Buying yourself a 'new' car. What prompts you?
Discussion
Edited to now include a fun little survey I made for the first time ever! Please feel free to take part (purely for fun!) https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2WKKP88
Hi All,
I was sitting in a work meeting yesterday (marketing agency) and one of the teams presented some work they were doing as part of a car manufacturer's car launch.
It got the old grey cells working overtime... As the team presented their ideas for innovative direct marketing packs and test drive experiences, I couldn't help cast my mind over to what the real car enthusiast thinks when buying a new car.
I'm not involved in this project so it's purely hypothetical, but does the marketing like TV ads/direct mail/emails from manufacturers really spike your interest to pulling the trigger on a new car? Or is it actually word of mouth. Or Chris Harris videos or Jethro Bovingdon going sideways in a YouTube video with the sound of a screaming V8 in the background?
And then what happens when you've got the car and you're enjoying it thereafter? Do you head back to the manufacturer's configurator to see what options you should've ticked would have cost you or whether you need to start planning (and saving for the next car)?
Would be interesting to hear what real car enthusiasts think about all this. For me, I heard about the M135i before it launched, read about it in Evo and then watched various videos on YouTube. I did visit the BMW configurator (a lot!) too. But I'd never felt the urge to buy a car based on a TV ad or piece of direct mail... And now that I was lucky enough to get involved in the crazy lease deals last year I'm thoroughly enjoying the ownership experience - although I'm now pondering what I'll do in 13 months' time when I have to hand it back!
I for one won't be swayed towards a particular car by a keyring in the post or a prize draw for a free trackday!
Hi All,
I was sitting in a work meeting yesterday (marketing agency) and one of the teams presented some work they were doing as part of a car manufacturer's car launch.
It got the old grey cells working overtime... As the team presented their ideas for innovative direct marketing packs and test drive experiences, I couldn't help cast my mind over to what the real car enthusiast thinks when buying a new car.
I'm not involved in this project so it's purely hypothetical, but does the marketing like TV ads/direct mail/emails from manufacturers really spike your interest to pulling the trigger on a new car? Or is it actually word of mouth. Or Chris Harris videos or Jethro Bovingdon going sideways in a YouTube video with the sound of a screaming V8 in the background?
And then what happens when you've got the car and you're enjoying it thereafter? Do you head back to the manufacturer's configurator to see what options you should've ticked would have cost you or whether you need to start planning (and saving for the next car)?
Would be interesting to hear what real car enthusiasts think about all this. For me, I heard about the M135i before it launched, read about it in Evo and then watched various videos on YouTube. I did visit the BMW configurator (a lot!) too. But I'd never felt the urge to buy a car based on a TV ad or piece of direct mail... And now that I was lucky enough to get involved in the crazy lease deals last year I'm thoroughly enjoying the ownership experience - although I'm now pondering what I'll do in 13 months' time when I have to hand it back!
I for one won't be swayed towards a particular car by a keyring in the post or a prize draw for a free trackday!
Edited by JuanGandini on Friday 30th January 17:58
Edited by JuanGandini on Friday 30th January 17:58
thatdude said:
I dont think an advert sways me, but it at least brings to my attention a particular model of car has been further developed or a new model is available.
Interestingly, there has been an advert on the radio for Mini's...and it mentions the "twin-power turbo engine"
what is twin-power?
Agreed about ads giving awareness but I do find some of them really one dimensional - such as the 'new' Mondeo ad focusing 100% on the fact it has dynamic headlights. Ok!Interestingly, there has been an advert on the radio for Mini's...and it mentions the "twin-power turbo engine"
what is twin-power?
Not sure what on earth 'Twin-power' turbo engines are - do they mean 'Twin-scroll' like the turbo in the N55 engine in the M135i? Whatever, that sounds pretty ridiculous to anyone with a vague knowledge of automotive mechanics!
If I see it on an advert I may have a look online about it, but i've never been like I must get one of these!
The GT86 ad, for example, I already knew about the car, but I thought that car looks awesome, and a very good ad (before it got banned!) and looked great.
Same with the Jag "good to be bad" adverts, but didn't actively go out and try to buy one. I buy on what suits me at the time.
The GT86 ad, for example, I already knew about the car, but I thought that car looks awesome, and a very good ad (before it got banned!) and looked great.
Same with the Jag "good to be bad" adverts, but didn't actively go out and try to buy one. I buy on what suits me at the time.
Interesting point there about what suits you at the time.
My question would be how do you choose between the car options that suit you at the time?
i.e. for me I needed a hatchback and wanted something fairly quick and fun with a nice sound within a reasonable budget. There are many options in that segment to choose from so what makes us plump for one option over any of the others?
My question would be how do you choose between the car options that suit you at the time?
i.e. for me I needed a hatchback and wanted something fairly quick and fun with a nice sound within a reasonable budget. There are many options in that segment to choose from so what makes us plump for one option over any of the others?
I've bought a dozen new cars in the past decade, and don't think I've seen a car ad for the marque I've bought.
I read reviews, test drive and buy the car that suits my needs, be it Aston, Porsche, Caterham, BMW, Lotus, whatever...
