{"id":8047,"date":"2013-12-27T16:02:50","date_gmt":"2013-12-27T08:02:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.imoney.my\/articles\/?p=8047"},"modified":"2015-12-08T10:29:18","modified_gmt":"2015-12-08T02:29:18","slug":"choose-the-right-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.imoney.my\/articles\/choose-the-right-car","title":{"rendered":"How To Choose The Right Car?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"car<\/a>A car ranks as the second costliest investment one will ever make in their lifetime and as such, requires adequate research and shopping around before making a commitment.<\/p>\n

This New Year is shaping up to be the right time to get a spanking new car, with the anticipated announcement on the National Automobile Policy (NAP) revision on January 15, 2014.<\/p>\n

With the revised NAP, experts are expecting car prices to be slightly lower than the year before.<\/p>\n

Buying a new car doesn\u2019t have to be complicated. Most of the time, buyers let emotion trumps logic. To prepare you for this season of car shopping, iMoney lays down these handy tips to help you choose the right car for you \u2013 jargon-free.<\/p>\n

The purchase price of your new ride aside, here is a list of things to consider to choose the right car for yourself.<\/p>\n

<\/span>1) Equipment: Built and options<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

No doubt you would have prepared a list of must-have equipment that enhances the safety, comfort and aesthetic qualities of the car you will eventually purchase. Such equipment could range from essentials such as airbags, traction control, and anti-lock brake system to more frivolous ones such as fog lights and a sunroof.<\/p>\n

While a car with all or most of the equipment you want is likely to be at the top of your list of considerations, it is important to determine the built of the equipment provided.<\/p>\n

Equipment that cannot stand the abuse of everyday use will likely mar your driving experience and cost you money to repair or replace.<\/p>\n

Consequently, it is important to know that car dealers usually sell equipment in packages.<\/p>\n

Before opting for a package, such as a body kit package, scrutinise its contents and weigh it against your wants and needs. It is also a good idea to have knowledge on how much each component of the package costs individually. If you are only interested in one out of four items in a package, you are better off getting that piece of equipment a la carte.<\/p>\n

<\/span>2) Incentive to buy<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

In a bid to attract more customers, most car manufacturers often reward buyers with a rebate or low finance rate. To qualify for a low financing rate, a buyer would still need to possess a good credit score, but rebates are generally given to all customers.<\/p>\n

In some cases, buying during festive seasons such as Chinese New Year can even net you free add-ons, such as body kits, window tints, or a few rounds of free servicing.<\/p>\n

<\/span>3) Resale value <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

A car\u2019s resale value is often overlooked when buying a car \u2013 and with good reason as most of us Malaysians intend to keep the car till the end of time. But for those who foresee themselves getting a new car after 5 to 10 years, resale value is a key consideration.<\/p>\n

Generally, a new car depreciates to approximately 60% of its purchase price after five years. A new Toyota Vios priced at approximately RM88,000 in 2008 will only fetch approximately RM52,800 today.<\/p>\n

Aside from depreciation, a car\u2019s resale value is also affected by its:<\/p>\n