How to Pick a Car

So, you're old car has kicked the bucket and you need to get a new one. What should you get?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Consider when in the market for a new car is how much car can you afford. Don't get in over your head with monthly payments as that will take the joy right out of owning a new car. There are numerous calculators online that you can use for free that calculate this kind of thing for you. They're all free, so use it.
2. Next, consider is what stage you're at in your life. Do you have a young family with multiple kids that you're carting around to 20 different places 7 days a week? Are you in a carpool at work? Have the kids grown up and moved away and now it's time for mom and dad to have a hot little 2 seater?
3. After you've decided how much car you need and can afford, it's time to do some research online. There are multiple publications you can subscribe to that will help you with this as well as several web sites that will do an in-depth analysis and rate different cars in a certain class.
4. After you've narrowed your choices down to about 5 types of cars, it's time to visit the dealers and test drive them. Don't make a decision until you've driven all of your final contenders.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to walk away from a dealer if you don't feel you're being treated fairly.
• take your time to make sure the car you settle on has all of the things that are important to you.
• If you have good credit don't settle for high interest rates on a car loan. Too many dealers are now offering 0.0% financing or 1.9% financing so take your time and find the best rates.