Cars are becoming more and more refined, more fuel efficient and even better equipped. It's a big step to buy a new vehicle though, it’s one of the biggest purchases we make in life. Here are the top 10 reasons to buy a new car in 2017.
Power And Efficiency
In the last 50 years we've seen efficiency and engine power increase by huge margins, as well as power sources changing from petrol to electric, diesel and LPG. If there is one reason to buy a new car in 2017 it is the engine technology. Almost all new-model cars on the market feature some form of advanced technology like a turbocharger to help them behave and operate as efficiently as they can.
Reliability is on the Rise
Thanks to a more connected world and revisions to government-backed recall protocols, buyers now have the power to dictate the quality levels of new cars. The internet has obviously helped with this, with buyers easily capable of posting reviews and opinions to the masses through social media and specialist websites. In order for each carmaker to remain competitive, it has to ensure no 'lemons' make it off the production line. Warranty and servicing has also stepped up, with the introduction of schemes like capped-price servicing which limits the cost of services within a certain period and longer warranties up to seven years with some brands.
User-Friendly
Remember the days of the old wind-down windows? Convenience in cars has come such a long way and manufacturers strive to get buyer's attention via gadgets and innovations that are made purely to make your life easier. Many new vehicles even come with satellite navigation and reversing cameras as standard. It's not only the tech stuff though. Today's cars are being made so you can get in and out of them easier, with more practical and versatile seating, and even more storage solutions.
Equipment
In order to stay competitive manufacturers are filling their cars with standard features. These days most vehicles come with a fully compatible multimedia system with various connectivity functions, with USB and MP3 playback. This kind of tech was unheard of not that long ago. Conveniences as simple as automatic transmissions are also becoming the norm. Not only that, new auto transmissions are faster-changing, more responsive and engaging, and even more efficient than ever. Other commodities in modern cars include selectable driving modes which alter the behaviour of the car, such as the steering sensitivity and throttle response. Users can select between different modes to find what suits them best.
Safety
Vehicle safety has increased significantly, even in the past 10 years. Almost all passenger cars on sale have passed ANCAP's crash tests with flying colours, earning the top five-star mark. ANCAP has been tightening and further honing the testing procedures too, so a car that passed five stars 10 years ago won't necessarily pass today's tests. Rear-view cameras are standard with a lot of SUVs, or at least available as a cheap option. Stability and electronic stability control is also mandated on all new models. This tech massively improves driving control, especially in hazardous conditions.
Car Finance
Getting finance on a car is as easy as ever nowadays. You can simply apply online and often get approval from the comfort of your own home. There's some fierce competition out there too which means finance companies need to provide rock bottom interest rates in order to stay ahead of the game. It's now at the point where consumers can literally buy a car online and have it delivered to their door, such as the service offered here by CarLoans.com.au and our partner Georgie.com.au
Online Car Buying
Buying a car online might seem unnatural at first, however, thanks to fleet buying power there are companies out there such as Georgie.com.au that can 'shop around' to find you the best price, all thanks to a more connected world we live in in 2017. There's no need to get out there and haggle with untrustworthy salespeople. You can find the best price online and have the car delivered to your door. And you get the peace of mind knowing you got the best price for that particular car.
Variety
There once was a time where you could either buy a sedan, wagon, 4x4, or a sports car. Now, you can buy any number of combinations of these layouts in one vehicle. You can buy a coupe that's got four doors like a sedan. You can buy a coupe SUV/4x4. You can buy a wide range of SUV sizes. You can even buy an SUV, with the raised ground clearance, that's two-wheel drive so it's more fuel efficient than a four-wheel drive. Smaller cars are now the most popular style in Australia, with the old large sedan becoming less and less popular due to heavy fuel costs.
Refinement is Now Higher Than Ever
You can drive a 2017 model vehicle at 110km/h and the cabin remains almost whisper-quiet. Every aspect of today's cars are so intricately honed and engineered. In fact, there are often teams of engineers that each work on a very specific part of the car to make sure everything opens and shuts with precision, and that everything you touch is comfortable and well put together.
New Cars in 2018
Lastly, we thought we'd provide you with some insight as to what new models are coming in 2018. Firstly, the facelifted 2018 Mazda3 will go on sale, bringing a new more efficient engine and further refinement. Volvo is set to launch its first compact SUV, the XC40, which looks set to shake up the premium mini-SUV segment. Speaking of premium, Mercedes-Benz will be releasing its first Ute, the X-Class which is sure to be a hit with families and tradies alike. In the sports car world, Kia will be releasing it’s first rear wheel drive performance car, the Stinger GT.
It’s looking like an exciting year ahead, so if you’re looking for a new car 2017 could be a great year to pull the trigger on your dream wheels.