You’ve probably heard the expression, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Someone can spend an hour describing what his new house looks like, and you’ll probably still walk away with an inaccurate mental image of it. However, if you see a picture of that same house, you’ll know in seconds exactly what it looks like. It stands to reason, then, that before you head out to go car shopping, you should start by analyzing photos of cars you’re considering.
The Devil Is in the Details
In our shop, we’ve seen firsthand how helpful it can be for customers to match up vehicle descriptions listed online with the photos that accompany them. One gentleman visited our pre-owned vehicle lot to test drive a standard-shift sports car he had spotted on our website. Unfortunately, due to a VIN decoding issue, the listing was incorrect and the car was an automatic. Had he taken a few seconds to match up the vehicle description with its photos, he quickly would have realized the shifter was an automatic, and he would have saved the hour and a half roundtrip drive to our shop
If you are insistent your next car has a sunroof, specific trim package, leather seats, third row seating or a DVD player, start with a photo to find your perfect ride. However, don’t stop with the photo. The way a car looks should only be a small part of your overall decision.
How to Choose the Right Vehicle for Your Lifestyle
Beyond looking for a car you find attractive, make sure you search for cars that will fit in with your lifestyle. First, consider how many people and pets will be riding in your car. If it will be just you, or you and a spouse, a two-seater should be sufficient. If you regularly transport more than one person and use your car to haul groceries or luggage, you may be more comfortable in a compact or midsized vehicle. If you drive your kids, their friends and your pets around town often, opt for an SUV or minivan with a third row. If you work in construction or do extensive home-improvement jobs, a utilitarian pickup truck would come in handy.
How Much Car Can You Afford?
Price is one of the most important factors that determine automobile purchases. If affordability is one of your most important car-buying criteria, consider purchasing a quality pre-owned vehicle. As soon as a new car drives off the dealership lot, it begins depreciating in value. For that simple reason, you cansave significant money with a pre-owned model. These cars are typically trade-ins whose drivers are buying their next new car or leased cars whose lease terms have ended. If you do your homework, a pre-owned vehicle can be a smart purchase, especially if you want to save money.
If you’re interested in finding the ideal new-to-you car, check out our extensive inventory of quality pre-owned vehicles. Contact us today with any questions you may have or to schedule a test drive.