I would think it mental to do anything else.
I would generally try and run over anyone in marketing.
I read reviews, test drive and buy the car that suits my needs, be it Aston, Porsche, Caterham, BMW, Lotus, whatever...
I would think it mental to do anything else.
I would generally try and run over anyone in marketing.
Edited by GetCarter on Friday 30th January 16:16
GetCarter said:
I've bought a dozen new cars in the past decade, and don't think I've seen a car ad for the marque I've bought.
I read reviews, test drive and buy the car that suits my needs, be it Aston, Audi, Porsche, Caterham, BMW, Lotus, whatever...
I would think it mental to do anything else.
Did anything about the test drive experiences that you've had really sway you towards or away from a car? I didn't test drive mine as it was a lease via online so it'd be interesting to know what you think...I read reviews, test drive and buy the car that suits my needs, be it Aston, Audi, Porsche, Caterham, BMW, Lotus, whatever...
I would think it mental to do anything else.
JuanGandini said:
GetCarter said:
I've bought a dozen new cars in the past decade, and don't think I've seen a car ad for the marque I've bought.
I read reviews, test drive and buy the car that suits my needs, be it Aston, Audi, Porsche, Caterham, BMW, Lotus, whatever...
I would think it mental to do anything else.
Did anything about the test drive experiences that you've had really sway you towards or away from a car? I didn't test drive mine as it was a lease via online so it'd be interesting to know what you think...I read reviews, test drive and buy the car that suits my needs, be it Aston, Audi, Porsche, Caterham, BMW, Lotus, whatever...
I would think it mental to do anything else.
I sell my 'stuff' to people with millions to spend - and the trick is not to underestimate the client!
robertrobertson said:
Just when ever I want a diffrent car I change it . Some times just sick off the one I'm in . Had a 370 Z about 6 months now for weekends and its still fresh so no thouhts about changing yet might chop in my 330 for a Audi a bit lower on the radar lol !
Why did you go for a 370Z rather than a Z4/Boxster/TT/MX-5
though? Did you test drive them all or if not, what made you choose it over the competition?GetCarter said:
JuanGandini said:
GetCarter said:
I've bought a dozen new cars in the past decade, and don't think I've seen a car ad for the marque I've bought.
I read reviews, test drive and buy the car that suits my needs, be it Aston, Audi, Porsche, Caterham, BMW, Lotus, whatever...
I would think it mental to do anything else.
Did anything about the test drive experiences that you've had really sway you towards or away from a car? I didn't test drive mine as it was a lease via online so it'd be interesting to know what you think...I read reviews, test drive and buy the car that suits my needs, be it Aston, Audi, Porsche, Caterham, BMW, Lotus, whatever...
I would think it mental to do anything else.
I sell my 'stuff' to people with millions to spend - and the trick is not to underestimate the client!
If I had other 6 cylinder options to choose from with similar running costs then perhaps I'd be swayed by some marketing angle such as a promise of a sporty driving experience compared to all weather capability or a heated windscreen.
berlintaxi said:
Surprisingly I was sat on a plane reading the paper when I saw an advert for the car I now drive, bored I read it rather than flicking over to the next page, thought that sounds interesting, went and test drove one the next week and bought one.
Adverts sometimes work.
What was it about the ad that made it sound interesting?Adverts sometimes work.
JuanGandini said:
robertrobertson said:
Just when ever I want a diffrent car I change it . Some times just sick off the one I'm in . Had a 370 Z about 6 months now for weekends and its still fresh so no thouhts about changing yet might chop in my 330 for a Audi a bit lower on the radar lol !
Why did you go for a 370Z rather than a Z4/Boxster/TT/MX-5 though? Did you test drive them all or if not, what made you choose it over the competition?JuanGandini said:
Interesting point there about what suits you at the time.
My question would be how do you choose between the car options that suit you at the time?
i.e. for me I needed a hatchback and wanted something fairly quick and fun with a nice sound within a reasonable budget. There are many options in that segment to choose from so what makes us plump for one option over any of the others?
For me, when I wanted a new car It had to meet a certain criteria:My question would be how do you choose between the car options that suit you at the time?
i.e. for me I needed a hatchback and wanted something fairly quick and fun with a nice sound within a reasonable budget. There are many options in that segment to choose from so what makes us plump for one option over any of the others?
Decent size
Cheap to run and especially to insure
35+mpg
Look good.
Bit of a sleeper
quiet.
Quick.
Reliable and wouldn't let me down.
so naturally, I ended up buying a Fiat Grande Punto T-Jet.
but I looked about for months and settled that for my budget (4k) it would suit my needs. I also looked at Fiesta ST's, a SAAB estate and a 330D but they were all ruinous on either fuel, insurance or had the sense of being a moneypit.
JuanGandini said:
Why did you go for a 370Z rather than a Z4/Boxster/TT/MX-5 though? Did you test drive them all or if not, what made you choose it over the competition?
Just cos it seemed like more of a mans car than those others a bit more hairey chested and mean . A bit more me lol ! though? Did you test drive them all or if not, what made you choose it over the competition?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff