What Car Do You Want? What Car Do You Need?

I've put all the information you'll need to select the right vehicle for your needs right in the next 10 pages.  I can't do the work for you, but I can help you to be an educated and informed buyer.  The buying process begins with an assessment of your transportation needs, and a review of what's available.  It's important to find a car that suits your life-style -- that may sound obvious, but it deserves thoughtful attention.  Deciding on the right car for you takes research and good preparation.  

Which Type Of Vehicle Do You Want? -  If you already know something about cars, write down all the ones you might like to own.  Skip ones you obviously can't afford, such as Ferraris, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, or Rolls-Royces.  As you read, consider how the cars on your list fit with your life and pocketbook.  If you don't know what kind of car you want, don't worry.  It's more important to find answers to the next question :

What Type Of Vehicle Do You Need? - Your car should suit your life-style.  That means it fits your budget (see What Can I Afford?) and can do the jobs you need it to do, while being safe and comfortable.  And should it fit your image?  That one's up to you.  

What does your car need to do for you?  Your teenager may need a car for work, or you or your spouse might need a second car.  Some of us may be looking for a status symbol, while others might need to replace a family sedan in the last days of its useful life.  Depending on their recreational activities, singles and childless couples might desire a sports car, convertible, or pick-up truck.  Active families will want to consider a station wagon or minivan.  Many people I know want to buy an SUV, even after I've tried to dissuade them.  SUV's are fine for outdoor enthusiasts, but soccer moms will find minivans more useful.  If you own a  motorcycle, travel-trailer, or boat, a large heavy-duty pickup truck may be necessary.   A snowy climate or hilly terrain may require an all-wheel-drive vehicle like an Audi Quattro or Subaru sports sedan.  People living in the desert or high in the mountains may need a full-time four-wheel-drive SUV if off-road or severe-weather excursions are necessary.  Think twice before allowing your inexperienced teen-ager to drive a tiny econo-box.  Drivers under 20 account for a very high percentage of traffic fatalities, so consider the safety of a large or mid-sized sedan for young drivers.  Smaller 4-cylinder vehicles offer good fuel economy and maneuverability in urban environments, while 6-cylinder engines are better for interstate travelers.  You should give careful consideration to your family's ages, life-styles, occupations, and hobbies when choosing a car.  Below, I've described the various categories in more detail.  

Click on the 10 Headings below to go to a specific page (I strongly suggest you read them all)

Vehicle Types:  Automobiles vs. Light Trucks - For classification purposes, automobile manufacturers have historically divided their light vehicle products into two categories, Automobiles and Light Trucks.  Sales and marketing analysts use these classifications when discussing auto sales figures, so I'll use them as well.  In the section called Hybrids, I discuss the new categories that cross the car-truck line, as well as the new alternative-powered cars.

          1. Cars:  4-Door Sedans - 2-Door Coupes - Station Wagons - Convertibles - Sports Cars

          2. Light Trucks:  Mini Vans - SUVs - Pickup Trucks - Vans

          3. Hybrids:  Hybrid Power - Hybrid Vehicles - Shared Platforms

Safety - Safety should be your most important consideration when looking for a new or used motor vehicle.  I strongly recommend that you visit Crashtest.com early in the car-buying process, to get the safety rating for the cars you are considering.  Every year they publish crash-test results from the Federal Government's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  In addition to the most current information, they feature safety data on older cars, which lets you assess used cars.

          4. Safety Considerations & Weight Matters

          5. Passive Safety & Active Safety 

          6. Preferred Equipment

Important Considerations: 

          7. Reliability - Gas Mileage - Performance - Handling

          8. Transmissions (Manual or Automatic) & Driveline ( Front - Rear - AWD - 4WD)

Other Considerations: 

          9. Security Systems - Luxury - Color - Orphan Cars - Buying American

Beginning to Make a Choice: - At this point you will have some idea of what features are out there and you've given some thought to what your automobile will need to do for you.  There are so many makes and models available, however, that you may need to narrow down the field; or, if the whole subject is a new one to you, you may feel the need for some suggestions. 

         10. Ask People - Auto Consultants - Your Notebook -  The Next Step