Unhappy with Your Current Car Brand? Here's How to Pick a New One
It's unfortunate when you buy a car and end up having troubles with it or simply not enjoying it. It's not surprising that you're probably looking for a different car brand for your next auto purchase. Here are some ways to decide which car brand to go with.
Make a List of Things You Disliked About Your Brand
The first thing to do is make a list of the things that you wish were different about your car. Is it a European car with higher than average maintenance costs? Did it tend to break down a lot? Was the handling terrible? Whatever it is that you disliked, this should be a guiding force in searching for your new brand. Many car-buying resources compare cars on all of these features, making it easy to see which brands would be an improvement on yours.
Look at Recent Reports on Brands
Looking at reports and rankings of car brands is a great way to see which makers are topping the charts on various dimensions. Rather than best "all-around" rankings, you might want to look at rankings on specific factors. For example, which cars got the best fuel-efficiency ratings last year? Which ones did the best on their crash tests? From these charts, it may become clear which models to keep at the top of your list.
Look at Reviews of Recent Models
These ranking charts are very helpful, but you may also want to look at individuals' ratings of their cars. Several online resources allow you to see what owners have said about their cars. It adds a personal touch because you'll learn what the experience of an owner was like over the course of many years of ownership. Before you buy any car, you might want to return to the reviews to make sure that people are having a good experience with that car.
Make a List of Brands to Try
From all of the above, gather a list of three to five car brands that you're most interested in. That way, when you visit a dealer, you can stay focused on exploring the cars that will meet your needs the best.
Get Help from Your Dealer
In inspecting the cars in person and doing a driving test, you may have already narrowed down your selection. But don't neglect the knowledge of your car dealership on the best brands; they might help you make that final call between two cars that are a big improvement on your old one.