I, an embedded software engineer, purchased my first B-class car in March 2019. Why did I choose a B-class car? Mainly because B-class cars have larger space and are suitable for family use. Due to the difficulty of obtaining a license plate in Shenzhen, and the high cost of bidding (the average price of plates was over 50,000 when I bought mine), I ended up buying a domestically produced plug-in hybrid sedan (which can be charged as well as refueled). Before buying the car, I saw many netizens complaining about the shortcomings of domestic cars, but it’s not that exaggerated. If you haven’t driven or broken in a car, you really have no right to speak. As long as you like it, that’s what matters. A car is just a means of transportation; there’s no need to care about others’ opinions or feel pressured to buy a luxury car (like BBA) to show off. It’s much better to save that money for buying ribs or seafood, right? A moment of face-saving can lead to tears during maintenance. For daily commuting and family use, an ordinary model is sufficient.
Speaking of which, if I had another chance to purchase, I might pay for the following sentiment:
Next, I will share some knowledge I gathered before buying the car and the process of using it. Although I have been driving for over a year, I am still a novice when it comes to many aspects of cars and need to keep learning! Currently, I have driven for over a year, accumulating more than 20,000 kilometers, the car is in excellent condition, and I have no complaints, unlike the many negative comments online.
1. Automotive Terminology:
Wheelbase: The distance from the center of the front axle to the center of the rear axle, as shown in the vehicle specification diagram below:
Turning radius (mm): The radius of the circular trajectory of the outer steering wheel’s center plane on the vehicle’s supporting plane when the vehicle is steering. The minimum turning radius is the radius when the steering wheel is turned to the limit position.
Maximum gross weight (kg): The total weight of the car when fully loaded.
Number of wheels and number of driven wheels (n×m): The number of wheels is measured by the number of hubs, where n represents the total number of wheels of the car, and m represents the number of driven wheels.
Minimum ground clearance (mm): The distance from the lowest point of the car to the ground when fully loaded.
Maximum loading weight (kg): The maximum loading weight of the car while driving on the road.
Rear overhang (mm): The distance from the rear end of the car to the center of the rear axle.
Track width (mm): The distance between the center lines of the tires on the same side of the car.
Equipped weight of the vehicle (kg): The weight of the vehicle when fully equipped, including lubricants, fuel, tools, spare tires, and all installed devices.
Maximum speed (km/h): The maximum speed the car can achieve on a flat road.
Car width (mm): The distance between the two extreme points in the width direction of the car.
Car height (mm): The distance from the highest point of the car to the ground.
Car length (mm): The distance between the two extreme points in the length direction of the car.
Average fuel consumption (l/100km): The average fuel consumption of the car per hundred kilometers while driving on the road.
Departure angle (°): The angle between the tangent line drawn from the rear protruding point of the car to the rear wheels and the ground.
Maximum climbing slope (%): The maximum climbing ability of the car when fully loaded.
Front overhang (mm): The distance from the front end of the car to the center of the front axle.
Maximum axle load (kg): The maximum total weight that a single axle can carry, related to road passability.
Approach angle (°): The angle between the tangent line drawn from the front protruding point of the car to the front wheels and the ground.
Zero kilometer car (automobile sales terminology): Refers to a car with a mileage of zero (or low mileage, such as not exceeding 10 km), which appears to meet the customer’s demand for an “absolutely brand new” vehicle. Zero kilometers means that the car has not been driven since it came off the production line. To ensure the odometer reads zero, large specialized vehicles are used for transportation from the factory to various sales points, ensuring the vehicle is brand new.
2. Vehicle Classification
Vehicle classification is divided into several types, mainly as follows: (1) A00-class passenger car: Wheelbase between 2.0 and 2.2 meters, engine displacement less than 1 liter.
(2) A0-class passenger car: Wheelbase between 2.2 and 2.3 meters, displacement between 1 liter and 1.5 liters.
