The price of the car and your financial capabilities
According to A. Šimkus, the first and probably the most important question that everyone looking for a car should answer is what amount can I spend on a new purchase?
“First of all, you should assess your financial capabilities. It is not uncommon for people’s wishes and capabilities to go beyond reality. A person buys a luxurious, powerful car, but not only does he not think about how he will have to cover its leasing later, but he also does not think about its operating costs – more expensive parts, insurance, higher fuel consumption. Therefore, before buying a car, think carefully whether the new purchase will not become a financial burden that you will not be able to bear”, says the specialist.
According to him, there is also an unwritten rule, which says that you should choose a car whose value is not higher than 3-4 months’ salary of the buyer.
“If you earn, for example, 2,000 euros per month, choose a car with a price of 8,000 euros. If you have 5,000 euros, you should not be afraid to borrow the same amount and buy a newer, better car, because it will have fewer problems in the long run, the car will be less polluting, and its residual value will be higher. Kauto.lt always helps with financing issues and finds the most suitable financing solution for each customer,” advises A. Šimkus.
When buying a non-new car, according to the interviewee, additional costs should also be considered.
“In all cases, after buying a used car, you should perform an operational inspection – check the lubricants, filters – maybe they need to be changed, maybe you need a new engine belt or tires.” These are not very big expenses, but it is also necessary to think about them”, emphasizes the specialist.
Model and body type
After calculating your financial possibilities, the next, much more pleasant step is to choose the desired car model.
“I probably won’t surprise anyone when I say that the following three models reign supreme among Lithuanian choices: BMW, Audi and Volkswagen.” However, little by little, our drivers are also discovering Opel. Newer model Opels can be purchased for a similar price to the aforementioned trio. For example, the 2012-2014 VW Passat costs 7-8 thousand. euros, and for the same amount you can buy 2013-2016. “Opel”, whose operation will cost similarly, but the comfort equipment in the cabin will usually be better”, says A. Šimkus.
So if you are not a fan of a specific manufacturer, according to the representative of Kauto.lt, the year of manufacture, operating costs and equipment are the main things you should pay attention to when choosing a car model.
However, according to A. Šimkus, the model determines only part of the search – it is very important to choose the right body type.
“If a person mostly drives on city streets, does not have small children, then maybe a hatchback that is easy to park and does not consume much fuel will be enough for him. However, if a person likes to go on trips by car, for example, often goes to the sea, to nature, has a family, children – you should think about a station wagon or even an SUV”, says the interviewer.
It is this type of body, as A. Šimkus says, that is becoming an increasingly common sight on the streets of Lithuania.
“Today, the SUV market can be found in a wide variety of sizes, from the small Opel Mokka to the large VW Touareg.” Such cars are perfect for both city and country driving. They are quite spacious, sitting high gives a greater sense of security, and only the front drive axle means lower fuel consumption,” says the representative of Kauto.lt.
However, for those who live in the country, where the roads are not cleaned often, and part of the route to work consists of a gravel road, the interviewer suggests to think about a more powerful SUV, which will not only allow you to overcome serious obstacles, but also, if necessary, pull out a stuck neighbor.
According to A. Šimkaus, sedans, which were called the standard and the golden mean for a long time, are gradually losing their positions today.
“Nowadays, sedans are produced much less, so finding them automatically becomes more difficult. Unlike station wagons, not all sedans have rear seats that open, so if you need to bring back some larger cargo or pack more things for a trip, problems arise. So, I would say that sedans are a choice for the same city dwellers who simply want more comfort from a car, but do not expect versatility,” says the interviewer.
Fuel and operating costs
When a representative of Kauto.lt asked how often Lithuanians tend to choose a car based on its fuel consumption, A. Šimkus said that not everyone thinks about it, and many of our compatriots have opinions about what a car’s engine should be.
“There are people who are convinced that, for example, a BMW 5-series or an Audi A6 must have a 3-liter engine. However, a powerful engine is not always necessary, especially when considering fuel consumption and the cost of maintenance. For example, the Audi A6 with a 3-liter engine has a chain drive, while the 2-liter has a belt drive. Of course, the chain lasts longer, but if it is necessary to replace it, you may have to lay 2 thousand. euros, when changing the belt drive costs about 400 euros,” says the specialist.
According to him, if the car will be used for most of its operating time in the city, a 1.2- to 1.6-liter engine is definitely not a bad option for those who want to save money.
“We recently sold a 2018 SUV. Opel Grandland with a 1.2-liter gasoline engine. For a similar price, the customer could purchase a diesel-powered 2012. Audi SUV. Due to the more powerful engine, his eyes were more focused on Audi, but after testing both cars, he was very surprised that 1.2 liters was completely enough for him, and in the end he bought an Opel”, A. Šimkus shares the story and adds that there are also smaller engines less polluting, which can help avoid tougher pollution taxes.
Reliability of the seller
After assessing your finances, naming your expectations and choosing a car, the last step is to find a dealer who can offer you the desired vehicle. In this place, the most important aspect, according to A. Šimkaus, is the reliability of the seller.
“A reliable seller will always include the full price of the car in the sales contract without trying to avoid taxes. If the value of the transaction is greater than 5 thousand. euros, according to the law, an honest seller will only accept payment by transfer. Also, the seller, who has nothing to hide, will allow the car to be checked through the “carVertical” report, and for diagnostics – to be taken not to the service chosen by him, but to the place where the buyer himself wants,” says the interviewer.
According to A. Šimkaus, the seller’s ability to offer a wide range of cars is a great help in saving the buyer’s time and money.
“Imagine, a person sits at a computer, scrolls through ads, but just from the photos, he has no idea what it’s like to drive that car, whether it will be convenient, comfortable, meet expectations. The only solution is to go to the dealer, maybe in another city, to test drive that vehicle. What if the car won’t fit? Then go to another seller to the other end of Lithuania, and all over again? This is both time wasted and money spent. For example, our lot has over 250 cars that every potential buyer can test drive right here on site. You don’t need to run anywhere – everything is nearby”, says the interviewer.
The last, but not the least important criterion, according to which you should choose a seller, is the warranty provided.
“When buying from a natural person, it’s not worth expecting guarantees, in the best case, if you buy a car and it turns out that it’s out of order and you prove the defects, you can expect a refund, but it’s quite difficult to prove that the car had defects even before it was purchased. However, if you buy from a company and it provides a guarantee, it is a strong proof that the deal is made with honest sellers who do not shirk responsibility”, says A. Šimkus.
In the case of Kauto.lt, the warranty depends on the specific car and reaches up to 2 months. Not only that, the “Regitra” salon pays the pollution and registration fees, gives 1 month’s insurance as a gift and helps to arrange all documents related to leasing.
“The client does not need to worry about car registration, insurance order – we prepare the contract and other documents quickly, smoothly and comfortably, and if the purchase requires warranty repair – we do it without hesitation”, guarantees the representative of the salon.
