|
What enables people to be on time for a scheduled
appointment, attend a favorite social event or recreational
activity, or just drive on a pleasant summer day? What
machine do many people get to know as if it were
almost a member of the family? What enables drivers to
experience greater freedom? Of course, what else but
the automobile. Or in today's terms: the automobile,
sport-utility vehicle, or minivan.
More and more people are realizing that the cost of new
transportation can really throw a budget into reverse.
Since dependable transportation is a necessity--do
not despair; a two to four-year old used vehicle can
be purchased at a savings of 25 to 50 percent as
compared to its cost when new. Additionally, the
number of well-built, dependable vehicles has
increased during the past decade.
When well maintained these vehicles can be driven for
many miles, and they are now available at substantial
savings.
The purchase of a dependable, reasonably priced used
vehicle is not a matter of chance or luck, but rather, it
is a matter of knowledge and understanding.
Gathering Information:
Literally hundreds of different vehicles are available,
but which one is the best for you? To better
determine the vehicle that satisfies your transportation
needs, first take the time to carefully identify your
current and future driving needs, then become aware
of the many available vehicles, and finally, zero in on
the vehicles that best meet your needs.
Some questions to consider about transportation needs
include:
- How many people will be transported in the vehicle?
- What type of objects and cargo will be transported
in the vehicle (space considerations)?
- Will driving be conducted in poor whether conditions
or off-road (rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, all-
wheel drive)?
- Will stop-and-go or interstate driving be performed?
Thus, is an automatic, a semi-automatic, or a standard
transmission preferred?
- Is there a preference for a domestic or a foreign
vehicle?
- In a sport-utility vehicle, is a more rugged full box type
frame needed for off-road driving, or will a unit-body
type frame be suitable for intended general highway
driving? Additionally, what towing capacity should
the sport-utility vehicle have?
- In a minivan, are sliding doors needed on both sides,
the left-side or the right-side of the vehicle for easier
entry and exit?
- How much will insurance cost to protect the driver
and the vehicle (consider obtaining an insurance quote
before buying a vehicle)?
- What is the approximate amount of money to be spent
on a vehicle?
If you are not familiar with which vehicles meet your
transportation needs, visit a local public library to
consult the April (vehicle) issue of "Consumer Reports." This objective information source provides technical
specifications for vehicles including the size, weight,
engine horsepower, optional equipment, and miles per
gallon of fuel, etc.
After determining the type of automobile,
sport-utility vehicle, or minivan that satisfies your
needs, it is worthwhile to consult "Consumer Reports'" frequency-of-repair information to identify specific
vehicles that will likely have fewer future repairs.
Web discussion groups are also a good source of "from
the street" information for identifying the strengths and
weaknesses of specific vehicles.
In addition to becoming informed about particular
vehicles, it is worthwhile to learn the approximate prices
for vehicles of interest. To obtain a general idea of vehicle
prices, consult the current monthly edition of the "N.A.D.A.
Official Used Car Guide" at a public library, bank, or
automobile dealership.
Vehicle price information can also be obtained by
consulting the vehicle classified sections of major
newspapers at a public library. This is a convenient
way to get a read on future prices, because vehicle
price trends usually begin in major cities and then
progress to other areas of the country.
|
