers to ensure they’re getting their money’s worth when buying and selling cars today.
Start researching early and with a wide scope
While it’s all too easy to start your car shopping process with a particular vehicle in mind (i.e. one that’s caught your eye out on the street, for instance), this may not actually be the best foot forward for buyers looking to get the best deal. Instead, it’s actually better to start your search with a broader idea of what you’re looking for and then narrow down based on spec overviews.
When you compare cars side by side, for example, you can get a closer look into vehicle features and specifications, including ANCAP safety ratings, fuel economy, engine specs, and other key information that may differentiate one year’s model from another. Using this method, you can also disqualify one model at a time and ensure every additional comparison is between two higher quality or higher value vehicles. This granular approach to car comparisons helps ensure the model you end up setting your sights on ticks all the necessary boxes.
Make a list outlining preferred specs and features
Speaking of ticking boxes, comparing cars online also helps you gauge which specs and features are most valuable to you. Having this information on-hand may even see you considering other vehicle makes and models outside of your defined scope – which isn’t always a bad thing!
Finding similar makes and models that offer all your ideal specs and features at a lower drive-away price can be a great outcome – especially if those newly discovered models may have added perks of being in wide supply, meaning full availability of spare parts if needed.
Buying for specifications versus buying for branding will ultimately help you invest in a car that not only meets your preferences today, but also continues to tick logistical boxes over the long term.
Explore third-party reviews, testimonials, and performance reports
It’s best to avoid relying entirely on anecdotal evidence when doing car research, but if multiple previous owners are reporting the same issues online, then this isn’t something to be ignored.
Car manufacturers don’t always comment on consumer reports, which is what makes them such a resource for car shoppers looking for the right information. Branded brochures and dealership websites will only give you so much information, but if you’re looking at third-party unsponsored reviews, then you can equip yourself with a better, more well-rounded understanding of that particular make or model.
This is also why a lot of car shopping tools online also include review and comment sections for previous or current vehicle owners. Reddit can also be a valuable resource, just so long as the thread you’re reading through isn’t outdated! Other resources include RACV Car Match, Drive, ProductReview, CarExpert, and the Green Vehicle Guide for those looking to compare fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions specifically, alongside other green specifications.
Define your budget, including sales prices and ongoing costs
The sticker price is naturally a major consideration for all car shoppers, but remember that your purchase price is just one figure at the end of the day. What really matters is the estimated ongoing costs that you can anticipate with the vehicle you’ve purchased.
In other words, some cars have higher maintenance needs than others, which means that anything you save in spending at the dealership or with your seller, might not offset what the vehicle ends up costing you over its usable lifespan or over your ownership tenure.
The age-old example is buying a secondhand vehicle model that has known engine issues. Maybe your seller gives you a good deal on the purchase price, but only to offset the fact that you can expect to spend more repairing or even replacing the engine entirely.
The same goes for new cars too, however. Now that approximately one in every new five cars sold is electric, more car buyers are looking at battery specifications to ensure they won’t need to budget for a battery replacement sooner than expected. Just because you’re looking at buying an EV and are anticipating the trade-off of a higher sale price for lower fuel expenses and servicing fees, it doesn’t mean you’re not still at risk of buying a lemon! Even EV models require robust scrutiny before any sales paperwork is signed.
Buy your next car with confidence using a comprehensive car shopping strategy
With the sheer abundance of information available to consumers online, there’s no wonder why the first step for a lot of prospective buyers is jumping on Google and their favourite car comparison websites. But if you don’t have a well-structured process for conducting your self-led research, then you risk pulling the trigger on a sale that doesn’t entirely meet your needs – or perhaps even buying a car without all the most up-to-date information.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take much effort to prepare a solid car shopping strategy using the resources available to you. And once you’ve got that strategy down, you can use it to find a vehicle that meets not only your needs today, but perhaps even your evolving requirements as your lifestyle shifts and changes as well.