(3) A-class passenger car: Generally compact cars, wheelbase between 2.3 and 2.45 meters, displacement around 1.5 to 2.0 liters.
(4) B-class passenger car: Generally medium-sized cars, wheelbase between 2.45 and 2.6 meters, displacement from 2.0 to 3.0 liters.
(5) C-class passenger car: Generally large medium-sized cars, wheelbase between 2.6 and 2.8 meters, engine displacement from 3.0 to 4.0 liters.
(6) D-class luxury passenger car: Generally refers to large vehicles, mostly with a grand appearance and extremely spacious interiors, with powerful engines, and a wheelbase generally greater than 2.8 meters, with displacement usually above 4.0 liters.
The above vehicle types reference wheelbase data from Baidu search, but in reality, the data I looked at is much larger, for example, B-class cars typically have a wheelbase between 2.7-2.9 meters, C-class between 2.8-3.0 meters or more, and D-class has an even larger wheelbase.
Of course, there are also SUVs, MPVs, pickups, etc.
SUV stands for Sport Utility Vehicle, also commonly known as “off-road vehicles” (although they are slightly different in essence). Commonly divided into 5-seater and 7-seater.
MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicles) translates to multi-purpose business vehicles, abbreviated as business vehicles; multi-purpose cars evolved from travel sedans, combining the spacious passenger space of a travel car, the comfort of a sedan, and the functionality of a van, generally with a two-box structure that can seat 7-8 people.
A pickup truck is a vehicle with a cargo box without a roof behind the cab, which can be understood as a car head resembling a sedan or SUV, with a small cargo bed added at the back, making it a pickup truck. It is a dual-purpose vehicle that resembles a sedan in front and has a cargo box at the back.
3. Displacement
Refers to the volume of fluid inhaled or expelled per stroke or cycle. Generally, the larger the displacement, the more energy released by the engine per unit time (i.e., converting the chemical energy of fuel into mechanical energy), meaning better “power performance”.
The working volume passed by the piston from the top dead center to the bottom dead center is called the cylinder displacement; if the engine has several cylinders, the sum of all cylinder working volumes is called the engine displacement. It is generally expressed in liters (L). Engine displacement is one of the most important structural parameters, representing the size of the engine better than bore and number of cylinders, and many indicators of the engine are closely related to displacement.
Calculation formula: Vst=Vsi=（VstL- displacement, i- number of cylinders, D- cylinder diameter mm, S- piston stroke）
So what is the relationship between displacement and fuel consumption per hundred kilometers? Generally speaking, the larger the displacement, the higher the fuel consumption per hundred kilometers.
According to the standards in mainland China, classified as: Micro car (displacement below 1L), ordinary car (displacement 1.0~1.6L), intermediate car (displacement 1.6~2.5L), upper intermediate car (displacement 2.5~4.0L), and premium car (displacement above 4L).
There is a good article introducing displacement: https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1558950710658263&wfr=spider&for=pc
My car must meet the National VI emissions standards in the Shenzhen area.
4. Prices of Various Vehicle Types
Primarily based on price, with technical specifications as a supplement. Cars priced over 200,000 yuan are classified as upper-intermediate cars; 200,000 to 150,000 yuan as intermediate cars; 150,000 to 100,000 yuan as ordinary cars; and below 100,000 yuan as micro cars or economy cars.
5. Two-Box and Three-Box Cars
A two-box car, due to its compact trunk structure, is connected to the passenger compartment, so there is no separate trunk. This leads to significant differences and different advantages and disadvantages between two-box and three-box cars, as shown in the image below:
A three-box car, as the name suggests, divides the car into three parts: the engine compartment, the passenger compartment, and the spacious trunk that is separated from the passenger compartment. As shown in the image below:
6. Important Buying Principles
Three Major Laws:
1. Buy late, don’t buy early. Here, “late” has two meanings.
One is that the best time to buy a car generally occurs at the end of the year, as the year-end rush for sales, meeting targets, seeking rebates, reducing inventory, and promoting new cars compel automotive companies and dealers to take discount and price reduction measures. This has been verified over many years in the market. Throughout the year, it is best to buy a car late, preferably at the end of the year. Buying early means enjoying it early, but you may regret it early too. A car bought at the beginning of the year may now look significantly more expensive.
