What Should Consumers Be Looking For In Car Reviews?

Choosing a new or used vehicle is a daunting decision

. It should take some time, thought and calculation. To some its a major purchasing decision and to others a new car might be just considered a new toy to play with.

Im new to the Canadian car review scene, but over the last couple of years, Ive driven close to 60 different vehicles and am a member of AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada). When I write my car reviews, I make sure to always voice my opinions on what I liked and disliked. I always touch on how it accelerates, handles, comfort level, amongst many other components. At the end, what I always try to do is find the type of buyer that best suits that particular vehicle.

The problem that results from this is that everyone is different and not classified in a certain category. One soccer mom can be looking for an SUV that can take the kids to school and around the block for some groceries, while another might be focused on long road-trips and luggage space. My point is we cannot typecast a certain individual with a particular vehicle and as a consumer there are many steps to purchasing a new or used vehicle.

Car reviews are just one aspect one should consider. And you need to take from each car review the specific points that are valuable to you and not as a whole. The key to deciding on what to buy rests with the test drive. Let me go through some key steps in narrowing your decision.

First off, you need to figure out what your budget is. How much can you afford to pay? Are you going to be buying the car in full? Financing? Leasing? You need to figure that out before anything else otherwise, you will be wasting lots of time.

Once you figure out your budget, you need to assess what type of car you are looking for. Theres plenty of choice out there when it comes to picking the right vehicle for you or your family. Are you looking for a smaller car like a subcompact? Are you looking for a family car? Or are you a luxury or sports car enthusiast? Pick which type of car suits your needs not just at the time of purchase, but in the near future.

Now that youve chosen the type of vehicle you need or desire, start gathering information from various car reviews and manufacturer websites. Its always best to seek out different car reviews, as one reviewer might be writing on the performance aspects of the car; while another, might be focused on daily commutes and fuel efficiency. It never hurts to look at many different perspectives and find the answers youre looking for.

More information can only add to your knowledge of a vehicle, but it can also have you searching for weeks and months. Seek out two-to-three reviews for each vehicle that you like and then compare the aspects of each vehicle through the manufactures websites. You can easily Google them by typing Honda Canada, Nissan Canada, Ford Canada, etc. The manufacturers websites can provide you some additional specifications that you couldnt get in the reviews, along with an exact price, and countless interior and exterior pictures.

Once youve concluded all these steps and narrowed your decision to hopefully a max of three-to-four cars you are now set for the ever-important test drive. The car reviews and information might have brought you to that particular dealership for a test drive, but now the final stage will truly determine if youre comfortable with that vehicle. The rest comes down to personal preference. Look for the car reviews as a research-seeking aspect of the purchasing decision, but in the end, use only the information that suits you and your driving situation.

by: David Miller

POST COMMENT

What Consumers Want From Mobile Marketers How Vital Are Consumer Reviews? Consumer Reports - A Power Factor Consumer Bureau Brings In Rules For Risky Mortgages The Price Of Gas For Truckers Will Soon Affect Consumers Consumer Reports - A Cautionary Tale Mobile Friendly, Tablet Friendly, Consumer Friendly Consumer Reports Gives High Rating To Bosch Appliances The Support Of Consumer Payment Card The Practice Of Subliminal Perception: How Marketers Manipulate The Minds Of Consumers Giorgio Armani The Brand Consumers Trust Blindly Best Wrinkle Cream Consumer Reports There Are Times When A Consumer Needs To Hire A Fridge, Seek A Plasma. Where Should A Consumer Turn?