8 Considerations When Buying A New Vehicle

I am writing this article to encourage and help you to look at what you need in a vehicle. I honestly believe a lot fewer people would feel taken advantage of or ripped off if these questions were pondered and written down before you even get to the dealership. Being prepared will give you confidence in your ability to make an educated decision. The car dealer will also see that you know what you want in a vehicle, making it harder for them to up-sell you. They will also be less likely to try and convince you to buy something you don't want or need. If you're taking another vehicle in on a trade, look up the age, make and model of your car. The information will help you to prepare when negotiating a price to reduce the total price of your new vehicle.

I will be going over the eight questions you need to ask yourself before you get to the car dealership. Why I chose these questions and the importance of each one. I will also provide my experience on the practical need of a few different vehicles and their uses. Start by writing down if the car you want and how it's going to be used, in the city or mostly highway driving. You will burn more gas driving around the city, starting and stopping at the intersections, then you will going a steady speed out on the highway. Know your budget or set a realistic amount you are willing to pay and can afford. So pull up a chair and let's answer those questions before you go anywhere. Get a pen and paper and let's write them down.

Make sure you write down the numbers 1-8, ask yourself these questions and leave room for your answers. When you're done scroll down, and there will be more details on why these are the questions, I wanted you to consider. These questions apply whether you're buying new or used.

1. Can I afford to have the car of my dreams or do I need to be more practical?
2. Do I want to pay extra for a sport or turbocharged type of vehicle?
3. Am I looking for a larger family vehicle or one for two people?
4. Do I want a diesel or gas powered, Eco boost or regular?
5. Is there a repair shop or dealer close by if I need repairs? Do they service the type of vehicle I want to purchase, where I live?
6. Do I want to haul around more people or will I be hauling building and home supplies?
7. Will my age or gender affect the cost of registration and insurance?
8. Does the color matter or do I buy what is on the lot? There are stats out that show vehicle color is important, concerning both accidents and theft.

Always ask for the carfax, this is a complete run down on all information about a used vehicle. Including whether it was involved in any accidents or the damages it has. Be willing to walk away if they won't provide that information. Some issues can affect the safety of the vehicle.

Question: 1-3

This set of questions is important because the consideration of the vehicle being a need or want is imperative to know the purpose of that car. In the above photo, the choice of an SUV was important in my decisions and selection of this vehicle over a car. That decision is based, on the fact that 1, I couldn't afford the car of my want, as shown in the fist picture on this page. It did fill all my needs at this time. We were no longer empty Nestor's as we now have our grandchildren living with us. This fact determined that the best choice was required to have enough room for at least 4 or more people, and gear or equipment we would need during the school year. My Hyundai Veracruz accommodates 4 to 7 people. You can even lower the back set of seats leaving room for extra cargo. We live where winter can last six months or more. The automatic open and close on the back door is great when your hands are full. Before the purchase of this SUV, I owned a Subaru Impreza, sport. It was no longer practical for the family or my lack of ability to be able to crouch down, to get inside. Even though it fits four average size people well and has four doors, it no longer worked for us. If you are tall, the Impreza sport is not for you as your knees will be on each side of the stirring wheel. It does have great leg room for passengers, unlike some other small cars. As far as trunk room goes, it's good. I was surprised at the amount of luggage you get in the trunk of this car. If there is only 2 of you, just put the back seats down, and you have a ton of cargo room. The car wasn't a turbo charge, that choice was due to where we live and winter blowing snow is hard on the turbo intake. If you don't have a garage, they are almost impossible to start in winter conditions in Alberta. The SUV is easy to park, fits a good amount of people and can be used, for an average amount of hauling items.

Question: 4-6

The reasons I chose a gas powered vehicle over diesel was simply the fact, that right now and for the last couple years gas cost less than diesel does. I didn't go with Eco boost because it wasn't available in the types of vehicles I was considering at the time. The Ford F-150 comes in an eco boost but is very expensive to repair. The SUV is based powered and gets the same mileage as the car did. When it comes to repairs on any vehicle you need to consider if the repairs can be done close by or will repair cost more because of where you live? The more expensive vehicle you buy, the more repairs will cost. The type of vehicle you chose to purchase, make, model, sport, SUV, gas or diesel, all wheel drive or front wheel drive. All the factors I have mentioned will determine the cost of the vehicle you choose to purchase. Not only the cost up front when you make the purchase but later down the road when you need to replace parts or do repairs. When repairs are needed, call at least three different places and get quotes. I was surprised to find out the difference, in the cost of parts from one location to another.

