Long gone are the days when acquiring a car was a real luxury for a person. In addition, the choice of models in the past was very scarce and limited. Another thing today. The automotive market offers us a huge selection of cars with a wide variety of technical specifications and modifications. How not to get confused with this choice, especially if in your pocket are brand new, just obtained driving rights? And for a more experienced driver and a beginner, before buying, you should definitely think over those basic criteria on which he will base his choice.
Which car do you need?
Before choosing a car, you should decide on the purpose of its purchase. What will it be used for? For travel to work? In order to carry children? Or maybe you need a working car, which will drive quite a lot? This will need to be decided for yourself in the first place.
Next, you should choose a car according to the parameters, which, in particular, can be:
- car volume;
- amount of fuel consumed;
- security;
- equipment;
- ease of management.
Only after this can you pay attention to such criteria as interior and shape, color, “bells and whistles” and so on.
It is worth remembering that the machine that will be used to transport children must be equipped with an additional security system and be sufficiently spacious in size. If the car is intended for work, then it must be chosen as the most economical. After all, with a constant need for refueling, you will have to work not for yourself, but for gasoline. Anyone who is going to travel to the office should purchase a car with easy control. This will avoid problems while in daily traffic jams. But in any case, before choosing a car, it is important to determine the goals of the purchase. If she is not alone, then, accordingly, she will have to select an “iron horse” by several criteria at once.
Car class
Before choosing a car, it is worth comparing your desires with the available financial capabilities. Do not forget that after acquiring a machine, it will require maintenance costs or the purchase of all kinds of accessories and parts.
A practical person will necessarily take into account the operating conditions of his future “iron horse”. And this will require solving the issue of the class of car that best suits the needs of its owner.
So, urban residents most often prefer small-sized cars, which, according to the classification conventionally adopted in Europe, belong to the class “B”. At the same time, those models that have a hatchback body, as well as front-wheel drive, become the most desirable of them. These vehicles include Opel and Fiat Punto, Ford Fusion and Volkswagen. On such machines it is easiest to move around the city, they have good maneuverability, low maintenance and a relatively low price.
Increased consumer properties and capacity are possessed by middle class “P” vehicles. Among them are Ford Mondeo and Opel Vectra, Peugeot 406 and Audi A4. This is the best option when choosing a car.
There are also cars that are great for large families. They belong to the MPV class. These are Toyota Ipsum and Mazda Premacy, Honda Odyssey and minivans - Chevrolet Orlando, Mazda 5 and many others. These cars are designed for the average consumer who prefers to travel with friends or transport their large family.Such cars are distinguished by a successful interior layout, comfortably tuned suspensions, an economical engine and an eye-pleasing design.
A car from a passenger compartment or a used car?
How to choose a car? Which one should I prefer - new or used? Should he be a handsome man recently rolled off the line or is it better to opt for a car that has already passed the test of roads?
And here it is worth turning to statistics. And according to her, the majority of accidents occur precisely on new cars. Explain this fact is very simple. Inexperienced drivers, fearing to damage their “iron friend” recently bought in the cabin, sometimes make irreparable mistakes due to the fact that they are simply lost in a large number of unfamiliar electronic devices. That is why anyone who is wondering how to choose a car for a beginner should think about buying a used car. He will become not only a loyal assistant for those who are just mastering driving skills, but will also help in getting acquainted with the technical equipment of the vehicle.
Tips for buying a used car
If your car will not be purchased in the cabin, you should especially carefully approach the process of its preliminary inspection. How to choose a used car, so as not to fall on the hook of a fraudulent seller?
First of all, it is recommended to pay attention to the price of the car. At the same time, you should not be tempted at too low a cost, because such a car can simply be stolen or beaten. The procedure for familiarizing yourself with the vehicle should always begin by looking at its documents. It is important to pay attention to the numbers of the body and engine. It is those that are indicated in the data sheet, and must correspond to the marking on the car.
How to choose a used car so that it serves its new owner as long as possible? During the technical inspection of such a machine, special attention is recommended to be paid to the body. After all, this is the main part of any car. If the deformation of the roof or the sagging rear part, as well as the thickened wings, catches your eye, then we can safely talk about poor-quality repairs carried out after a serious accident. It is also recommended to check the tightness of the trunk, hood and doors. It is important to evaluate the condition of the bottom, on which there may be corrosion damage. And during a short trip by car, it is easy to find out the state of its suspension and brakes. It will also become clear how the vehicle obediently steers. It is important that the vehicle travel is calm, without knocking the motor and without vibrations.
Of course, there is nothing surprising in the fact that when inspecting a used car, a number of malfunctions will be revealed. This should not be an obstacle to its purchase. The final decision will depend on the degree of damage and how realistic is the possibility of its elimination.
