STEPS TO BUYING A VEHICLE THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU

By Brenda Procter, University of Missouri-Columbia

	The allure of a new car is strong, but there are several considerations that you may not think about if you fall victim to the high-pressure tactics of some salespeople. Buying a car is a large commitment that involves more than the monthly payments. Following are some items to consider before buying a car:

~What size/kind of vehicle do I need? Do I have a large or small family? Do I transport several people (carpooling, taking kids to sporting events, etc.) at one time? Will I need my vehicle to pull a boat or a trailer?

~How do I plan to use the car? Will I drive the car to work everyday? Will it get dirty easily? Can it survive the weather conditions of my area? Is the car easily accessible to older or disabled family members? Does the car get good gas mileage?

~What options do I want? Is a sunroof important to me? Do I prefer power windows? Does it matter if the seats are cloth or leather?

~What price can I pay? Do I have enough room in my budget to accommodate one more debt?

~What are the other costs associated with car that I will have to pay for later? What are the insurance costs? How much are repairs? Are parts hard to find for this car? How much will the sales tax be?