Do I Need to Recite Shehechiyanu for a New Car?

Hello, 1. According to Ashkenazi custom, one should recite Shehechiyanu on a new car. If you have a wife and children who will also benefit from it, you should recite Hatov VeHametiv (as explained in Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 168:3 and 4, as well as in the responsa of Igrot Moshe, Orach Chaim, Part 3, Siman 80, and in the book Asheri HaIsh, Orach Chaim, Part 1, Chapter 39, Section 22, in the name of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, zt"l). You should recite the blessing before you begin using the new car (also see the book Teshuvot Avigdor Halevi, Part 1, page 230). 2. However, according to Sephardi custom, one does not recite Shehechiyanu when purchasing a new car. Nevertheless, since according to the law a blessing should have been made, it is advisable for everyone to wear new clothing and recite Shehechiyanu on it, intending to include the new car in this blessing. If family members also benefit from the car, then when one recites Hatov VeHametiv over wine, they should intend to include the car. Alternatively, in the blessing of Hatov VeHametiv in the Birkat Hamazon (Grace After Meals), they should also intend to include the car (see Halacha Brurah, Siman 168, Section 31). 3. According to Ashkenazi custom, one should recite Shehechiyanu or Hatov VeHametiv on a new car even when a loan was taken for the purchase, and even when the car is encumbered to the lending company, as long as you have stable employment and believe that you will be able to repay the debt when it is due (Asheri HaIsh, Section 19, in the name of Rabbi Yisrael Salanter, zt"l, and Hazon Ovadia, Berachot, pages 780-781). Good luck,