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What's Driving You?
My first car was exactly that - a first car. I bought it from my older sister.
Affectionately named Olive
Oil (due to a hazardous leak), that car took me places, both literally and
figuratively. I used Olive to haul my mini-fridge to and from four different
dorm rooms. I attached a car-top carrier to her when a group of friends caravanned
to Florida for Spring Break. I drove her home after graduation. And I outfitted
her with a classy parking tag to sit outside my first "real world" job.
Olive was my first car, and I loved her. But the photographs pinned along the
sun visor and the bobblehead in
the rear windshield didn’t exactly scream professional. Plus, as Olive
Oil neared 100,000 miles, she was screeching somethin’
fierce. Olive gradually became an oil-leaking, gas-guzzling,
money-sucking embarrassment. Like it or not, I had to get a
new set of wheels.
Chances are, sometime soon, you’ll be needing to secure some type of personal
transportation, too. So what will it be? A car, truck, or SUV? New
or used? Will you buy
or lease?
Here are some of the web sites I used in my car shopping research that
may be helpful to you in yours:
Kelley Blue Book is the trusted
resource in determining the true value of new and used vehicles. Use the information
on this site to negotiate the lowest price possible on your next vehicle. It’s
great for estimating the value of trade-ins (like Olive), too!
FuelEconomy.gov.
If you’re concerned about the environment - or about
how your wallet will be affected by ever-increasing gas prices,
this site is for you. The United States Department of Energy
delivers helpful information about gas mileage, greenhouse
gas emissions, air pollution ratings, and safety information
for new and used cars and trucks.
Beat
the Car Salesman. Frankly, I stumbled upon this site by
accident and was amused by its animated graphic of a salesman
being pounded by a boxing glove. But it really does have some
helpful hints, too! Be sure to read through the FAQs (Frequently
Asked Questions).
Vehix.com claims
it is the "road map to the automotive world."
I don’t know about that, but it’s worth
procrastinating on that term paper you have to write for tomorrow.
Take it from one who has been there: Listen to your gut. Realistically, you already
know the kind of vehicle that is best for you. You have a ballpark figure in
mind of what you’ll be able to afford (once you start receiving a steady
paycheck). You know which features are "must-haves" and which would
be fun, but frivolous. You probably already even have style and color preferences
in mind. Pat yourself on the back - half your work is done! The other half demands
some advanced study. Get everyone’s input - mom, dad, brother, sister,
friend, mechanic - anyone who is willing and able to help. Combine that with
your personal research from the sites I mentioned earlier. Then, trust yourself
to make a thoughtful, well-informed decision. You’re in the driver’s
seat now! |
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