| Before you rush out and buy that new car, | | | | Counting costs may also need to come into the |
| it's a wise idea to think about what you | | | | equation. These days when the cost of fuel |
| really need in a car. | | | | has risen considerably, it makes sense to buy |
| | | | the car that takes the least amount of fuel |
| People's needs change, so what was suitable | | | | to run - so long as it still meets your other |
| when you bought your present car may not be | | | | needs. |
| the right criteria for now - or the future. | | | | |
| For instance, if you are a young married and | | | | These are some important things to think |
| plan on having a family over the next few | | | | about before making that final decision. |
| years, you'll need to consider whether there | | | | |
| will be enough space in your chosen car. | | | | Before you go out to buy that car, it might |
| | | | pay to do some research on it. There are |
| A car should last at least ten years and | | | | many websites that allow you to type in make |
| things can certainly change in that time. | | | | and model of a car and get details of what it |
| | | | is worth. |
| You might intend to only have one child, but | | | | |
| what about school friends or car-pooling? | | | | Ideally, you should make a folder especially |
| There will need to be enough space for these | | | | for all the information you will get from |
| possibilities. A sporty two-seater will be | | | | various sources. It's easy to forget or |
| impossible to fit two or three kids in along | | | | confuse one set of information with another. |
| with Mum and Dad. | | | | |
| | | | Trading magazines will give you a good idea |
| On the other hand, that six-seater you bought | | | | of what a particular make and model of car is |
| several years ago could be far too big if | | | | selling for, and you can watch the ads in the |
| your children have all recently left home. | | | | newspaper and at used car lots. |
| Yet again, you might decide that now is the | | | | |
| time to take that long trip you've planned | | | | Be sure to save all the data and put it into |
| for years and you'll need a larger vehicle to | | | | your folder. But price is not the only thing |
| tow the caravan. | | | | you want to find out. |
| | | | |
| Another thing to consider is what you will be | | | | New car pricing info can be had from |
| using the vehicle for most. Do you take | | | | FightingChance.com, Autoweb, Autos.com, |
| off-road holidays, or do you prefer to keep | | | | Invoice Dealers and others. They will give |
| to the main roads? Will the car need to | | | | you prices on new and used cars and also the |
| double as a work vehicle? Maybe it will be | | | | dealer invoice price for new cars. |
| needed for work, family and shopping. | | | | |
| | | | It's much easier to do this research online |
| If you will be using it for work as well as | | | | rather than drive all over town hunting down |
| family, will it hold the things you need for | | | | prices. Always get at least three quotes for |
| your work? Not many bags of horse feed will | | | | a new car. They will all vary. The way to get |
| fit in a sedan. On the other hand if the car | | | | the best price on your chosen vehicles is |
| is to be used as a run-about for the shopping | | | | with competing quotes. You should never go to |
| and children, a sedan would be fine. | | | | a car yard without your quotes to compare |
| | | | with their prices. |