10 Reasons Not to Buy a New Car

Car dealership ・ Photo by Bigstock

It’s no secret that, here at Autobytel, we like the car industry, and it’s good for the car industry when people buy cars. Our objective, though, is to help you find the right car, not just any car. If you’re on the fence about buying a vehicle in the near future -whether you’re considering whether to get something new in general. In any case, it’s time for a reality check. There are plenty of scenarios, both general and specific, as to when you should pull back from a potential car purchase, and we’ve come up with 10 of the best reasons not to buy a car. Chances are, you just need to hear and consider them from a neutral third party.

You can’t afford it.

It doesn’t get more simple than this. If you can’t afford a car, that’s as good a reason as any not to buy one, and we’d argue pretty hard that it’s actually the best reason. Please note that we’re not in the position of giving actual financial advice. We’re not going to take the position that’s popular with personal finance experts, that you should never get a loan to buy a car or that you can only afford what you can pay for in cash. Car loans can be a good tool, if used correctly. What we’re saying is this — if you’ll be struggling to make the payments, you should probably be looking for another way to get around.

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Your situation will be changing in the foreseeable future.

If you know you’ve got big changes up ahead, it might be wisest to make do for now with whatever you already have. This goes for just about any major lifestyle adjustment: getting married, getting divorced, moving, having a kid, adopting a puppy, leaving your job to go back to graduate school, starting a new job with a drastically different commute… the list goes on. We’re not trying to be dramatic, here; it’s certainly not going to ruin your life if you buy a new car while other things are going on. We’re just advising that you take one thing at a time, and maybe wait until you’re sure your new car will suit the needs of your new lifestyle.

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You’re underwater on your current car.

If you own a car that’s worth less than you owe on it, you’re in the unfortunate position of being underwater on the loan. There are lots of ways this could have happened, through bad decisions or bad luck. The truth is, it doesn’t matter how you got there, especially from the bank’s point of view. If your loan is underwater, you need to find a way to pay it off before you think about buying another vehicle. Sure, the dealership’s finance guy says he’ll be happy to take your car on trade and roll your old loan into your new one… because he profits from that. Don’t do it; you’ll be carrying that ancient debt around forever. Deal with your car until you can break even, at the very least.

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It’s not really what you want.

If you feel like you’re settling for a car, just because you need any old car, you should probably think that decision through a little more. If you’re about to sign papers on your dream car, except it’s not exactly what you wanted because it’s the wrong color or is missing your favorite features, we shouldn’t even have to tell you to take a deep breath and walk away before you do something you might regret. Buying a car is a big decision, whether you’re looking for a basic beater or your personal unicorn. It’s up to you to decide how much compromise is too much, but if the little things are still going to be bugging you miles down the road, that’s a good reason not to buy a car.

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It’s not really what you need.

If the car you’re considering buying doesn’t suit your needs, that’s a pretty good reason not to buy it. If you’ve got one kid and another on the way, it’s probably best not to buy a coupe, because even if the back seats do have child seat anchors, you’re going to have a miserable time reaching them. Do you volunteer on weekends, taking food donations to the food bank or driving animals to the local shelter? Get an SUV or a wagon, not a convertible. We can almost hear your eyes rolling right now, but you’d be amazed how often people get so overwhelmed by car shopping that they forget even the simplest things.

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There’s something better on the way.

If you’ve got your eye on a new car but you’ve read that the manufacturer’s coming out with a new version, it’s probably better to wait a while, if you can. The new model is likely to have a bunch of improvements, such as more modern styling, better tech features, or more efficient engines that give more power and better fuel economy. When you buy the last model year of a vehicle’s generation, your car gets dated a lot faster since the updated generation becomes the benchmark. Think it through. Even if you decide to stick with the model you originally wanted, you’ll probably save some money as dealers scramble to move “old” cars off the lot to make room for the new version.

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It gets terrible reviews.

It’s not often that automotive critics agree completely (or even mostly) about the pros and cons of a particular vehicle, but it has been known to happen. If you think you’ve chosen your new car yet you’ve noticed the reviews are generally negative, you shouldn’t buy that car. Even if it seems unfair that auto journalists compare cars they've driven, well, that’s because it's a competitive market out there and we have the opportunity to do so. If reviews for a specific car trend toward the negative, that’s one reason not to buy it.

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The fuel economy is poor.

We’re well aware that most cars, even new ones, are not electrics or hybrids. Those cars often have price premiums that not everyone can afford, and that’s okay. And if you’re looking for a used car, an efficient option gets even harder to find. We know that there are a lot of variables in choosing a car, and fuel economy is just one of them, but it’s a good reason not to buy a particular car. Before you buy, check the mileage and ask yourself if you could do a little better. If you’re on the verge of buying a mega-polluter just because it’s the cheapest car you can find, spend a little more now and save when it comes time to fill up.

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The salesperson talked you into it.

When it comes time to buy a car, you should always do your research. Talk to your family and figure out what you need. Talk to your friends and figure out what you like. Read our reviews. Read our competitors’ reviews, if it comes to that. We’re not telling you to totally shun the sales team at your dealership of choice; they often have useful information to share about the make and model you like and the packages and options that are available. As soon as you start to feel pressured, though, it’s time to stand firm. We suggest that getting online quotes and talking to more than one dealership will usually get you the kind of service you desire. 

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You’re hesitating.

If you keep pulling back from buying a car — getting nervous reading classifieds, getting antsy talking about it with your family, getting cold feet at the closing table, whatever — that’s a pretty good reason to wait before buying a car. Maybe you need to redo your budget, or perhaps you just need to do a little more research to feel comfortable. Or, maybe you’re dealing with one of the reasons not to buy a car that we’ve already mentioned, and whether you realize it or not, it’s got to be resolved before you move forward. If you don’t feel good buying a specific car, or any car, take some time first. Above all else, trust your instincts.

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