Features: What to look for when buying a car
Anyone shelling out cash (or financing) to buy a new car is likely to spend a good chunk of life inside it, sitting on its seats, listening to the stereo system, feeling the ride, etc. Of course, purchasing an expensive piece of equipment that will be a primary means of transportation for you and possibly your family is daunting enough without being reminded of the long-term ramifications of your purchasing decisions.
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Once you have a general idea of what type of car you want to purchase Links'>External Links.
''NOTE: ShopWiki does not crawl car manufacturer sites for new cars. It does, however, turn up good results for some antique and used cars. ''
Things to Consider
* '''Mileage''': Estimate how much you travel on average and in what conditions (stop20s. Luxury cars and SUVs average a dismal 15 to 18.
Hybrids, built for fuel efficiency, get some 45 mpg.
* '''Seating''': How much seating do you need? What's the most the vehicle can hold, ''with seatbelts for each passenger''? Are the seats comfortable, not only for drivers but also rear-seat passengers? Are they comfortable for children? Will the seats require maintenance? Are you likely to spill on the seats and, if yes, how hard would it be to clean these seats? Does the seating reconfigure and how (an issue with minivans and SUVs)?
* '''Storage Space''': How much trunk space do you have? Do the rear seats fold down to create more space? What sort of things will you actively carry in your car Boxes? Clothes? Bikes? Furniture? Luggage? Do you need a roof rack?
* '''The Ride: '''Always test drive! Do you feel in control of the car? You should sense the car both gliding and grounded, without it acting wimpy when turning, braking, or accelerating. Can you feel comfortable bursts of power when you hit the gas or the brakes?
* '''Transmission''': Manual vs. automatic is a matter of preference. You probably know if you want to drive manual, though consider if others who might drive the car in emergency situations know how to drive stick. Also, not all automatic transitions are the same you'll want five speeds, not the three some economy cars carry.
* '''Air Bags''': New cars are required to have front air bags and side beams, and some models now carry side bags. The more 'new' safety features, the better.
* '''Sound System''': How many speakers are there and where are they located? Do you have/want a CD player? How many preset stations does the radio allow? Is satellite radio an option?
* '''Other features''' that are nice to have but not absolutely essential: Anti-lock brakes, power windows, sunroof, climate control, towing ability (for vans, trucks and SUVs), climate control, keyless entry, security system, and traction control.
* The definition of "standard" constantly shifts along with new technologies and services.
This article from About.com covers "'''The 10 Features Your Next Car Should Have'''," from GPS to roadside assistance, though one might add that these are still, for the time being, "luxury" features.
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