Everything you need to know about your first car. Welcome to the wonderful world of wheels! We know that every single person dreams of owning a car. It’s understandable: a car epitomises independence. Success. Stature. Mobility. The freedom to go your own way. But we also know that the decision to purchase a car can be fraught with challenges. What car do you buy? What can you afford? What about the servicing requirements? What safety features should you look out for? What about safety out on the road? These and many other important questions plague your mind. First Gear aims to address all these topics and many other essential issues associated with car ownership. We have canvassed the opinions of the world’s leading authorities and this book aims to give you independent, authoritative and utterly essential advice. We want to take the mystery and malaise out of car ownership, and replace it with easy to follow advice and tips… so that your road to car ownership isn’t filled with potholes! We trust that it will provide you with a stress-free introduction to the world of wheels. Enjoy your first car; you’ve worked hard for it!

1. CHAPTER 3:
Dealing
with the
dealer
Walking into a big, shiny car dealership
showroom for the first time can be
really exciting – and often intimidating.
But don’t be scared. Remember,
at every step of the way, that the
sales team is there to serve you.
The customer is king – or queen –
of the showroom!
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2. Keep in mind, however, that a car is just like a
girlfriend or boyfriend: Joseph Cueter, operations manager for
Looks are not Ford’s Customer Service Division, Asia
Pacific and Africa.
a guarantee “Your local dealer should be what we at
Ford like to call a ‘hometown hero’,” he says.
to happiness. “They should be engaged with the local
community – supporting local schools,
sponsoring sports programmes.”
Dealers that advertise in smaller, local
newspapers and support education, sport,
Choosing a dealer that’s right health and environmental initiatives in the
for you community are more likely to form a long-
Start by looking at dealer outlets that are term relationship with customers. “Look for
close to your home or workplace. “You can anything that indicates they are not just
build a lasting relationship and get better looking for a one-time sale,” adds Cueter.
follow-up service if you stick to your Of course, you may be able to get the car
hometown or where you work,” advises you want at a cheaper price from a
that prove the repair shop meets
international standards. Ask to see the
qualifications of the technical staff and
service advisors. Certificates from the
Society of Automotive Engineers, for
example, are good professional credentials.
dealership in a neighbouring province or city. So are factory certifications from Ford-
But any discounts you find may not be authorised dealerships that show the
worth it in the long run. It’s inconvenient and mechanics have been specifically trained to
costly to travel a long way to bring your car work on certain components.
in for service or repairs.
Since dealers are generally the best Communication is key
source for warranty-covered repairs and Dealership sales staff should be friendly and
maintenance, take a close look at the helpful, but not pushy. You should be
service centre. Ask around: have your warmly welcomed when you enter the
neighbours or colleagues been satisfied with showroom. The salesperson ought to ask
the service provided by the dealership? It’s how they can be of service and offer some
also a good idea to look for certifications general information about the dealership
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3. before trying to steer you towards any
As you do a
particular vehicle or promotion. To avoid 360-degree stroll
the hard sell, you may want to tell the around it, check
salesperson that you won’t be making a model. If you live in a tropical climate, you
purchase today, and are only visiting to may need air conditioning. If you drive a the seams
gather information. vast distance to work every day, you’ll need between body
“You want a salesperson who listens to a car that cruises well and has excellent
you and asks meaningful questions about fuel economy. If you have a big family, a
panels and doors;
your transportation needs,” says Cueter. roomy interior will be a requirement. are they evenly spaced,
You also want a salesperson who treats “Make a checklist of what you need to be without gaps or
you with respect; someone who truly has a satisfied owner,” advises Cueter. “If the car
your best interests at heart. meets all of these requirements, performs irregularities? Does
Prepare a list of the top ten features that well on the road and appeals to you the colour look good?
you require in your new vehicle; this will visually, you’ll be in good shape.”
help the salesperson direct you to the right
Is the paint smooth, with make sure the seats are comfortable and
that the controls are easy to reach. The
The test drive mirror like reflections? speedometer, fuel gauge, and other
Ensure that you test drive and carefully instruments should be clearly visible. The
inspect a car before buying it. You wouldn’t driver should be able to glance at the
buy a USD 15 jacket without trying it on instruments and adjust the controls without
first. So why should you buy a USD 15,000 performance, etc. If you haven’t driven taking his/her attention off the road.
car that you have never driven? much, you may not be able to realistically
If you are an inexperienced or unlicensed
Fast facts
compare the car’s features or performance
driver, bring a qualified driver along who can to competing models.
evaluate the vehicle’s driving dynamics: Check the exterior carefully, with an eye
handling, acceleration, braking for details. Open the boot to see if there’s
enough storage space. Is there a full-sized
100
spare tyre? If you drive on rough roads you
may need one.
Consumer Reports, a U.S. magazine and
Find a dealer near your workplace website published by a non-profit consumer
or home who you can trust and advocacy group, recommends walking in a
with whom you can build a lasting Do your research – on the Internet circle around the car to perform an overall
relationship and with consumer groups and quality check:
magazines – before negotiating Keep in mind, however, that a car is just
Make a checklist of what features
a purchase price like a girlfriend or boyfriend: looks are not a
you need to be a satisfied owner
guarantee to happiness. And while it’s great
and bring it to the dealer It’s a good idea to test drive the
to have a sexy car, you and your passengers
car before you buy will be travelling inside the vehicle. So
Look for a salesperson who listens
The number of new dealerships
to you and is focused on your
that Ford plans to establish in
needs. Avoid the hard sell
China to meet demand.
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