Things to remember when buying a new car

Even though we might make the commitment that we won't get swept away by the emotion of the moment and buy something we don't really need or can't afford we still find it hard to park our emotions when we walk into the showroom.

The salesman waiting there for us understands this and won't hesitate to use it as a weapon against us. We have to understand that it is first and foremost a business deal and we must put our emotions aside.

Don't make decisions on the run, if you're not sure take the time to think about it before committing to something you might spend years paying for. The smiling salesman might appear to be our friend, but he's a professional and has no emotional connection to us, or to the car we are buying.

For him it is purely a business deal and his sole aim is the sign us up for as much as he can before moving on to the next deal. We have to have a similar focus. Do your homework before you set out on your mission to buy.

Understand what it is you want your car to do, write down your list of 'must-haves' and 'would-likes', and have a list of the cars that could possibly fill your needs and wants. That way you will be well armed to resist the 'sell' when it comes.

Resist being 'up-sold' by the salesman into something you don't really want or need. In this it's important to clearly understand that are not talking to the car company itself when you're discussing a possible purchase with the salesman at the dealership.

The dealer is an entirely separate entity to the actual carmaker and might offer you products that have no connection to the carmaker, and importantly no backing from the factory.

Typical products you might be offered are paint protection and extended warranties. If you are tempted to sign up for these products ask the salesman to justify their need when the carmakers themselves don't find the need to offer them.