How to Select the Perfect Set of Wheels for Your Needs

There is no perfect car. But some vehicles do a lot of things well. To find the right one, you need to examine your needs. Here are certain things you should take into consideration if you want to pick the right car for yourself.

The Number of Passengers You Will Carry

Most two-door sedans and coupes can carry up to five people; however, it is important to note that the center-rear position may, in fact, be so uncomfortable that it could barely even qualify as a seat. That is something you should certainly try out when you’re taking test drives. If you transport a lot of passengers, consider a minivan or three-row SUV.

The Cargo You Will Be Carrying

It’s no surprise that SUVs and minivans are the most popular vehicles for people who need to carry a lot of cargo. If you plan to haul cargo, choose a pickup truck. If you don’t really carry any cargo while driving, a hatchback or sedan will do the job.

Manual vs. Automatic

There’s no debating the fun of dropping the transmission into gear yourself, but there are also some solid reasons to go with an automatic. One is that automatics actually wring more efficiency out of cars than manual transmissions do. Another is that modern automatics typically provide a choice of six-, seven-, or eight-speeds—almost like having multiple gears in the same transmission.

Your Lifestyle

If you’re a commuter who spends 35 hours per week on the road, you’ll probably want to focus on practicality. You’ll want a car that runs day in and day out with little hassle. Useful, high-quality features are also more important to you than styling—you don’t want to waste time looking for your cell phone at the bottom of one of the storage bins in your car. So, before you zero in on a vehicle, make sure to take your lifestyle and needs into consideration.

Power or Fuel Economy?

Do you value power or fuel economy? For most drivers, there is no conflict since most cars, as well as SUVs, have a range of transmission and engine combinations. So, you can pick a car that offers you a good balance of both power and fuel economy. But if you want a vehicle that offers extreme fuel economy, remember that you can’t expect it to also be super powerful (and vice versa).