I’ve been looking for a new car to buy.
Mind you, it’s not for me…it’s for my mother!
As I’ve been researching cars for this special person in my life, it got me thinking about the actual process I’ve been going through in deciding on what car best suits her.
As a handful of you know, this site is more related to topics that are about the cars aesthetics. Following in this theme, I will hopefully provide a practical buyers guide from this slightly alternative point of view.
First: What do you need, what do you want?
Usually (and I use this term loosely) mothers are no-nonsense, so functionality is key! Keeping it simple would make more sense, so determine what your mother NEEDS as opposed to what you want.
What activities does your mother do? Does she drive the two big dogs to the local park?
What distances does she drive? Just the quick trips to the store or to the farm?
Is your mother good at parking? (Be honest!)
Second: What can you afford?
There is more to owning a car than buying it. There are, taxes/stamp duty/fees when you purchase it, not to mention insurance, repair, maintenance and running costs! If you are using finance keep in mind any rates and fees.
For new cars, basic models will have some safety features, but for increased levels of safety, the cost will also increase.
Third: Compare vehicles in the same genre/class
Different car makers will offer different options for cars in similar classes, so if there is one you are keen on that is missing something, take a look at what else there is on offer. If safety is a key factor in your decision making, comparing the options on their safety rating would be a good idea.
Fourth: Test driving
All cars drive differently, so this is why you test drive them! Try and best simulate the areas and conditions that your mum will be driving in the most. For example, your mother may be living in an area that has steep inclines, so check out how well the engine will perform up the hills.
It’s important that your mother tries the car out as things may not fit her dimensions. She may not like the small rear window or she may not be able to reach up high enough to close the boot door.
Fifth: Choosing the right one
In the end, there may be an obvious stand out that she is keen on buying. But more often your mother may be divided between the options to choose from so this is when you try to get opinions from others. This is good to see how people who own the car, feel about it since their purchase. You may find that there are common issues with a certain model of car, or even find tips on what to look out for on faulty models.
If all these check out and your mother is still spoilt for choice, making a decision from how a car looks does no harm as it is an item you will be seeing and using on a regular basis! Just remember when doing the research, its for your mother, not you!
Links:
www.euroncap.com – how your next car rates in safety
www.carsurvey.org – people who have cars have written comments about their experiences with it, maybe they have written about a car you are thinking of buying
