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The number of vehicles that are available to
satisfy your driving needs has never been greater.
During the last decade, auto manufactures have
really jumped on the vehicle bandwagon by offering
numerous automobiles, sport-utilities, multipurpose
vehicles, minivans, and trucks. When it comes to
buying a vehicle, the central question is: Which
vehicle is the right one for you?
Choices and More Choices:
In addition to having multiple divisions within a
single manufacturer, the choice of vehicles from
which to choose is enough to make the consumer
really spin his or her wheels trying to figure out just
what vehicle to purchase.
The bottom line is that you deserve the most smiles
per mile when you sit behind the wheel.
Although emotions are a part of life, concerning
transportation, it is useful to put excessive emotions
aside and focus on your day-in and day-out
transportation needs.
Some Things to Consider:
The following are some things to consider that will
help you to choose the right vehicle:
- What are your present and future transportation
needs?
- How many people will you transport in the vehicle
(seating capacity)?
- What type of objects will you transport in the
vehicle (cargo space)?
- Will you be driving in bad weather or off-road
(rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, all-wheel
drive)?
- Do you have an overriding need for fuel economy,
safety, luxury, etc.?
- Do you drive mostly in the city or on the interstate
(automatic, semi-automatic, or manual transmission)?
- Do you have a preference for an American or a
foreign vehicle?
- Do you need a vehicle with a full box type frame
for off-road use or a lighter unit-body type frame
designed to be used on roads and highways?
- How long do you plan on driving the vehicle
(warranty and maintenance)?
- What will it cost to insure the vehicle?
- How much can you afford to spend on a vehicle?
Information is Your Best Bet:
If you are not familiar with the numerous available
vehicles, or if you are still uncertain about which
vehicles will really meet your transportation needs,
visit your local public library and consult the April
(vehicle issue) of "Consumer Reports." This objective
resource provides vehicle information such as the size,
weight, engine horsepower, optional equipment,
miles per gallon of fuel, etc.
Try to identify two or three vehicles that
will meet your driving needs. By identifying
two or three vehicles, you will have some
latitude and bargaining power when you go
to purchase a vehicle. Then be sure to consult
the frequency-of-repair information as provided
by "Consumer Reports" to determine which
vehicles are dependable. If you are seeking to
purchase a new vehicle, use the
frequency-of-repair information from the
previous two or three years for a specific
vehicle.
Last, but not least, read the road tests about the
vehicles of interest in magazines and/or Internet
publications such as "Road & Track," "Car and
Driver," "Motor Trend," and "MotorWeek." How
will reading the road tests be useful? Lets say
that you identify three vehicles in a particular
category. It initially appears that all three of the
vehicles will meet your driving needs. However,
say you have a preference for a vehicle that has
a soft ride or one that has certain convenience
features, the vehicle road tests will include
comments about such information. You can then
better determine which vehicle out of the three
is your A, B, and C choices.
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