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NEEDS AND DESIRES (1)
Buying a car is very much a matter of balancing what
you can really afford with what you want. After all,
a car is seen by most people as an extension of their
personalities. However, when decision time comes,
you have to remain sensible. These days, there are
so many new vehicle niches on the market that it may
even be difficult to decide which type of car you
need.
Take the following things
into account:
- What are you primarily going to use the car
for (commuting to work, longdistance travel,
or a bit of both?)
- How many people will be traveling with you?
- How old are your children? Younger kids are
more likely to dirty a vehicle's interior.
- What outdoor activities do you participate
in? Do you need to transport bicycles, scuba equipment,
etc?
- Look for the best overall package for your
budget – fuel economy, space, quality, performance,
safety, styling and servicing costs should all
be considered.
- Is it a first, second or if you're fortunate
enough, a third car?
For instance, a conventional four-door saloon is
still a good option for a family. It
is usually spacious enough for a family of five, with
their luggage. But what about an MPV? They are more
spacious and have versatile seating arrangements,
enabling you to transport bigger loads when not carrying
passengers. However, MPVs have a higher centre of
gravity, so they may not handle, steer or brake as
well as a normal saloon. And they are more expensive.
The 4x4/SUV craze is still popular. Unfortunately,
many people buy these vehicles for their image, but
few actually use their full capabilities, which makes
the purchase a bit pointless. Some people like the
raised seating position of an SUV because it makes
them‘feel' safe. But remember, because of these
vehicles' size and height, they are a bit less stable
as a result. They also tend to be more expensive to
maintain, and use more fuel.
There's no sense in buying a two-door sportscar if
you've just got married and are planning a family.
Take a longer-term approach. What do you need right
now? And how will your needs change in the next three
or four years? We all want to drive a really good
looking or luxurious car, but are items such as heated
seats really necessary in our climate?
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