Have you ever hopped into your car and realized this ride isn’t the right fit for your lifestyle? Perhaps it doesn’t have the looks that you favor, or getting everyone (and their things) inside is a tight squeeze. Maybe there’s a new baby on the way, or the kids’ legs are getting too long for the back seat.
Whatever the reason, that need or nagging feeling isn’t likely to go away. Fortunately, with some extra knowledge, you can make finding the right car a breeze. One of the best ways is to check out a better bid car auctions. Read on for more tips on how to find a vehicle that fits your lifestyle.
Understand Your Lifestyle
Before going online or heading to a dealer:
- Determine your lifestyle or what it might be soon.
- Take stock of your needs and preferences and think about how the right car will help you get what you want out of life.
- Consider your habits, likes, dislikes, budget, and how quickly you want or need a new set of wheels.
Ask Why You’re Looking for a Car
You may have heard you should always start a car search with a “why” question. Why are you looking for a car? This is a good exercise because it establishes a baseline for the effort and will help prevent you from going off track. For example, you’re less likely to be distracted by a sports car if you really need an SUV.
It’s okay to have multiple answers to this “why” question, as there could be many reasons you need a better-fitting vehicle. Are you looking to save money? Perhaps you want a more reliable way to get around your town? Or you simply want a car that looks better than what’s now in the garage.
Know the Different Types of Cars on the Market
If you’re not a car enthusiast, or car shopping isn’t your thing, then familiarize yourself with the different vehicle types on the market. Just because you’ve always been a sedan person, for example, doesn’t mean a minivan or crossover should be out of consideration. Thinking about all your options will help crystalize your decision as you rule particular vehicle types in or out.
Here’s a refresher with a few examples:
- Crossover (Ford Escape, Toyota Highlander): Crossovers are usually car-based vehicles made to look like SUVs, which means a boxy body with four doors and a rear hatch. Crossovers drive like cars, get better gas mileage, come in different sizes, and are what most people are talking about when they mention SUVs.
- Sport Utility Vehicle/SUV (Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition): An SUV sits on a rugged truck-type chassis that can tow greater loads than a crossover. As a result, an SUV may not handle as smoothly as a crossover and gets poorer fuel mileage.
- Sedan (Toyota Camry, Honda Accord): Once the most popular vehicle choice, sedans have been outpaced by crossovers and SUVs, but this traditional form of passenger car still meets the needs of many.
- Minivan (Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica): A minivan may not be the sharpest-looking car on the road, but they’re hard to beat if you need to haul lots of people and their gear, and don’t want a lumbering SUV.
- Pickups (Ford F-150, GMC Canyon): Pickup trucks are no longer just for work, as they offer greater levels of comfort and have options that rival passenger cars.
- Hatchback (Mazda Mazda3 Hatchback, Toyota Corolla Hatchback): Hatchbacks were once a dime a dozen. The 1990s are over, yet these cars combine the convenience of a rear hatch and easy passenger access (most modern hatchbacks have four doors).
- Coupe (Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger): Two-door coupes are now the domain of sports cars (and even though the Ford Mustang has a hatchback, it can be lumped in with coupes) and ultra-premium brands (like Mercedes, Porsche, and BMW).
- Station Wagon (Subaru Outback, Volvo V60): Another car type that has lost significant ground to utilities (crossovers and SUVs), wagons are favored by those who need to move people and things but don’t want the bulk of a larger vehicle. Except for the Outback, new wagons are now the domain of luxury brands, but shopping at auctions and used car outlets make premium wagons affordable.
- Convertible (Ford Mustang, Mazda Miata): Buying a convertible says you’re less concerned with practicality and more focused on fun. While not as common as decades ago, ragtops are still available, including those from luxury and performance brands.
Ready for Research
These days, car shopping for most people begins online. It’s ideal because you can start without having to deal with pushy salespeople or quirky private sellers. By now, you should have a good idea about your needs and preferences. Use the resulting choices as the basis for any research.
Divide your research into two steps:
#1 Look at Makes/Models
Focus initially on what to buy, rather than where to buy. Explore websites like Edmunds or KBB that provide detailed looks at cars by make and model (and model year). This information is beneficial if you’re looking for a used car, as manufacturer websites only cover the newest models. Narrow things down to a handful of models to make the task manageable.
#2 Check Out the Sellers
Knowing the models you’re interested in makes searching for sellers easier. You may interact with licensed dealers (selling new and used vehicles), private sellers, or auctions (for example, a New Jersey auction site from A Better Bid). And depending on the seller, you may never have to leave your home. It’s possible to buy a car entirely online and deliver it to your door.
With the vehicle choices narrowed down, you’re ready to make a final selection.
Wrap-Up: How to Choose a Car that Fits Your Lifestyle
Now that you’ve discovered the secret to finding the best car for your needs, you’re set to start driving with greater comfort and confidence. Remember, the key involves looking at your lifestyle, asking why you want a new car, narrowing down the vehicle type, and researching the make and model and the seller.