Two is that after a new car is launched, prices will definitely drop. Therefore, it’s best to wait a bit after a new car is released before buying it, as prices will drop.
2. Buy more, don’t buy less.
A car that has high production, a large market share, and many consumers purchasing it should have gained recognition from the market and more consumers, having undergone a double test of the market and consumers, indicating reliable quality and performance, and a reasonable price. Such cars are easy to maintain, and after-sales service is guaranteed. When choosing a car, it’s also important to consider the dealer. It’s best to buy from a 4S store with high sales and good after-sales service. In the absence of expert consultation, these factors can serve as a reference.
3. Buy when prices are rising, don’t buy when prices are falling.
This law can also be understood from two aspects. If the price of a car is showing a rapid decline trend, do not buy it; if the model you selected is unstable and keeps declining in price, do not buy it. Some models have relatively stable prices, such as the new Bora from FAW-Volkswagen and the Passat from Shanghai Volkswagen, etc. Major manufacturers and brands generally do not frequently reduce prices, so they can be considered when purchasing.
Eight Precautions: Observe from multiple angles and experience from various perspectives. You can use the observation methods of traditional Chinese medicine for better memory and understanding. It’s essential to be cautious when spending hard-earned money on a car.
1. Pay attention to “Look”, observe carefully. Check if the exterior paint is smooth and even, if the interior colors are reasonable and harmonious; look at the production date, observe the dust in the engine compartment, check the odometer display, and see if there are any signs of manual tampering on various components. Generally, there shouldn’t be any problems. However, the phenomenon of a new car being sold to customers after being scratched is not entirely absent. Be cautious in identifying suspicious areas, and confirm there are no issues before proceeding.
2. Pay attention to “Listen”, listen carefully. Check if the sound of closing the door is solid and thick, listen for any abnormal sounds from the engine when starting, and whether the mechanical noise is within the acceptable range; close the door and listen to the external noise in the cabin to assess the cabin’s sound insulation; listen to the audio system to judge its precision.
3. Pay attention to “Ask”, inquire actively. Ask the sales personnel about the engine parameters and other main data for reference when measuring, and also take the opportunity to see if the dealer is hiding any issues and whether they are being honest; inquire at the service station about the owners of cars coming in for maintenance about their experiences with this model, what problems they encountered, and their satisfaction levels.
4. Pay attention to “Touch”, feel it out. Open the engine cover, move the plastic hoses to check for any signs of aging or cracking, twist the screws to see if they are loose, and feel for dust to determine whether the car has been in long-term storage; use a screwdriver against the engine block to listen for any abnormal sounds; use a towel to block the exhaust pipe to check for leaks.
5. Pay attention to “Smell”, identify unusual odors. When the car is running, check for any abnormal smells in the engine compartment and cabin to assess the engine’s condition and the cabin’s sealing effectiveness.
6. Pay attention to “Compare”, compare prices. Look at the manufacturers for the same type of car; for the same model, compare dealers; for similar dealers, compare prices. German cars are safe and reliable with good performance; American cars are spacious and comfortable but have slightly higher fuel consumption; Japanese cars are precise, economical, stylish, and can be a bit floaty at high speeds. Many joint venture and domestic brands have their strengths, and you should choose carefully based on your preferences and budget.
7. Pay attention to “Test”, test drive. If you know how to drive, take it for a test drive yourself, checking for engine noise, wind noise, road noise, performance on straight and curved roads, first gear to fifth gear, reverse gear, throttle response, and overall driving experience. Pay attention to whether the speedometer and odometer readings are accurate; if the needle isn’t moving, it indicates a disconnection in the speedometer line, leading to inaccurate mileage. Pay attention to the size of the steering wheel assist, whether the steering is off-center, and the effectiveness of the lights and audio system. If you don’t know how to drive, let a friend drive while you ride along to assess your satisfaction with the above aspects.
