Why you should buy now

23/03/09

Want to buy but feel nervous because of economic gloom? Here's how buying now will grab you a real bargain Why buy a new car now? With so much bad news in the air, it’s easy to see why would-be buyers might hang back. But if you still have a job and some spare cash, then buying now could net you a once-and-forever bargain.

 First, cars have never been so good. They’re now more comfortable, sophisticated, reliable and even better to drive than they were even 10 years ago. But even if your current car is newer than that, it’s worth trading up for the many luxury touches that are now fitted. All but the cheapest models have remote locking, electric windows and mirrors as standard, along with air conditioning and superb stereo radio/CD players. Many will allow you to plug in your ipod, too.

Second, they are far safer. And that holds good for driver, passengers and other road users. When Euro NCAP began its independent testing back in the late 1990s, plenty of cars scored only two stars out of four for occupant safety and many gained only one star out of four for their ability to protect pedestrians. Since then the tests have evolved to rate occupant protection out of five stars, and that’s the number than most new models now achieve, while three out of four stars for pedestrian protection is becoming increasingly common. All new cars now have anti-lock brakes, while six airbags are usual on all but the smallest, cheapest ‘minis.

Third, they are far cleverer. Cars that park themselves, wake drivers who get drowsy, and project speed and other vital information on to the windscreen would, only a few years back, have existed only in science fiction. Now there’s an increasing number you can buy with such devices aboard, while cruise control that ‘follows’ the car ahead while keeping a safe distance is also available.

Fourth. They are far greener. Full-size family cars that can achieve up to 70mpg are now fact, and they do this while emitting as little as a tenth of the carbon dioxide that a typical mid-1990s saloon might kick out.

Fifth. Warranties are longer. Kia offers an amazing seven-year/100,000 miles warranty on its Cee’d range of small hatchbacks. Hyundai and Daihatsu provide five years of cover, an offer matched by Fiat on its Bravo hatchback. Everyone else offers at least three years.

Sixth. There are bargains out there as never before. Whether it’s Skoda paying the value added tax for you (saving 15%), Vauxhall offering to buy your old banger for £1000 and recycling it, or Seat offering a £1000 discount on its Leon hatchback, you can bet on a keen deal. And, if you’re not fussy about a prestige badge, you can even get two cars for the price of one: two Kia Magentis saloons can be yours for just over £15,000.

Seventh. Borrowing is cheap. The lowest bank interest rates for hundreds of years may give savers glum faces, but they are excellent news if you are credit-worthy and need to borrow. Interest-free loans stretching over three or even four years are offered from every direction.