It’s probably one of the most common questions someone asks when changing their car, they will ask everyone from their gym coach to the Kids babysitter to their daughter’s boyfriend’s father.
And, unfortunately, it’s also one of the least useful!
Because the answer lies in the following;
It depends on each person’s circumstances including, needs / wants / budget & so much more that is ONLY applicable to them.
I know this is not what you are wanting to hear but I’m going say it and maybe it will make sense? Or maybe I will come across as a cheeky salesperson but after 25yrs experience and constantly hearing about X / Y & three of Z’s cousins telling you to buy electric or whatever you do, DO NOT buy a certain brand, I’m willing to take the risk!
You ask why would someone not ask the question? It is a big decision and if it were you, you would want help…
Fair enough, it is a big decision – but it is YOUR money and your life
Asking 10 people what the best car is will leave you with 14 different answers, at least three arguments, a family & friends WhatsApp debate with at least one person telling you that you absolutely must buy the same car they have and not the car that you want.
“Honestly mate, you can’t go wrong with a hybrid estate.”
Meanwhile, you have two grown children, one is doing a world trip, a tiny dog that requires the front seat anyway, and a 12-mile commute twice a week and absolutely no desire to own a car the size of a small delivery van… as for the efficiency of the hybrid in these circumstances we can discuss that at a later date.
THE HARD TRUTH…
The “Best Car” Doesn’t Exist
There isn’t one magical car that is the best for everyone.
The best car for someone doing 20,000 motorway miles a year will make very little sense for someone who mainly does short trips around town.
And the best car for someone who loves gadgets, heated seats and a reversing camera might be completely different from someone who simply wants four wheels, reliability and enough boot space for the weekly shop.
Then there’s the person who says:
“I don’t care what it looks like. I just want something economical.”
…before immediately rejecting three perfectly sensible cars because they “don’t look nice” or “..everyone drives that car”
I get it, we’ve all got our priorities and when it comes to A BIG PURCHASE you don’t want to make a mistake BUT Your friend’s opinion might not be quite as scientific or fact based as they think, and yes, I know they are trying to help. We all have opinions and we all ask for them, the problem is that most advice is based on personal experience.
And personal experience is useful.
But it isn’t necessarily the same thing as finding the right car for you.
As a Car salesperson, one who is orientated on the customer not pushing something because it happens to be in the yard, I’d recommend asking yourself the following,
- How many miles do I drive each year?
- What am I willing to spend comfortably?
- How many people do I regularly carry?
- Do I need a big boot?
- Do I need / want an automatic?
- What will insurance cost?
- What sort of fuel economy do I realistically need?
- How long am I planning to keep it?
- Do I want something practical to get me from A to B, comfortable as in I’m doing big miles I need comfort seats etc, Sporty – I’ve earned this now and I am happy to go the kind of money that buys my dream car or economical – ok so I still want it to look nice but do I need 20” upgraded alloys at £1000? Do I Need Air Suspension because Joey told me I ABSOLUTELY MUST have it and any car without is C**p!
- And perhaps most importantly… what do I actually like?
Because there’s no point buying the “perfect” car on paper if you spend the next three years looking at it on the driveway thinking “I absolutely hate this thing.”
So, What’s the Best Car?
Well…
The best car is the one that’s right for you.
Before you start asking everyone you know for their opinion, have a think about what you need from your next car, before you let all the noise in from others.
At Peter McKenna Motors we would much rather ask you 7 sensible questions and help you find something that suits you than simply point at a car and announce:
“That’s the best one.”
Because when it comes to buying a used car, there is no single answer, there are OPTIONS to explore in a structured way not that do not include the car purchase history of your next door neighbour.
There’s just the right car for you and your needs
And thankfully, finding that one is what we’re here to help with.
We will listen and we will give you options based on years of experience of not just selling but servicing & repairing as well as customer feedback and then it’s up to you,
Do you buy the car you want, or do you buy the car rated most popular by your workplace colleagues?
Block out the noise, decide what you want and do your own research based on professional advice, again you don’t have to take it either but at least it comes from fact-based information!