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IFI Auto, Inc.
PO Box 2543
Palm Beach, FL 33480
(561) 627-2345


Copyright 1999 - 2004
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Choosing the Right Vehicle

What to look for when buying a new car

How to pick the right auto for your needs.

A little thought before you buy can save you regrets down the road. Start by asking yourself questions. Would a small, economical sedan, suit your needs? Do you need the extra passenger and cargo space of a minivan? Do you need the versatility sport-utility vehicle? Does your budget require a practical car? Do you want something sporty and fast? Do you need your vehicle for business? Do you need prestige? . Today there are more vehicle choices than ever. Only you can decide which car best serves those needs. Matching a vehicle to your needs is basically common sense. But occasionally many of us do not think of all the variables. Below are some ideas to help you make a wise decision.

To determine which type of vehicle is ideal for your lifestyle, consider these questions:

How many people will you carry?

If you carry a carload of adults, the rear-seating leg room may be important.

If you carry more than four or five passengers or you have a large family, the best solution would be either a minivan, a seven-passenger wagon or an SUV. Almost every minivan can easily carry seven passengers with comfort. Some larger SUVs and wagon can also carry up to seven passengers.
When you test drive the vehicle you may want to see how easy it is to get in and out of all the seats. Most minivans allow easy access through the side mounted sliding doors.

Do you need a lot of cargo space?

If you have a large family, enjoy outdoor activities, you need to carry supplies for the gardening and home-improvement or you travel a lot a smart choice may be a wagon, extended-length minivans or a large SUV.

On many sedans, the rear seat folds down allowing access to the trunk for carrying extra-long items. On some vehicles the front passenger seat also folds down giving you even more carrying capacity.

Do you have children?

When the are young they don't take up much room. The problem is they grow fast. If you hold on to the vehicle in a few years they may out grow the space. Think ahead.

Do the kids drive? Will they be driving soon? A safe car that is easy to handle may be a consideration. Midsized sedans are usually good choices. Larger vehicles can be harder to maneuver and park.


What are your typical driving conditions?

Are you in a wet or snowy climate with slippery or icy roads? Are you in a mountain or hilly environment? Do you need to go off-road or travel on dirt roads? Then a four wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle may be safer and quite handy.

Is fuel economy important?

Large vehicles, in most cases will have poor fuel economy. The small, and light sedans usually get the best gas mileage. Seven passenger minivans will generally get better mileage than a seven passenger SUV. The worse vehicles for gas mileage are the exta-large, super-heavy SUVs. Probably the most offensive gas-guzzler is the Hummer See our don't buy list - don't buy the .Hummer.

If you really need extraordinary mileage you might consider purchasing a hybrid gasoline/electric powered vehicle. Some of the hybrids average over 40 miles to the gallon!

Is financial independance important to you?

In so many instances people buy cars they really can't afford. Of course, they may be able to safely make the monthly payments. But in too many instances, the amount they spend on the car is an enormous waste. In fact, the purchase of new vehicles every few years is what keeps most people in financial slavery. If financial independence is important to you, it would be wiser to purchase a less expensive car with less features and then invest the difference. It would also be a smart move to buy a car 2-3 years old, and let someone else take the huge hit of depreciation. Before committing to an expensive car with huge monthly payments, maybe you should determine if a car is transportation that gets you from point A to point B, or is it an extention of your ego or personality? Only you can determince what is of priority to you. But if you desire financial independance, forgoing the expensive car may be the wisest decision you make.

In the Financial Wisdom Seminar we teach you how to save money on all your purchases. Let us help you get financially independant and wise.

Remember, my job is to help you become financially stable, secure and independent. I will do my best , you do your best.

Your author and friend,
Paul Barrett