Create a Vehicle Profile
All this buyer's power makes it more confusing than ever, and the choices seem endless. Red or blue exterior, cloth or leather interior? Four-cylinder or V6 engine? American or import? Wagon, SUV, crossover, or minivan? All-wheel drive or front-wheel drive? ABS or regular disc brakes? It's amazing how many choices can be built into four wheels and a steering wheel. When you make a list of the features you want most, it helps to eliminate the clutter. Your profile should include tangible features, such as equipment, and intangible feel items, such as styling. Here's an example of a typical profile:
Want: Mid-sized SUV, Wagon or Minivan
Safety: Side air bags and ABS
Power: V6 engine
Looks: No boxes!
Space: Third row nice, not necessary
Interior: Heated seats, leather, with DVD
Fuel economy: Good to average
Price: $40k or so
Financing: own
Homework Makes it Work
When you've created your profile, download our 2003 New Vehicle Buying Guide. Print it out and read it through, profile in hand. Circle the vehicles you think are a good fit, then visit our site and compare side-by-side. You'll easily reduce the list by half when you compare vehicles. Take the final list and check out how other people rate the vehicles - read a professional review, check out a consumer test drive and access the forums section of our site.
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