8. Pay attention to “Measure”, conduct key tests. Visually check if the braking distance matches the specifications given in the manual; use an external bottle to measure basic fuel consumption; if necessary, use a stethoscope to test the engine sound to assess the vehicle’s quality and performance.
Some choices may be cumbersome, but they are for reference only. When choosing and purchasing a car, you should be responsible for yourself. Buying a car is easy, but returning it is difficult; you have ample choice. This power, if not used at the time, will expire. Why not be selective?
7. Car Buying Process
I first browsed cars online, initially interested in the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Teana. However, I did not choose any of these three for the reasons mentioned at the beginning of the article: the license plate is too expensive (I can’t afford it!). By the calculations, I would have to spend over 200,000 yuan to get one of these sedans on the road.
By the way, the price of a car is not what you see online; the actual price is often higher. For example, if the listed price is 150,000 (non-green plate car), based on experience, the on-road price is about 180,000, which includes the vehicle’s base price, purchase tax, and various fees as well as the first insurance.
7.1 Why Choose Geely Borui GE PHEV?
I believe this car currently has no rivals among mid-sized plug-in hybrid sedans priced below 200,000. After test-driving several PHEVs from other manufacturers, I concluded (I hope no one attacks me) that the cost-performance ratio is really high.
7.2 Vehicle Pricing
The Geely Auto official website has reference prices, but local discount policies vary, which can provide discounts of 10,000 to 20,000 yuan on existing vehicles. Since there is no purchase tax, the prices for plug-in hybrid cars are still very attractive. I just want to say, no matter what you buy, make sure to learn about several options before placing an order to avoid being taken advantage of.
8. Vehicle Usage Costs
1. Fuel Costs
Since I bought a hybrid model, the recommended fuel is 95-octane gasoline, which usually costs around 7 yuan per liter. Filling my tank (50L) costs about 350 yuan, but I usually spend around 300 yuan each time (with some discounts, it might even be 280 yuan). A full tank can last for 600-700 km without traffic jams; if driving on highways, the range might be even greater, depending on individual driving habits.
2. Electricity Costs
The Geely Borui GE’s battery is fully charged (about 11 kWh), with an official range of 60 km, but I get about 58 km in pure electric mode, costing about 11 yuan at 1 yuan per kWh.
I have a high demand for vehicle usage, commuting 80 km daily (with some traffic), so I fill up fuel about twice a month (sometimes three times if the battery is low). My monthly vehicle costs average around 600-700 yuan.
3. Parking Fees
Actually, the biggest expense is parking fees. We are okay at home, spending around 200 yuan a month, but at work, it’s 35 yuan a day (which is considered cheap; some parking lots in Futian charge 60 yuan a day, which is too expensive), so the total comes to about 900 yuan a month.
4. Maintenance
Car wash: I usually go to the Geely 4S store for free washes; sometimes I wash it myself at the construction site, so I hardly spend any money.
Minor maintenance (oil change, alignment, etc.) costs about 300-400 yuan each time, done every 10,000 kilometers (I’ve only done it twice so far).
Major maintenance (none yet).
Other (cosmetics): I don’t like those fancy films or car detailing; it costs too much, and I prefer simplicity.
5. Car Insurance
I purchased Zhonghua Dadi car insurance; since I didn’t have any accidents in the first year, the cost dropped significantly this year, costing less than 3000 yuan (valid for one year).
Others: Almost none.
9. Final Summary
There’s still a lot to say, and I’ll continue to share when I have the opportunity. I’m not an expert in this area, and I hope those who know cars can give me some pointers. Also, I welcome anyone interested in buying a car to discuss and exchange ideas with me. I hope my sharing can help everyone.