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Kyle's Corner
Buying an Automobile, SUV or Minivan – and Saving Money
By Kyle Busch
A vary dangerous frame of mind to be in is to "fall head over heals" for a particular make or model of vehicle based purely on emotion. Although some emotion is always part of life, it is wise to put excessive emotions aside and focus on day-in and day-out transportation needs.
Some questions to consider about transportation needs include:
- How many people will be transported in the vehicle?
- What type of objects and cargo will be transported in the vehicle (space considerations)?
- Will driving be conducted in poor weather conditions or off-road (rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive)?
- Will stop-and-go or interstate driving be performed? Thus, is an automatic, a semi-automatic or a standard transmission preferred?
- Is there a preference for a domestic or a foreign vehicle?
- In a sport-utility vehicle, is a more rugged full box type frame needed for off-road driving, or will a unit-body type frame be suitable for intended general highway driving? Additionally, what towing capacity should the sport-utility vehicle have?
- In a minivan, are sliding doors needed on both sides, the left-side or the right-side of the vehicle for easier entry and exit?
- How much will insurance cost to protect the driver and the vehicle (consider obtaining an insurance quote before buying a vehicle)?
- What is the approximate amount of money to be spent on a vehicle?
If you are not familiar with which vehicles meet your transportation needs, consider visiting a local public library to consult the yearly publication or the April issue of Consumer Reports
