If you're thinking about buying a vehicle, you may have countless questions about what type of car to buy: bigger or smaller, a traditional body style or an SUV, whether to get a diesel or a petrol car , whether a hybrid or electric car would be worthwhile, how many horsepower you might need, what equipment is really practical and necessary, how you could save a few hundred euros , and a very long etcetera.
We might need or want a car for countless reasons; but do we really end up buying the car that best suits our needs or that we like the most, and in the most economical way possible? I assure you it's easy to make a mistake and regret it soon after . With this guide we've put together, we hope to make your choice easier and, of course, that it's the right one and that you're happy with your vehicle for as long as you can keep it.
Key ideas to buy a car
It is of little use to us to have the intention of buying a car if we are not clear about how much we can spend or what type of vehicle we need based on our needs and the habitual use that we are going to give it. Small, large, saloon, compact, off-road, large SUV, small SUV, minivan, sports car, coupé, roadster, economical, generalist, Premium… Luckily, the offer is very large and almost all brands have products in their range very varied.
Budget
First, as with most significant purchases, a budget outlining the maximum amount we can (or should) afford is essential. Furthermore, we must consider that a vehicle involves initial expenses beyond the purchase price itself, such as registration tax , insurance , and even fuel, since in most cases they are delivered with a nearly empty tank. It's also important to remember that throughout its lifespan, a vehicle requires regular maintenance and may experience breakdowns of varying severity.
Vehicle
Once we've determined the maximum amount we're willing to spend, we can consider what type of vehicle best suits our needs . For example, although both are cars, a Porsche 911 and a Renault Kangoo aren't suited to the same functions. Therefore, we need to think about which type or types of vehicles would be most appropriate to maximize our investment. We should consider whether we need a spacious interior and a large trunk, or if a small two-seater with enough room for two weekend suitcases would suffice for our actual requirements.
Passion or reason? About tastes there is nothing written
When we buy a new car, we usually want to keep it for as long as possible. Therefore, to avoid getting tired of it too quickly, we should consider our personal preferences. It's possible, and often happens, that we choose a car because of its low price, its versatility, or its fuel efficiency, but we might not be making the right choice.
Imagine this: you're torn between two different models, one you truly love and another that catches your eye because, when you run the numbers, it's €1.500 cheaper. Both are similar in size, performance, equipment, fuel consumption, interior space, etc. What would go through your mind if you chose the cheaper one and then, shortly after, your neighbor appears —the one from apartment 3B, the one who wakes you up on Sunday mornings because his hobby is playing electric guitar with the other car, the one you really liked?
We know it's not easy; it can actually be very complicated , but with a clear budget, the ideal is to strike a balance between passion and reason . On the other hand, the tighter our financial situation, the more reason tends to outweigh passion; and vice versa.
Security
One of the most important aspects , and one that surveys show we least consider when buying a car, is vehicle safety. Fortunately for all road users, this is changing, and we are increasingly valuing this aspect , even though not everyone knows for sure how safe their car is.
Today's cars are far safer than they were ten or fifteen years ago and are incomparable to those that traveled our roads in the 80s. However, not all drivers are familiar with most of their vehicle's active and passive safety systems , nor how these systems could save them from a dangerous situation. We could list dozens and dozens of technologies, components, and materials used that are, in reality, our "guardian angels," and which not everyone knows about or appreciates enough when buying a vehicle.
Equipment and finishes
Regarding features, it often happens that when we see a TV commercial or press photos, the model on display seems incredibly appealing . In these cases, brands usually use the most eye-catching colors to grab your attention and showcase vehicles with the best finishes and all available extras. However, when you actually get to the dealership, finding the car that caught your eye in that exact color is very difficult. Why, you might ask? Because that striking shade that looks so good in ads and photos is often too flashy for most customers, making it hard for salespeople to sell. In short, it's pure marketing.
Returning to the topic of equipment, not all the features and technologies that manufacturers offer in their models are truly useful , or at least not when compared to their price. Alloy wheels will always look better than steel wheels with hubcaps, and a panoramic sunroof will always be more attractive than a conventional roof. Remember what I mentioned earlier about the balance between passion and reason?
