- These questions are some of the most important once any car buyer must ask to help them make better choices.
- This article brings to your attention the important question you must ask before buying any car in Nigeria in 2024.
- Getting good answers to these questions will impact the quality of the car, and how much fun you’ll have with it.
With massively inflated prices of everything in Nigeria, car shopping in 2023 can be an absolute nightmare. However, some people have to do it. Whether you’re looking to upgrade, shopping, or you just have enough to buy a car in this climate because you feel like it, there are some things to consider.
Here are five things to consider before you buy a car this coming year!
What Safety Systems are Included?
According to experts, safety features on a vehicle should be your number one priority when shopping for a new car.
Many active safety systems like forward collision warning systems, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking are not standard equipment on some vehicles. So, it’s important to be sure that you’re getting all the safety systems you want.
“Call the dealership and ask a salesperson which features are on the specific car you plan to buy,” says Kelly Funkhouser, manager for vehicle technology at CR. “Then cross-check the window sticker to make sure the features you want are listed.”
Should I Buy a Petrol or Hybrid Vehicle?
Though the cost of cars is through the roof right now, the more concerning issue to most is the cost of fuel. So, making the switch to a hybrid can save thousands in fuel. Additionally, plug-in hybrids offer a solid middle ground that allows for remarkable fuel economy.
If you’re someone who drives a lot, a hybrid or plug-in hybrid will benefit you greatly. That’s especially true if you don’t have access to 220-volt home charging, considering most plug-in hybrids can charge overnight on a standard 110-volt wall outlet.
Does it Meet Your Needs in Terms of Towing or Road Quality?
Obviously, if you’re planning on buying a new vehicle for towing, you’re in a bit of a box when it comes to vehicle selection. However, smaller vehicles than you think are capable of pulling small campers and trailers. So, be sure to identify how much towing capacity you need. From there, you’ll be able to see what vehicles meet your needs. If you frequently drive on rough Nigerian roads or off-road entirely, again, you should buy a car with great off-roading qualities. You’ll be grateful you did!
How Much Will Maintenance Cost?
This is a supremely important question to ask when considering the inflated prices of vehicles in today’s market. Likely, you’ll be taking a pretty substantial depreciation loss over the next few years. That’s especially true when buying a new car at the moment. So, you need to know how much it’s going to cost to maintain it if you intend to keep it for the long run.
Some new vehicles come with complimentary maintenance plans, free oil changes, tire rotations, etc. It’s important to get these services in writing at the time of purchase. Tread lightly with some maintenance packages, though.
Do I Like the Infotainment System?
This may seem a bit funny, but it isn’t something to be taken lightly. After all, you could be spending the next handful of years interacting with this technology. Something like a little screen lag or a feature you don’t like could get annoying over time.
Make sure you take the vehicle for a test drive and spend some time testing and interacting with the infotainment system and other tech features. After all, you could wind up being woefully annoyed with it right off the bat. Who wants that in their new car?
Furthermore, you should be positive it has all the features you want. Not every car has integrated 110-volt outlets, built-in USB ports, or AM radio.
Conclusion
Aside from these critical elements, ensuring general things like cargo and storage space are sufficient for you and your family and that it’s a color you want should result in you enjoying your purchase. Buying a new car can be stressful! However, with careful planning and research, it doesn’t have to be!
