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View Poll Results: How do you decide to buy a car for YOU?
Going by spec/features/data sheet - I know what I pay for 112 73.20%
Going by experience of known person with same car 46 30.07%
Seeking advise from experts (automags, online forums, friends, etc) 85 55.56%
I just buy the one who is Leader/Top selling in the segment 3 1.96%
I simply go with brand name and buy whatever fits in my budget 11 7.19%
Additionally, I drive it myself and buy only if convinced 117 76.47%
I go with promotions of a model in media (ads, etc) 6 3.92%
Other reasons (please explain) 12 7.84%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 153. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 3rd September 2007, 14:01   #1
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How do you decide to buy a car for YOU?

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)
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Old 3rd September 2007, 14:18   #2
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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
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Old 3rd September 2007, 14:27   #3
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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
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Old 3rd September 2007, 14:59   #4
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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 !
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Old 3rd September 2007, 15:20   #5
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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

Last edited by dadu : 3rd September 2007 at 15:21.
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Old 3rd September 2007, 15:29   #6
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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
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Old 3rd September 2007, 15:33   #7
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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
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Old 3rd September 2007, 15:47   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dadu View Post
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
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Old 3rd September 2007, 16:03   #9
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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.
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Old 3rd September 2007, 16:06   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by msdivy View Post
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:
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Old 3rd September 2007, 17:46   #11
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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
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Old 3rd September 2007, 17:52   #12
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What if someone considers everything and makes a decision based on all? I need an option like that.
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Old 3rd September 2007, 18:06   #13
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Its best to drive a car yourself before buying it.
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Old 3rd September 2007, 18:17   #14
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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
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Old 3rd September 2007, 18:32   #15
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Spec vs Budget (short list the few options) then move to, Test drive.
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