Why do you need a built-in GPS with data for all of Europe if the car you're buying is a small hatchback and you'll only use it to get around your city , the one you know like the back of your hand? You have to consider what you really need , what might come in handy on occasion, and what you'll practically never use; and of course, your personal preferences. Never forget that you're dealing with a salesperson whose job is to sell you the car, and the more they sell and the more money you spend, the better it is for them and their company.
However, returning to the topic of safety, several active and/or passive safety systems may be offered as options. Safety should always be the top priority , and investing a few hundred euros in it can make the difference between having an accident and avoiding it, or, if an accident does occur, reducing its consequences.
What kind of engine do I need for my car?
As you know, most models on the market typically offer a wide range of powertrains , with diesel or gasoline engines. It's also becoming increasingly common to find hybrid or even fully electric versions . Furthermore, the power output range is usually quite broad, which can make choosing one version over another almost as difficult as choosing between several models.
It's unlikely that this guide will be able to help you 100%, but if you consider all the points we mention, it will certainly be much easier to choose one car or another , one version or another. What should we consider when choosing the type of engine for our car?
Car size
As a general rule, larger cars are heavier . A 120 hp engine in a two-ton SUV won't be enough, but for a small car weighing less than 1.000 kg, it will be more than enough power. A few years ago, it was highly recommended to equip heavy cars with a diesel engine due to its higher torque compared to gasoline engines, since most were naturally aspirated and didn't have forced induction.
Today, turbocharged gasoline engines produce torque close to that of turbodiesel engines , so it's no longer almost mandatory to choose a diesel engine in a large car as was the case a few years ago. However, the difference in average fuel consumption will be even more noticeable in favor of diesel engines if the vehicle is very heavy.
We will usually circulate with a lot of load or without load
Going back to the previous point, the more weight you carry in the car, the harder it will be for the engine to move all that mass . If you regularly drive with a full load, a diesel engine might be a better option, although the new turbocharged gasoline engines perform quite well . It's important to pay attention to the torque figures usually provided by the manufacturer, but even more important is to look at the torque curve on a graph. We'll explain this in more detail a few paragraphs below.
Types of roads on which we will circulate
We don't need the same type of engine, nor the same power figures, for driving on city streets as we do for highways or mountainous areas. If we're usually going to drive in the city, it's not necessary to choose a powerful engine with high torque figures; in fact, it's not advisable. In a city car, from the A segment, which typically weigh less than 1.000 kg, a 70 hp engine with around 100 Nm of torque will provide enough power, and we won't miss having more thrust , unless we're leaving the city.
annual kilometers
Depending on the approximate annual mileage we'll be driving, we can rule out certain engine types . If we'll be driving around 10.000 kilometers per year (or less), it's best to completely rule out diesel and hybrid engines; a gasoline engine would be the most advisable. We could even consider purchasing a fully electric model , although we must bear in mind that we'd practically be forced to have another vehicle at home, since the limited range of electric vehicles and long charging times restrict their use in situations such as, for example, when we have to take a trip of a few hundred kilometers.
On the other hand, if you drive a large number of kilometers annually, you can completely rule out electric vehicles and focus on diesel and hybrid engines. If you drive a lot on the highway but also drive a fair amount in the city, you should consider hybrid models, as their urban fuel consumption is very low and they tend to be efficient on the open road.
As a general guideline, and based on mileage, it's not recommended to buy a diesel model if you drive less than 20.000 kilometers per year. Keep in mind that although this type of fuel is slightly cheaper than gasoline and diesels are more fuel-efficient under the same conditions, the initial purchase price, maintenance, and repair costs are usually higher. Furthermore, they are less smooth in operation, sometimes becoming somewhat jerky when driving in lower gears. They are also more polluting , and therefore, it's likely that within a few years, taxes on these vehicles will increase and their use will be restricted in major European cities.
If you are looking for sports sensations
There are increasingly more high-performance diesel engines available , offering excellent performance and high power output. However, if you're looking to get the most out of your car's sporty character, we recommend opting for a gasoline engine.
The pleasure of raising an engine beyond 6.000 revolutions per minute until reaching the "cut" in a gasoline, has no comparison with the feeling of "suffocating" the diesel engine when the tachometer barely touches 4.000.
