Buying a new car is tough! Before you buy something there are LOTS of things to consider. To follow is a short list of questions to get you thinking about what car is right for you. Using myself as an example, we’ll see what kind of car would be a good fit for me!
- How much do you drive?
- Do you commonly drive alone or do you often have passengers?
- How much space do you need, and how often will you use it (ie. Groceries, Hockey gear for the kids, etc.)?
- How much are you planning on spending on gas?
- How much are you planning on spending on insurance?
- What features are important to you?
- Is there a specific brand or manufacturer you’re partial to?
- What have you driven in the past?
- Do you put winter tires on your car every year?
- Will your mechanic service this car (is there anything he/she WON’T service?)?
If you drive often, you’ll want something that’s comfortable, but also doesn’t cost an arm and a leg at the pump.
JennLaz: I drive quite a bit (often highway).
If you drive alone, you might not mind having a small car. BUT, if you often have passengers, you’ll probably require a little more space.
JennLaz: I don’t often have passengers other than my boyfriend, who’s 6’2”.
If you are a busy parent, odds are you’ve always got SOMETHING in your trunk (groceries, hockey gear, snack for the soccer game, etc.). If you don’t yet have kids, you probably don’t use the storage that often and could do with a storage rack or a smaller trunk.
JennLaz: I don’t have kids, and often have the back seat empty for added storage.
Gas tank sizes obviously vary, and this is something you’ll have to consider when budgeting for this new vehicle. Are you willing to spend $60 to fill up your tank?
JennLaz: I’d be willing to spend about $50 to fill up my tank. I would NOT spend $65+.
When buying a new car few people take into account how much insurance will cost them. Although it’s implied that most people would like to spend as little as possible on insurance, is this something that would change what you purchase?
JennLaz: Insurance costs aren’t that important to me (they won’t make or break my decision).
This is something that most people don’t consider until they’re already looking at a car. Do you want keyless entry, heated seats, etc. etc. etc. Consider what features are important to you and then find a car that has all (or most) of those features!
JennLaz: Air conditioning and power locks are a must for me!
Have you always driven the same brand of car? Is there any type of car that you DON’T want to drive? Important information when picking a car!
JennLaz: I’ve driven Toyotas, and I’m happy with them. There’s nothing I refuse to drive, and I’d be willing to try other brands.
Similar to the last question (in brand), but size is also an important consideration. If you’ve always driven big SUVs, odds are you’d be uncomfortable in a tiny car. Consider that – is there anything you’d be uncomfortable driving?
JennLaz: I’ve always driven small cars, or crossovers. I’d be uncomfortable in a big SUV, but I’d like a crossover!
Most insurance companies ask this, but it’s an important question when considering cars. Are you willing to spend the money for 22” tires when you used to drive 15”s? This could also play a role in whether or not to purchase a 4×4 or not.
JennLaz: I do put winter tires on my car every year. That’s part of the investment!
Some mechanics only service certain types of cars. If you’re partial to your mechanic you should make sure he will service this new car. If your mechanic won’t service the car you choose, do you know where you’ll take the new car?
JennLaz: My mechanic will service anything.
Conclusions:
After answering these questions myself, we’ve learned that I am looking for a mid-size car or crossover that offers a little extra space, but won’t break the bank to fill up. When I met with Prime Motors they gave me a few choices (these two were my favourite):
Dodge Caliber
I needed something that offers a little more space, but won’t cost too much to fill up. The Dodge Caliber offers a greater amount of space, but is still small enough to easily get around in.
Toyota Highlander
The Toyota Highlander is a nice looking crossover that gives me the extra space I need. Since I had mentioned that I liked Toyota they made sure to include a couple of Toyota options, and this one was my favorite! It was actually a vehicle I was thinking about before coming to see them!
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