When women ask me what car they should buy, I don’t just throw out the name of a car, truck or SUV I think they would like or that I like. Before they buy a car, I suggest that they first make a list of Needs vs Wants just like the Pros and Cons list you might make for a job change, marriage or buying a home.
As I say in my book, under the chapter called Pre-Purchase research, I want a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes but I don’t need them. I’ve found a pair of Jessica Simpson red shoes that look very much the same. My personal budget does not allow for $1,300 Manolo shoes, but I can afford the $98.00 Jessica Simpson shoes. You need to think about what you can afford should your financial situation change unexpectedly or if you decide to make a lifestyle change yourself. Think about three years down the road, not just tomorrow.
I start off asking a few questions before going to the next step… so here are just 5 questions I ask women to jot down on paper or enter into their device. The answers to these questions might change your thinking from what you want, to what you need. It may also give you some alternatives you hadn’t thought about previously.
Top 5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Buy a Car:
1. How much time, on average, do you spend in your car weekly?
2. Do you have children who need car seats? Might you need car seats in the next year or two?
3. Do you have pets and pet carriers that you take in the car with you?
4. How about sports equipment? And if you are carpooling, have you considered everyone’s gear you need to transport?
5. How important is it for your new car to fit in your garage?
There are more questions, and plenty more information you should examine before you step foot inside a dealership. For more on “Can I Afford this Car?â€, check back next week for “How to calculate a car payment that works within your budget.†You can also apply this to all your retail purchases. You never know, those Manolo Blahniks could be your next pair of shoes!