We're not talking about speed, power, or lap times, just the sensations of sporty driving . Finally, we must highlight the exhaust note, which, from the mid-range of the rev range in a gasoline engine of this caliber, will always be in a different league compared to the coffee maker sound of a diesel; not to mention possible backfiring on deceleration or the beautiful sound of a well-executed heel-and-toe downshift.
How much power do I need for my car?
When buying a car, once we are clear about the vehicle model and the type of engine we need, it is time to choose the mechanical variant that best suits our needs.
While this decision isn't as crucial as choosing between different models or engine types, we shouldn't opt for a more or less powerful engine without careful consideration. As a general rule, when it comes to a car's power and torque, as well as braking power, stability, and safety systems, " it's better to have too much than too little ."
The more power and torque we have under our right foot, the better, although we don't really need 150 hp for a small car if we simply want to get from point A to point B without seeking a sporty feel. We've often heard the typical phrase, "Why do we need so much horsepower if we can't go fast and every car exceeds 120 km/h?" Well, sir/ma'am, it allows us to overtake much more safely , especially on two-way roads, to merge onto a highway with agility, to avoid having to climb an 8% incline at 90 km/h, to tow a caravan or trailer... and much more.
Obviously, a heavy and/or bulky car will have more resistance to movement than a light and small one, so to move with any ease it will need an engine with more power and torque . On the other hand, if it is a small and light car, such as a model from the A or B segment, intended to be driven mostly in cities and urban environments, less horsepower and torque will be sufficient.
One of the best-selling car segments, known for its balance, is the compact car segment, the C segment . In these models, the engine range typically spans from 90 to approximately 150 hp, not including the sportier versions. The truth is that for typical driving, around 120 hp is usually the most balanced option , as it provides a reasonable power reserve while keeping costs such as fuel consumption, taxes, and car insurance reasonable.
Similarly, as we move from one segment to a higher or lower one, as a guideline we should add or subtract about 25 or 30 hp from the appropriate power for segment C. A car in segment B with 90 or 95 hp is usually sufficient, while for a car in segment D this guideline figure is around 140 or 150 hp.
As we mentioned earlier, horsepower is important, but a crucial factor , often overlooked by drivers, is torque and the line it traces on a graph as a function of engine speed. Take a look at the following graph, which shows a very useful torque curve (blue) and a less useful one (red).
Vertically, the torque figure is shown; although we can disregard the numbers themselves, as the figure isn't particularly important; what's truly interesting is the line it traces. The smoother and more flat the curve, represented by the blue line, is across a wider rpm range, the better . The blue line represents a flexible engine that won't need frequent gear changes to get a strong response when you press the accelerator. The red line corresponds to a very inflexible engine that, although it has a peak torque point well above the engine represented by the blue line, is less usable; since you'll get a lot of power at a very specific point in the rev range (which will also be very uncomfortable in lower gears) and very little power in the rest of the range, forcing you to use the gearbox frequently.
The flatter the torque curve and the wider the rev range it covers, the better . This translates into greater driving pleasure, lower fuel consumption because the engine doesn't have to search for power at the top of the rev range, and a longer lifespan for the engine.
Therefore, in addition to being guided by power, we must ensure the shape of the torque line and how long it remains horizontal in the revolution range, its shape being more important than the torque figure itself, usually represented in newton meters.
Visit multiple dealerships
As a final piece of advice, once you've decided which car you want, we recommend visiting several dealerships of the same brand . The same version of a model might be slightly cheaper (or more expensive, depending on your perspective) at one dealership than another, so it's worth visiting different locations within their network, whether in your own city or elsewhere. You might save some money or even pick up a free accessory or other part . Furthermore, if you're still undecided between a couple of models, these visits will help you make your choice more quickly.
Top tips
In summary, after this long article, we can say that when choosing which new car to buy, we must especially consider our budget , the type of vehicle that best suits our needs, avoid trying to save money on safety features in order to invest it, for example, in bigger or nicer rims, and consider how we will use our new vehicle.
Later, depending on the price range and our initial budget, we can choose one engine or another , or one trim level or another. Never forget that it's a significant investment and that, theoretically, it will be with you for many years.