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Choosing a Reasonable Car
- By Brenda Williams
- Published 05/31/2009
- Automotive
- Unrated
Buying a car for the first time can seem like the most exciting experience while at the same time being one of the most daunting. If you are thinking about purchasing your first vehicle, there are several things you should be aware of prior to taking a trip down to the dealership.
First of all, if you don't really have an idea of what kind of car you like, or if you're just interested to see something in the flesh- check the times that the dealerships are open (most have online store hours, etc.). After you verify the times that the dealerships are open, head down the dealership AFTER it closes. The main reason for doing this is so that you don't have to worry about being hassled by a salesperson. While not all salespeople are sneaky, the vast majority won't know well enough to leave you alone. I remember one instance when I went to a dealership on the weekend after it was closed and was actually approached by a man who was wandering the parking lot full of cars as well. I assumed that he was there looking at vehicles since there were several of us who had clued into the fact that going after hours was better in terms of not having to deal with pesky salespeople. Meanwhile, low and behold, when he approached me, he started talking to me about the kind of car I was looking at. I suspected that something was up, and sure enough at the end of the conversation, he handed me his business card. He was a salesman who worked at that dealership!
Choosing a reasonable car means doing some homework. If you know that you want a car that is good on gas mileage but will also allow you enough space for your groceries and maybe a passenger or two, then you'll probably find out soon enough that that little convertible you had your eye on isn't the best fit. Many people build up their hopes for getting a “certain type” of vehicle only to realize in the end (if they're smart about it) that it is not a practical choice for them and their lifestyle. I actually joke around with my boyfriend sometimes that purchasing a BMW convertible probably wasn't the best idea in the world because now whenever we want to drive somewhere that's not within a twenty minute range, we typically take my car. This isn't to say that his little two-seater couldn't make it up to New York and back, but my guess is that it wouldn't be the most comfortable ride, not to mention the fact that I don't think that is what those types of cars are made for (long distance driving).
Know and understand what your needs and demands are in your life. If you coach soccer on the weekends and have children to tote around, you're probably going to have your eye on a minivan or something that can comfortably accommodate a group of people plus other items, accessories or food. If you live by yourself, then the convertible might make sense or some other sort of compact car that is a little more affordable. If you have an endless income, then the sky is the limit obviously. Choose wisely, however, so that you don't regret it after the fact.
First of all, if you don't really have an idea of what kind of car you like, or if you're just interested to see something in the flesh- check the times that the dealerships are open (most have online store hours, etc.). After you verify the times that the dealerships are open, head down the dealership AFTER it closes. The main reason for doing this is so that you don't have to worry about being hassled by a salesperson. While not all salespeople are sneaky, the vast majority won't know well enough to leave you alone. I remember one instance when I went to a dealership on the weekend after it was closed and was actually approached by a man who was wandering the parking lot full of cars as well. I assumed that he was there looking at vehicles since there were several of us who had clued into the fact that going after hours was better in terms of not having to deal with pesky salespeople. Meanwhile, low and behold, when he approached me, he started talking to me about the kind of car I was looking at. I suspected that something was up, and sure enough at the end of the conversation, he handed me his business card. He was a salesman who worked at that dealership!
Choosing a reasonable car means doing some homework. If you know that you want a car that is good on gas mileage but will also allow you enough space for your groceries and maybe a passenger or two, then you'll probably find out soon enough that that little convertible you had your eye on isn't the best fit. Many people build up their hopes for getting a “certain type” of vehicle only to realize in the end (if they're smart about it) that it is not a practical choice for them and their lifestyle. I actually joke around with my boyfriend sometimes that purchasing a BMW convertible probably wasn't the best idea in the world because now whenever we want to drive somewhere that's not within a twenty minute range, we typically take my car. This isn't to say that his little two-seater couldn't make it up to New York and back, but my guess is that it wouldn't be the most comfortable ride, not to mention the fact that I don't think that is what those types of cars are made for (long distance driving).
Know and understand what your needs and demands are in your life. If you coach soccer on the weekends and have children to tote around, you're probably going to have your eye on a minivan or something that can comfortably accommodate a group of people plus other items, accessories or food. If you live by yourself, then the convertible might make sense or some other sort of compact car that is a little more affordable. If you have an endless income, then the sky is the limit obviously. Choose wisely, however, so that you don't regret it after the fact.