As you try to decide what type of car you want to buy, consider the following:

• If you already have a car, what do you like and dislike about it

• Do you want a lot of passenger space?

• Do you want two doors or four?

• Do you prefer a standard or an automatic transmission?

• How much does prestige matter?

• What about better fuel economy?

• Is your heart set on purchasing a new car, or are you willing to settle for a well-maintained used one?

• How much can you afford to spend?

You'll also want to keep in mind such factors as resale value, maintenance, and insurance costs. It may be helpful to consult one of the many car-buying guides to help you choose a vehicle and give you information on pricing, reliability, and safety. Many are available on-line.

Once you have narrowed down your choices, you'll want to visit some dealerships and take those cars for a test-drive. When you get behind the wheel, ask yourself:

• Is there plenty of legroom and headroom?

• Is it easy to load passengers and cargo?

• Is the seat comfortable?

• Is the control panel visible and accessible?

• Is there enough trunk space?

• Does the car ride smoothly?

• Does the car have good acceleration and handling?

Copyright 2003 Forefield, Inc.

As you try to decide what type of car you want to buy, consider the following:

• If you already have a car, what do you like and dislike about it

• Do you want a lot of passenger space?

• Do you want two doors or four?

• Do you prefer a standard or an automatic transmission?

• How much does prestige matter?

• What about better fuel economy?

• Is your heart set on purchasing a new car, or are you willing to settle for a well-maintained used one?

• How much can you afford to spend?

You'll also want to keep in mind such factors as resale value, maintenance, and insurance costs. It may be helpful to consult one of the many car-buying guides to help you choose a vehicle and give you information on pricing, reliability, and safety. Many are available on-line.

Once you have narrowed down your choices, you'll want to visit some dealerships and take those cars for a test-drive. When you get behind the wheel, ask yourself:

• Is there plenty of legroom and headroom?

• Is it easy to load passengers and cargo?

• Is the seat comfortable?

• Is the control panel visible and accessible?

• Is there enough trunk space?

• Does the car ride smoothly?

• Does the car have good acceleration and handling?

Copyright 2003 Forefield, Inc.