How to choose a car for a beginner? For this, it is best to consult an experienced motorist or auto mechanic. But it should be borne in mind that the most optimal option for such an acquisition is cars with mileage of 60-100 thousand km, whose age is from 3 to 5 years.
If the budget is limited
As a rule, the first car for most beginners is the domestic VAZ. It has a quite budget price, and therefore, the inexperienced owners still treat its choice with some negligence. However, they do it in vain. After all, sometimes the problems that are simply not paid attention to during the purchase then fall like a heavy burden on the shoulders of the new owner.
How to choose a VAZ car so that it can serve its owner a not too short period of time? It is recommended to start, of course, from the body. Indeed, like any other car, a VAZ is selected, first of all, in appearance. First of all, it is worth looking under the bottom. Based on his condition, it will be possible to draw the first conclusions.It is also worth paying attention to stiffeners located under the thresholds. If they are too dented, then there is something to think about.
There is also a surefire way to determine if a WHA has crashed. To do this, look at the spars going into the engine compartment along the gearbox. During a strong blow, these parts are sure to tear and bulge up. If traces of fresh welding are found at their location, then the conclusion can be made unequivocal - the car got into an accident.
Further, during the inspection, it is worth paying attention to the presence of plastic fenders. These are parts that protect the wings from moisture. In the absence of wing flaps, it is worth inspecting the place where the steering gearbox is mounted. Over time, cracks may appear in this area. And this will lead to a failure of the steering.
It is enough to inspect the suspension by rocking the car and listening for any creaks. If they do exist, then the cause of this is the cracking of the spring cups. A similar problem is very common even in not very old VAZ cars.
As for the back, there are no problem spots in it. Check only the bottom of the trunk. It is worth paying attention to the paintwork of the body. It is desirable that it is not burnt out in the sun.
Next, go to the heart of the car - the engine. His condition should be monitored in the most thorough manner. Otherwise, the engine will stop at the most inappropriate moment for the motorist.
Of course, the motor should be uninterrupted. Thanks to the auto tachometer, average revs are easy to see. For idling, they should be 900-1000 rpm. If these values are exceeded, we can talk about the wear of the pistons or about an improperly adjusted power unit. There are many reasons for this condition, and all of them can turn into a serious repair.
If possible, unscrew the spark plug. Its color should be dark sand without any deposits and deposits. Also, there should be no oil in the engine compartment. The engine itself must be clean. But if such cleanliness is perfect, then the engine is simply washed before showing to the buyer.
The condition of the engine is also checked for exhaust gases. They should be smoke free. If it is still available and there is a blue tint in it, then it is better not to buy such a car. The fact is that with this machine serious repairs will be required.
The buyer is advised to pay attention to the silent blocks and other anthers. They must be without cracks. Shock absorbers should also not contain oil drips. Their verification is carried out by pressing strongly on the wing of the machine. With normal shock absorbers, the car stops rocking immediately after returning to its original position. Inspection of the suspension ends with jet rods. They just don't have to hang out.
After that, the interior is inspected. The interior of the car is its face. And so here everything should be at a fairly normal level. Among the problems that often arise are cracking of the instrument panel and loss of fixation by the backs. The latter malfunction is very unpleasant. After all, without fixing, the back will fall even at the slightest braking of the car. When inspecting the cabin, do not forget about checking the operability of electrical appliances and power windows.
In conclusion, you just need to drive. Only in this case it will be possible to feel the dynamics of the car and find out if it has brakes, clutch, steering in order. When driving it becomes clear and engine throttle response.
Buying a car in the passenger compartment
When purchasing a new car, buyers seek to have at their disposal a safe, convenient and reliable vehicle, which in the future will require a minimum of attention from them.Many people prefer not to buy Russian cars, but imported ones, relying on high quality, a manufacturer’s guarantee and excellent prospects for further resale.
What are the selection criteria to be guided in this case? The decision to purchase a particular model and brand should be made after considering not only the price offer, but also some technical characteristics, such as engine power, dynamic performance, as well as the presence of some pleasant things, such as an air conditioner. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the safety of the vehicle, the quality of its assembly, as well as the cost of maintaining the car and its maintenance.
There is an opinion that when answering the question “How to choose a car for a novice driver?” It is not always worth leaning in favor of a used vehicle. An important argument in this case is that the risk of damage to the new machine is minimized. Inexperienced drivers are not ready for lengthy repairs and the search for spare parts, which, moreover, can be discontinued over the years. This is especially true of foreign cars. To buy spare parts for them, you have to lay out a large amount of money, and the original parts are completely unavailable at a price.
First car selection criteria
Those who do not yet have sufficient driving experience, it is important that his vehicle was as comfortable as possible. Especially if this is the first car. How to choose it and what should be its configuration?
