What's The Right Vehicle For Me?

                You’ve come to that point in your life where it’s time to think about buying a vehicle. Whether it’s your first, you are upgrading, or even adding to your collection there are some things to consider that will get you into a vehicle that is right for you. You walk out onto the car lot and suddenly you are overwhelmed by the sheer selection in front of you. It’s easy to look at the beautiful, shining options and start imagining yourself in one... or more.  It’s easy to be intrigued by the beauty of a vehicle, and there is certainly something to be said for the feeling of sitting behind the wheel of something spectacular. But before we get carried away with an enticing purchase, let’s make sure it’s going to be the right fit.

                There are several things to contemplate to help you make the right choice. Take a look at the type of life you lead; your lifestyle, family situation, financial position, and your future plans will all be important factors in the choice you make. Take a good look at the way you live your life and any plans you have in the next few years. If you are newly married, are children in the forecast? If you already have kids, how old are they? What stages are they going to be going through in the near future? What are your hobbies? Do you ski, snowmobile, camp or do you spend your time going to the movies and local shopping malls? Take a look at your financial situation, have you been putting money away to go towards your purchase, or are you living paycheque to paycheque?

 

                 Now that you’ve had a look at the way you live your life, you can start to look at what kind of vehicle options are available that will suite your life. If you have a family or are planning to start one you will want to look at what safety options available and what kind of cargo space a vehicle has. If your kids are still in diapers you will need room for car seats, strollers, diaper bags, etc. Older kids require room for sports gear, school bags and projects, friends and more. Bottom line kids need space. If you are single or childless, look at how many of your friends or family members you generally tote around. Also, don’t forget your pets, they need room too. If you are an outdoor enthusiast you will probably want to look at 4X4 options. Some people spend a lot of time travelling on the highway, either for work or pleasure; if that’s the case maybe something with great fuel economy would best suit you. There are additional options to add to your comfort, think about technology to make your life a little easier. Here are a few things to look at when considering vehicle options:

Safety Features	Storage Space	Technology Options	Fuel Economy
Seatbelts	Number of Seats	Blue Tooth	Gas vs. Diesel
Airbags	Trunk/Hatch	GPS	MPG
Antilock Brakes	Folding Seats	Built in DVD	Hybrid
Traction Control	Seats that Store in the floor	Built in Tire Pressure Gage	Weight/Size
All Wheel Drive	Truck Box	Car Starter	Newer Model
Weight of Vehicle	Roof Rack	Alarm
Car Seat Anchors	Compartments	Stereo System

                Sometimes you have to sacrifice one thing for another when it comes to choosing something that is right for you. If you have large family you probably won’t be able to have a small fuel efficient car, it can pose a challenge when trying to get all the kids and the groceries in after a trip to Costco. Also, budget can really determine what features you are able to afford; take a close look at what is most important to you in case you have to make a hard choice. 

                Now you have narrowed down what you need to suit your life, and your budget. You can head down to the dealership and get an experienced Salesperson to help you to pick out that beautiful vehicle. If you took the time to really look at your life you should be happy with your purchase for years to come. Happy Driving!

-Muriel Rolufs