Choosing the Right Vehicle for You

When you go to a dealership, don't be suckered in by the salesman in a suit and a big smile. That's your first mistake. Try to make it the last one.

To buy a car these days, you need to walk into the place with a poker face. That is a face that is used in poker, to hide all emotion. And a pad and pen. You need this to jot down notes and compare prices. Now it's time to buy a car. First, you need to decide on what TYPE of vehicle you need.

Are you single? Then you don't need an SUV. Shop around for a coupe. (two door car) If you have a lot of friends, then a passenger car is fine. (four-door) Have children? Your best bet is a mini-van, or even a small SUV. Soccer mom? Get a minivan. A hard working construction guy/gal? You might have to get a truck, so you can carry all your tools? So the last nine sentences are common sense right?

Let's break it down even further. Single/dating folks usually need two-seater's. What if you want to take a little vacation? You have to take into consideration trunk space. Are the seats comfortable and to your liking? Make sure that you don't settle for any available paint. Get the paint color YOU want, and if it's not available after a little bit of trying, get the closest shade. Why? Colors are very important to people, even more so when it comes to YOUR car.

If you have kids, you need to select you vehicle CAREFULLY. Is it roomy enough? Is there plenty of space for groceries and skateboards/scooters? Can you clean it easily? Most important of all, is it safe? Minivans generally hold up much better in a crash than a car.

When working in construction, space is important. So, when you pick your truck, is the four-door cab REALLY necessary? Or is the long bed better?

Now this part gets to the nitty-gritty of buying a vehicle.
A/C. Some cars this option is free, some cars it's not. When you read the sticker on the window, scan it carefully to see what is says about it. Some times getting a paint color cost extra. Ask the salesman to see what he says. When you get a minivan, are twelve cup holders REALLY that important? Or could you settle with 6? Remember some things cost extra. Don't be wowed by all the bells and whistles. Does your minivan REALLY need 3 DVD screens? Or you can make do with the standard one screen? Are heating or massaging seats really worth it when you buy a SUV?

Bonus!!!: A lot of this depends on where you live in the U.S. Warmer climate states, A/C is a must. In states that snow a lot heavy tread or snow tires is a good thing to have. States that have dry arid areas tend to rust their car much quicker compared to other states. To combat this ask about rust protection and the cost. Or you can raise the car yourself safely and apply rubberized under coating to the underside of your car. Before applying, tape over fuel lines, drainage holes, filters, and hoses that are there. This will stop any rust from forming. About two cans should be enough. If you buy a truck, options can add up quickly. Four-door cabs cost more that the two-door cabs. The 2x4, 4x4 is another thing altogether. If your going to use your truck for climbing rocks and running around in ditches, get the 4x4 option.

Lastly, you have to figure out how much you are willing to spend. If you get the base model of anything, you save between four thousand to ten thousand dollars. This depends on what make of car you get. Don't forget to look at the APR Rate, interest rate, and taxes. The more you put down on the first payment, the less you pay overall.

Gecko Joe, Choosing the right vehicle for you Associated Content