Above I discussed a little about whether the vehicle would be used, for transportation of people. Now let's consider the transporting of large items like building supplies and large home items and farm supplies. In this case, you should seriously consider a full-size truck. If you do house Reno's and live in the city, you might get away with a smaller more compact truck. Our farm truck is a full-size long box, 8 feet. They are getting hard to find. The vehicle choice is based, on the fact that large building supplies, fence posts, and materials for farming would not fit in another type of vehicle. If we need to, we can fit all 4 of us easily without any discomfort. The only down size is the gas mileage sucks. Even though mileage is better when empty, it's mostly used, for hauling. The truck is also our only vehicle rated for pulling the travel or utility trailer. That is why it's an important reason to consider what the car you are thinking about buying. Its primary use will play a significant role in the type of vehicle you need. An example of need is to consider how big and heavy what you will be hauling or pulling will be. The Truck you need will cost even more and will need to be rated accordingly. You might have to consider a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton or a 1 ton. Each rating can be found either in the guide book of the vehicle or online.

Question: 7 & 8

Last but not least let's consider the last two questions on my list. The reason asking about your age and gender is important because most places up your insurance solely based on these two. Call or go online and look up insurance and registration requirements and costs. It will be different depending on where you live. Here in Alberta, it's higher for boys under the age of 25. Your rate will change according to you driving history too. Here it changes again based on how long you have been with your insurance company. Whether you have filed a previous claim or not. It 's hard to get an exact cost, but this information will make you more aware of all the added costs. I know some people don't consider the color of much importance, I do. The reason I believe the color is important is due to new studies that some colors are in more accidents, are more visible to other drivers and some absorb more heat into the vehicle. Red is the color known to be in a higher amount of accidents and theft. They study I read doesn't know whether it's because others are distracted by the color and too busy looking to pay attention to the road. But they do. White and black are very common colors and can usually be found, on the car dealer lot. You can usually drive your new ride within a day or two of the purchase. If you live where it's hot, I don't recommend black, exterior or interior. The color absorbs light and creates a warm interior of the car. White shows everything and is difficult to find in a large parking lot; it's the most common car color. When looking at the interiors, I prefer a gray or medium color. The seats also need to be easy to care for and clean. Make sure there is no Oder that could cause problems later.

Get this guide and be informed. Know the value of your trade in vehicle. You can also find the value of the vehicle you want to purchase. I love the knowledge this car guide provides before you get to the dealer.

KelleyBlueBook

According to autofocus, these are the 8 best family cars in 2016.

1. Honda Civic
2. Hyundai Elantra
3. Toyota Corolla
4. Chevrolet Cruze
5. Mazda 3
6. Volkswagon Jetta
7. Volkswagon Golf
8. Toyota Camry

Buy following along and answering the above questions. You will be well informed and able to buy the vehicle you want and need.

• Now you will know the value of your trade in car before you get to the dealer.
• Know what kind of vehicle you need before you arrive and its value.
• Know what the main reason you are buying the SUV, car or truck.
• You have thought about how many people will be in the vehicle and can buy accordingly.
• Now you also have taken the time to think about how the vehicle will be used. Ex, for transporting mostly people, items or supplies.
• You will be able to bargain for the best price since you have checked the approx value of the vehicle you want.
• You now know to ask for the car fax. It's mandatory to be provided with a full evaluation of the used car or truck you are purchasing.
• You have thought about whether the color is important or not. Check out the lot and see what they have available.

• Your list of questions to ask the dealer is done or typed into your phone. This will keep you from forgetting what you wanted to ask when you bet there.
• Always ask to take the vehicle for a test drive. If you decide it's what you want and it's not clean ask them to clean it. This is a complementary service at most dealerships. ( they want the sale)
• Now let's get into the car and get the one you want for the price you want. It's a great thing to be informed and well prepared.