What Car Knowledge Should You Have Before Buying A Specific Model?

It’s safe to say that buying a car isn’t something you want to rush into. You likely know that, of course. But if we don’t have much car knowledge (don’t worry, you don’t need to be a mechanic to like cars), it may be hard to decide between them. You could just pick the one that looks nice, has comfy seats, and comes in your favorite colour, but that might not be the best long-term decision for the most part, as a car is a big purchase, so it helps to go in knowing a few things, and especially about the specific model you’re interested in.

But that’s a little bit of a platitude, and so instead of just telling you to “research more,” we hope we can offer some more prescient advice.

If you’re about to buy a car, here’s the knowledge you should have beforehand.

The Car’s History & Reputation

Every car model has a bit of a reputation, in either direction. It might be known for their reliability, but some are known for constant repairs and frustration. In the same way, some hold their value well, others depreciate really fast. If you’re eyeing a particular model, look into its history and consider owner clubs, as they’ll be sure to tell you (and frankly at that), how it’s performed over the years, what current owners say about it, and if it has any common issues.

For example, Kia models have built a strong reputation over the years for reliability and affordability, but not every model is the same. Some might be better for fuel efficiency, others for tech features. Knowing this before you buy can save you from future surprises.

Running Costs & Insurance

We tend to think of initial cost more than anything, but long-term running cost is just as, if not more important for the daily reality of your life. So check out fuel efficiency, insurance rates, maintenance costs, and even the price of replacement parts, because it could potentially give one car the edge over another. It’s a reason why some people will go for hybrid options over conventionally fuelled cars, because they can be cheaper to run in the future. A cheaper car upfront might actually cost more in the long run if it has bad fuel mileage or expensive repairs.

Features & Tech You Actually Need

Now, you don’t have to understand every single feature the car has, as modern cars come with a lot of features, but not all of them are necessary for every driver. Perhaps you just want a simple car, but others want lane assist, adaptive cruise control, and heated everything because it’ll make their family driving experience more convenient.

Ask what you can do without if needed, for instance, if you’re not planning on driving in cold weather often, do you really need a heated steering wheel? Probably not. But if you’re on the road a lot, good fuel economy and safety features should be pretty high on your list.

With this advice, we hope you can feel wiser about the next car buying process you go through.