To be honest, buying a new car isn't really a nightmare per se, but it's not great entertainment either, as I thought it would be. All my previous cars were used ones and bought from previous owners, and I thought buying a new one would be a great, new, pleasurable experience. It turned out to be more about calculations, evaluations, and responsibility than pure pleasure.
This is my experience, and take it only as another blog entry of mine; it's not a recommendation of any kind, and I am not trying to advertise any products here or the car itself. Just a short story. Ok, to start with, I had first to sell my 10-year-old Peugeot 206. It was a great small automobile, and it served us extremely well, but as it got two-digit birthday, I felt now is the time to let it go. The used car market in Serbia is extremely large. The majority of people are driving 5-6 years or older cars imported from western European countries, and there are lots of dealers everywhere you look. I thought I would never sell it and was prepared to use it as a second car for a while, but surprisingly, after only 2 weeks, my internet ad attracted a dedicated buyer. Ok, maybe not just because he was so determined to buy it instantly; it was more likely I went significantly under price and even paid for all repairs mechanics found. I hope the new owner will be happy with it for years to come.
The second step was to find a new car to buy. Initially we started asking friends and relatives about which one is good and why, but soon I realized this was just a waste of time. Everybody had their own opinions and favorites, so we decided to use only rational reasons. That means it had to fit into our garage without expanding the door. Also, it had to fit under our current financial situation and be used for our needs and habits. I practically work in the same building where we live, so I don't even need a roller to get there. My wife's job is also 10 mins away from home, so the car we needed was not for everyday use, and we eventually sorted out 3 models, and then it was easy. We selected this one mainly because it was made this year, it had some initial discount, and it had all security systems regarding stability and safety with acronyms I simply can't remember. What is important to me now is that I know when I hit the brakes it listens immediately no matter what kind of road it is on, and also when I hit the accelerator pedal it uses all horses inside to pass the bus as fast as possible. Actually, all three models we selected were capable of this, but the winner, besides having a new engine developed this year, also had 7 years of warranty, which was also very important to me. So, here it is KIA RIO, the third generation of this model manufactured directly in South Korea's factory before they would move it elsewhere in the world.
Finally, the financial leasing I chose was operational rent, which is very good compared to other solutions. Neither I nor my company is the owner during the lease period, but I don't care as long as it is fully covered with insurance and everything.
There is one more reason I like these leasing terms - instead of me performing annual maintenance, they will be doing it for me! My Serbian friends would probably understand, as they surely know what a nightmare it is to get paperwork done every year, and I get chills every time I have to do any kind of paperwork downtown. I am literally allergic to bureaucracy of any kind. So, in a nutshell, this was it. Driving a new car is a special experience and feeling, and who doesn't love the new car smell? It's adorable, along with listening to good music inside. After 2000km, we are extremely satisfied with RIO. This is one great family car with almost no downsides or big issues. We are expressing big gratitude to the "Velja Auto" in Niš, Serbia, the official representative of KIA in Serbia, for their cordiality and friendship.
KIA Rio 5 doors:
http://www.kiamotors.com/vehicles/rio/default.aspx
KIA Serbia:
http://www.kia.rs/
KIA Representative in Niš:
http://www.kia.rs/representatives/view/294
This is my experience, and take it only as another blog entry of mine; it's not a recommendation of any kind, and I am not trying to advertise any products here or the car itself. Just a short story. Ok, to start with, I had first to sell my 10-year-old Peugeot 206. It was a great small automobile, and it served us extremely well, but as it got two-digit birthday, I felt now is the time to let it go. The used car market in Serbia is extremely large. The majority of people are driving 5-6 years or older cars imported from western European countries, and there are lots of dealers everywhere you look. I thought I would never sell it and was prepared to use it as a second car for a while, but surprisingly, after only 2 weeks, my internet ad attracted a dedicated buyer. Ok, maybe not just because he was so determined to buy it instantly; it was more likely I went significantly under price and even paid for all repairs mechanics found. I hope the new owner will be happy with it for years to come.
Kia Rio and the hostess
The second step was to find a new car to buy. Initially we started asking friends and relatives about which one is good and why, but soon I realized this was just a waste of time. Everybody had their own opinions and favorites, so we decided to use only rational reasons. That means it had to fit into our garage without expanding the door. Also, it had to fit under our current financial situation and be used for our needs and habits. I practically work in the same building where we live, so I don't even need a roller to get there. My wife's job is also 10 mins away from home, so the car we needed was not for everyday use, and we eventually sorted out 3 models, and then it was easy. We selected this one mainly because it was made this year, it had some initial discount, and it had all security systems regarding stability and safety with acronyms I simply can't remember. What is important to me now is that I know when I hit the brakes it listens immediately no matter what kind of road it is on, and also when I hit the accelerator pedal it uses all horses inside to pass the bus as fast as possible. Actually, all three models we selected were capable of this, but the winner, besides having a new engine developed this year, also had 7 years of warranty, which was also very important to me. So, here it is KIA RIO, the third generation of this model manufactured directly in South Korea's factory before they would move it elsewhere in the world.
Finally, the financial leasing I chose was operational rent, which is very good compared to other solutions. Neither I nor my company is the owner during the lease period, but I don't care as long as it is fully covered with insurance and everything.
Electric blue Kia Rio
There is one more reason I like these leasing terms - instead of me performing annual maintenance, they will be doing it for me! My Serbian friends would probably understand, as they surely know what a nightmare it is to get paperwork done every year, and I get chills every time I have to do any kind of paperwork downtown. I am literally allergic to bureaucracy of any kind. So, in a nutshell, this was it. Driving a new car is a special experience and feeling, and who doesn't love the new car smell? It's adorable, along with listening to good music inside. After 2000km, we are extremely satisfied with RIO. This is one great family car with almost no downsides or big issues. We are expressing big gratitude to the "Velja Auto" in Niš, Serbia, the official representative of KIA in Serbia, for their cordiality and friendship.
KIA Rio 5 doors:
http://www.kiamotors.com/vehicles/rio/default.aspx
KIA Serbia:
http://www.kia.rs/
KIA Representative in Niš:
http://www.kia.rs/representatives/view/294