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