5 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Car.
Owning a car is always perceived to be a necessity for the rich, but this has changed due to the growth of the middle class. Many car brands are coming up in the market hence massive competition for imports and local manufacturing. The latest survey from the Car Importers Association of Kenya(CIAK) reveals that 130,000 cars were imported in 2019. The number decreased to 65,000 in 2020 due to Corona Virus Pandemic that came with restrictions.
Mobius, a local manufacturer, founded in 2011 by Joel Jackson, released their first generation of cars in Kenya in 2015. The second-generation Mobius was later released in 2019. Owning a vehicle is not a walk to the park. It requires detailed research on the determinant elements to succeed in acquiring one. Below are the vital factors to consider before buying your dream car.
1. Conduct your research
Prior research is essential when looking forward to purchasing your car. There are car brands to choose from, including Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, BMW, Mitsubishi, Lexus, Honda, Audi, Mazda, Volvo, Subaru, etc. Additionally, comparing the car sub-brands would be an advantage when selecting the specific car. For example, Toyota sub-brands like Toyota Axio, Vitz and Premio would differ in maintenance compared to Toyota V8 and Toyota Land cruiser TX.
To maintain your car, consider the spare parts availability, fuel consumption, and service costs. Researching the Pros and Cons is also vital to landing on a vehicle that suits your desire. Nissan Juke, Honda Fit, Toyota Vitz differ in interior space, engine size, spare parts availability, fuel consumption when classified with high-end SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles)like Porsche Cayenne, BMW X6, Lexus RX 570, Audi Q7, and a Range Rover Sport.
2. Necessity for a car
What is pushing you to buy a car? Silly question, huh? This factor is vital since acquiring a vehicle comes with different purposes. Do you need a car to do business like Taxi services, do you buy a vehicle to move around like commuting to work and family matters or for leisure? All these questions should cling to your mind since a family car should be spacious compared to a taxi car which would be efficient if it consumes a low amount of fuel.
Car brands such as Toyota offer spacious sub-brands like Toyota Noah, Alphard, Wish, and Voxy. For SUVs, V8 and TX would serve that objective. When looking for a car for taxi services, Toyota Vitz, VW polo , Honda fit are the best option to consider. The latter saves fuel and is easy to maintain on services and spare parts availability.
3. New car or Used car
New imported cars which are not used or locally manufactured are expensive compared to newly imported used cars or locally available used cars. New vehicles with 0–1km mileage are in showrooms, and there is a guarantee for a warranty when need be. When importing a car, you need to consider many factors, including;
- Individual import or a dealer from relevant car dealers in different car yards. Importation takes about 30–45 days, most 60 days.
- Mileage (when importing a used car, a mileage of below 80000km is the best choice)
- Import papers- for action grade, the rating should be between 4.0–5.0, and the year of manufacture, which should be five years prior
If you opt to buy a car from a private seller, follow proper documentation, including Credential Logbook, to transfer ownership. The vehicle should have the correct VIN( Vehicle Identification Number) and a Chassis number( Last six digits of VIN). The TIMS car ownership transfer account is possible via NTSA (National Transport and Safety Authority). Consider going for a road test through a mechanic to ensure the car has no mechanical errors and glitches.
4. Budget
Shopping for a new car comes with tremendous excitement, and you may have a higher chance to omit to budget. Many car companies produce eye-catchy models which can deceive you into choosing a brand that doesn’t co-relate with your budget. First-time buyers tend to go for economical cars which consume less fuel and are easy to maintain.
Insurance services are also crucial from the car insurance policy. You can decide on a third-party insurance cover that will protect you against damages to the third party by the insured vehicle, which is a cheap option. Alternatively, you can choose from the high-end SUVs according to your budget but with a surety that you will adapt to the high cost of the maintenance that comes with them.
You may opt for a comprehensive insurance cover that caters to loss or damage from fire, theft, vandalism, accidental loss, natural disaster, and damage caused by animals or falling objects. All these insurance covers come with a hefty price. If you happen to get a car through loan payment, your monthly loan repayment should not exceed 20% of your Take-home pay.
5. Compare prices
Before stumbling into a car, you need to check the price information in advance. Whether you are importing or from a local dealership, a list of different prices would be efficient to pick the best price that suits you. Compare car bazaars in various cities and towns like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
Yaya motors in Nairobi, CMC Motors, Windsor motors, Motorhub along Kiambu road, DT Dobie, and many car dealers along Ngong road are your best choices. Look out for a trusted dealer who will source for a car that matches your expectations. The best feeling at the end of the day is getting your dream car at the best of the best price ever. It feels like a champion, right?
Conclusion
Choosing a car of your choice is not an easy task. Follow the above five tips to consider before buying a car, and you’ll live to enjoy the comfortability that comes with your dream car.
