How do you decide to buy a car for YOU?

[sathya_nars]

Well, there are various ways of deciding to buy a car. Lets see how most of us in TBHP decide (past/present/future).

Options to choose among (multiple can be selected):

1. Going by spec/features/data sheet - I know what I pay for
2. Going by experience of known person with same car
3. Seeking advise from experts (automags, online forums, friends, etc)
4. I just buy the one who is Leader/Top selling in the segment
5. I simply go with brand name and buy whatever fits in my budget
6. Additionally, I drive it myself and buy only if convinced
7. I go with promotions of a model in media (ads, etc)
8. Other reasons (please explain)

[manikjeet]

i will buy what i need at that time

if i have to buy a car for city use i will buy a small car or i want to use it for highway use i will buy a big car such as innova
basically the usage determines the cars which i buy

[abhilashvk]

I find there are multiple factors that goes into decision making.
I shall list mine in the order - factors that I considered when I bought my car
1.Specs/data
2.User feed back - On mileage, A.S.S and maintenance
3.Test Drive

[GTO]

I pretty much see what I like in the car, rather than what an advertorial or fancy brochure has to say about it.

Factors that influence my purchase:

1. Looks
2. Quality
3. Engine performance
4. Handling
5. Brand name
6. Depth of engineering

I have never considered ride quality, which shows in the Vtec (16 inchers), C220 and Jeep. Yup, my folks hate me for this !

[dadu]

For me its:
1) Budget, I shortlist cars within the available budget +/- few 1000's
2) Then I look at the overall looks combined with data/specs
3) Feedback from end-users, test drives results
4) Servicability and spares availability
5) Brand value

[msdivy]

How I go about:

1. List all cars in my budget
2. Shortlist based on personal & family requirements & likings
3. Test drive the short listed cars
4. Select the car
5. Let the family select the color

[Shankyz]

I look at

1. My needs, seating capacity, comfortable ride, good AC (Delhi summers are too hot and too long) for this I do TD of all options (Cars under consideration), multiple times if needed.
2. Budget
3. Servicability, spare availability & cost, OEM reliability
4. Look at the Data sheet and separate the "must haves" from the "nice to have" & any other additional goodies
5. Take Top 2-3 , look at any compromise on feature/price/reliability etc between these and
6. Decide the final choice with others (Friends/family) opinions

[Surprise]

Originally Posted by dadu

For me its:
1) Budget, I shortlist cars within the available budget +/- few 1000's
2) Then I look at the overall looks combined with data/specs
3) Feedback from end-users, test drives results, Feed back from fellow TEAM-BHP members
4) Servicability and spares availability
5) Brand value

Same as Dadu's style

[weejai]

I go with:
1) My requirement
2) The budget

Car that fits well within the above two criteria is what I buy. Only once I have gone by my childhood dream of a gypsy; otherwise it is strictly the purpose for which I am looking for a car. Big or small is okay with me.

[msdivy]

Originally Posted by msdivy

How I go about:

1. List all cars in my budget
2. Shortlist based on personal & family requirements & likings
3. Test drive the short listed cars & collect people's experience in terms of problems, safety, comfort, maintenance, dealers for that car.
4. Select the car
5. Let the family select the color

Adding the missed a step in bold:

[cheap_deal]

my priorities would be
1. Performance (decent torque and +bhp, no i dont consider a Civic a performance car!!!)
2. Handling (RWD favored)
3. Looks
4. Price

[speedzak]

What if someone considers everything and makes a decision based on all? I need an option like that.

[BUSA]

Its best to drive a car yourself before buying it.

[iTNerd]

for me.. it has a different perspective... I judged based on the balance between looks + adrenaline rush + excitment + FE + Price + and more importantly something that is FRESH and radically DIFFERENT from others

[Jaggu]

Spec vs Budget (short list the few options) then move to, Test drive.