10 Steps to Finding the Right Car for You

How do you find the car that will exactly suit your needs for years to come?

The following steps will help you select, price, locate and test-drive the vehicle that is best for you. After completing these steps, you will be ready to move on to other 10 Steps articles: buying a new car, buying a used car or leasing a new car.

This short video breaks the process into simple steps, from the research stage through the test-drive and all the way to the buying phase.

If you examine your needs rather than wants, you will quickly discover the right car for you. Take a moment to think about how you will use your car. How many passengers do you need to carry? What type of driving do you do: freeway, off road, around town? Will you drive in the ice and snow? How long is your commute? Is good fuel economy important to you? In too many cases, people choose a car for its styling instead of its functionality.

Here are a few other questions to keep in mind when you begin your car-buying process:

• Do you want a manual or automatic transmission?
• Do you really need all-wheel drive?
• What safety features are important to you?
• Do you need a lot of cargo capacity?
• Will you be doing any towing?
• Do you require adjustable seating positions?
• Will the car easily fit in your garage or parking space?

Sometimes, needs and wants don't weigh all the factors that go into making a decision.

Next: How much car can you afford?