Not sure how to choose your next car? Do you live in France or Europe? Read this.

Global Automotive Context

It's going very badly!

This is unprecedented since the creation of the automobile. For several years now, the (new) market has been getting increasingly lousy. Exorbitant prices, catastrophic reliability, designs that make you vomit, our industry is dying, and with it hundreds of thousands of layoffs. (250,000 in Germany alone in recent years, 400 per day) Whose fault is it? The fault of the European Union and all the defenders of globalism, who have constantly promoted an open economy and cheap labor, perfect for outsourcing. Globalism which has allowed better purchasing power in the short term, but it destroys everything in the long term, and here we are...

The European Union, which manages the trade of the countries that make it up with a monopoly, means that we are trapped in a vicious and destructive circle, and Since each country does not agree on anything, having its own interests to protect, unless it leaves, things are not likely to improve.

Prices are rising relative to wages, not to mention taxes. (penalties...) There are also over-standards, swindling, allowing anything and everything to be justified to the consumer, who will naively agree to spend more. This increase in prices and standards is therefore accompanied by poor choices, resulting in declining reliability. (Engine included) All in an attempt to lower the bill in vain, while sticking to the very theoretical ideas of the blue bureaucrats.

The best engineers and designers are leaving. The "talents" and other "opportunities" who remain, poorly trained, no longer know what is beautiful and why. Their creations are increasingly vulgar and incoherent, hoping to shock rather than please, while we will forget them by dint of trying our hand at a discipline that we do not understand. Finesse, elegance, refinement, and accuracy give way to coarseness, heaviness, the disposable, and the messy.

Tips for your next car

To help you choose your next car more easily, we're going to give you some advice. This advice applies generally to many cars, uses, and users.

What makes a car reliable?

Which car? For what use?

First of all, you need to know your needs. Do you drive a little? Do you want to treat yourself? If you drive a lot, we recommend a larger diesel vehicle (no city cars), and why not one with an automatic transmission. If you are an older person, SUVs will surely appeal to you with their greater height for easier access, their comfort, and the feeling of safety on board. Note, however, that these are more expensive to buy, but also to maintain and consume, while not being true 4x4s (franchisers).

In any case, we do not recommend electric cars, we believe that these are not yet ready and that the mere fact of wanting a vehicle that is clean for the environment does not justify this, because these are far from being virtuous in this regard... Only hybrids and especially non-rechargeable ones are relatively acceptable for the moment.

The new market

It's hard to recommend anything new, given the numerous French taxes. However, there are also advantages!

Advantages / Disadvantages

Benefits :

• The warranty, from 2 to 8 years depending on the manufacturer.
• Modernity, technology and the latest safety standards for example.
• Support for the manufacturer (patriotism if local manufacturing).

Disadvantages:

• Rising prices and taxes (up to €70,000 in CO2 & Weight penalties).
• Decreased reliability and more complex repairability.
• The design/aesthetics are sometimes disgusting (no, it's not subjective).
• The choice is declining (the end of convertibles, coupes and even sedans).

Selection in Nine

Prices displayed are rounded, as are the penalty. These prices may vary.

City cars

Advice for buying second-hand

You can buy your used car in several different ways, either directly from a private individual or through a professional who will act as an intermediary, such as a car dealership or garage, or through auctions.

If you buy your car from a professional, you will benefit from several advantages such as a guarantee, a serviced car, and the near certainty of the seller's honesty, since their reputation is at stake. You will, however, pay a little more.

Auctions, on the other hand, truly reflect the vehicle's value and sometimes offer a discount. It is possible, with a little investment, to make a good deal. We even recommend that you, if you wish, buy at auction and resell as a classic used car with a nice presentation; this will allow you to avoid losing too much money.

Finally, and like most people, the most common option and the one that offers the most choice is buying between individuals.

Before you buy

• Look for cars with the lowest possible overheads (tires, clutch, brakes, timing belt, etc.)
• Find out about common defects in the model to avoid surprises.
• Don't buy something that can't be sold, think about future resale.
• Find out about the vehicle's history, how it was used, long distances, short trips, elderly people... Use "Car-Vertical" in particular, to avoid scams.
• Use price simulators like Argus, or regularly check prices on various ad sites.
• Find out as much as possible before going to see the car, whether by phone or sending photos, videos, etc.
• Each model is marketed for several years, there are sometimes differences.
• Be aware that a car's mileage is not always a good way to determine its condition.

When it comes to going to see there

Just because a technical inspection was carried out before selling the car, doesn't mean there's nothing to check. Going to see the vehicle isn't just for checking it out; you can simply see if you like the car and try it out for yourself.

• Don't go there in the rain or at night, choose light.
• Come in groups, for your safety, to return the cars, and to get several opinions and views on the vehicle.
• Take your time and walk around the exterior of the vehicle, trying to spot any defects that will allow you to negotiate the price.
• look under the car (shock, rusty exhaust, damaged engine guard, missing staples)
• Don't hesitate to ask the seller questions (e.g., has the car been repainted? If so, why? Has it been in an accident?)
• Pay attention to rust, especially check the wheel arches,
• Did the car sleep outside?
• check the condition of the tires (there must be the same mounts on each axle)
• Check the condition of the brakes/discs by placing your finger on the top of the disc to see if it has been worn a lot or not. There should also be some lining left on the pads.
• Check that the serial number on the registration certificate matches the one engraved on the car (visible in the engine compartment and/or under the windshield at the bottom of the driver's side)
• Check the interior, the general condition, don't forget the rear seats (children, etc.). Test all the vehicle's functions, the windows, the camera, etc. Test the air conditioning fully, the headlights, etc.
• Take a look at the engine bay, cleanliness, leaks, levels, traces...
• Test drive the vehicle, check the braking, acceleration, clutch, gear changes, steering, whether it drives straight... There should be no strange noises. You can also let the seller drive, to judge his driving.
• Make sure you have the maintenance logbook and check its contents.

The transaction $

• The car must have a valid technical inspection less than 6 months old.
• Avoid buying with cash.
• Make the ANTS declaration at the time of purchase.
• The registration document will be given to you, crossed out by the previous owner with the day/time, signed by both people.
• You normally need to have insured the car beforehand to be able to return it.
• Find out about the different insurance policies in advance.

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