It is recommended that such a car possess the most significant list of functions, namely:
- air conditioning, which will provide the desired temperature in the cabin;
- central locking, which makes it easy to close the doors;
- power steering, allowing the steering wheel to rotate without the application of special efforts of the driver;
- ABS system producing step braking;
- power windows, allowing to abandon torment with spinning handles;
- electrically heated seats, which provide additional comfort in the cold season.
Engine
For those who want to choose a car, it is important to pay attention to its most important detail. It is, of course, the engine. The most popular from a technical point of view is today a gasoline engine. However, in this matter, everything is not so straightforward. It is desirable that the car engine is not only powerful, but also quite economical. The first of these two parameters is expressed in horsepower. And if this is the first car, how to choose an engine so that it suits the owner of the car as much as possible? When a hatchback is purchased, it is enough for a beginner to have the engine power in the range from 125 to 150 horsepower. However, for those who purchase a wagon, a car engine will need a completely different one. If the power does not reach the mark of 200 horsepower, then consider the car as an option to buy is not even worth it. However, focusing only on this indicator is not necessary. After all, powerful motors require more fuel consumption. And this is a serious blow to the pocket of the car owner.
The most economical from this point of view are diesel engines. However, they are most often installed on utility vehicles and SUVs. Moreover, such engines can be called economical only if the mileage of the car during the year exceeds the mark of 40 thousand kilometers.
Automatic or mechanics?
This issue is especially relevant in cases where the problem of how to choose a car for a woman is considered. Indeed, many experienced male drivers believe that an automatic transmission is best for ladies driving. This question is important for beginners. After all, an automatic transmission is capable of adjusting speed itself at the right time. However, as in all other matters, it is worth following only the criteria of expediency.
Of course, when driving in megacities, when the right distance is overcome in constant traffic jams, and where countless traffic lights are installed on the roads, the automatic transmission will serve as an excellent assistant to the driver. In this case, the engine will work as expected and not overload. The machine will decide for itself how many revolutions it should include. However, it is worth considering that this increases fuel consumption. It must be borne in mind that such a gearbox breaks easily, and its replacement will result in a significant amount to the owner. For those who live outside the city, the machine, even with a slight slippage on the road, is already starting to fail. But the mechanical-type gearbox perfectly obeys the driver. Of course, for its development it will take a certain amount of time, but this will allow the car to be always obedient and more economical.
Drive unit
Many car owners would not refuse to have an SUV. Yes, it not only sounds beautiful, but also looks pretty impressive. Such a machine behaves off-road, like a trained obedient steed. And the secret of this car lies in its all-wheel drive. This means that all four wheels are driving in the car. For those who live outside the city, an all-wheel drive car is a great choice. However, in this case, saving gasoline is not worth remembering. The fuel consumption of this "iron horse" can terrify anyone (about 15-20 liters per 100 km).
As for the car with front-wheel drive, then off-road it is unlikely to be possible to drive. But in the conditions of city streets such a machine will be great to listen to the steering wheel and sensitively respond to all its movements. Pleasantly delight the owner and fuel consumption.
Body type
When choosing a car, you should understand that the ideal vehicle simply does not exist. Each car owner has his own criteria for his future acquisition.
Before choosing one or another model, it is worth deciding on the type of body. For those who purchase a car for convenient and quick movement around the city with a small number of passengers, a three-, as well as a five-door hatchback or a sedan are quite suitable. The last of these two body types is especially beautiful. This is a classic, which, in addition, has a representative appearance. With this choice, Chevrolet Aveo, Daewoo Lanos and Toyota Corolla are quite suitable for car owners.
In car models that have a hatchback body type, there are two rows of seats. The trunk of such a car is small and combined with the passenger compartment. This type of vehicle includes the Mazda 2, Daewoo Matiz and Kia Picanto.
For those motorists who are going to carry bulky goods in the trunk, the station wagon is most suitable. Such cars are classified as cargo-passenger. With sufficiently large volumes of cargo, you can even fold or dismantle the rear seats of the cabin. There are many models of such vehicles on the market today, including the Opel Astra Caravan, Toyota Corolla Fielder and others.
Car for a large family
Is it possible to travel comfortably for those with, for example, three children? Members of such a large family are unlikely to fit in a standard car. And if they sit in a regular model, then their trip is unlikely to be comfortable.
How to choose a car for a large family of 5 people? In this case, the main criteria for selection will be the availability of seven seats, as well as a significant amount of interior space and convenient functions that the machine is equipped with.
For family use, a crossover and a station wagon, an SUV and a minivan are suitable.
Each of these machines is equipped with a third row of seats, which is desirable for a large family. This vehicle is suitable for transporting not only passengers, but also a large number of goods. This moment is very relevant for family people who constantly make large purchases.