| My recent decision to buy a car was not really a | | | | scores I watched official crash tests videos on |
| voluntary one. I had a small accident in which my | | | | the internet. Boy, I would recommend everyone |
| almost 20 years old Honda Accord was promptly | | | | to see at least one or two of those videos -- |
| written off. With such an old car even a small | | | | you'll get much more realistic picture about driving |
| bend and broken headlight is already too | | | | in a car. There are two organizations that |
| expensive to repair, so the insurance decided | | | | perform crash tests and on their websites you'll |
| they better give me $1,500, which was actually a | | | | find the safety information for many models: |
| good deal. But it left me without a car. | | | | National Highway Transportation Safety |
| So shopping for car was in order. This was | | | | Administration (NHTSA): |
| certainly an undertaking given that I haven't been | | | | Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS): |
| following up on cars at all for about 8 years since | | | | The information on these websites is very |
| I bought Honda Accord. I like driving, and do like | | | | educative and complete. It contains the |
| good cars, I even like fixing the cars to some | | | | descriptions of the tests, the results for many |
| extent, but I'm no real enthusiast. I don't read | | | | models and the video clips. You can also find a lot |
| articles on cars; I don't buy auto magazines or go | | | | of general info accumulated in the years of |
| to auto shows. I also usually do not start a | | | | research in this area. For example -- what is the |
| conversation about latest models and features. | | | | impact in front, side or rear crashes, how does |
| Similar to a presidential candidate who is seriously | | | | impact differ for front and rear passengers, how |
| "on top of things" only during the campaign -- | | | | to protect your children, the implications of |
| once elected, the interests and priorities change a | | | | increasing number of large vehicles (SUVs in |
| bit. | | | | particular) on the road (you better buy a bigger |
| Anyhow, I knew I had to do some extensive | | | | car yourself), etc. |
| research in order to be happy about what I'm | | | | The tests videos can also be found (even more |
| about to buy. So I did that, and the amount of | | | | of them) by doing a search on the web. A lot of |
| new information I've gathered was even larger | | | | them are posted on YouTube. |
| than I expected. You know, today's cars are | | | | So I figured I wanted air bags -- not only front |
| completely different things than those from 15 or | | | | ones, but also side and particularly curtain ones |
| more years ago. Features that did not even exist | | | | that protect rear seat passengers. The side and |
| before became my main focus and motivation. | | | | curtain airbags are not mandatory and they are |
| I spent several days online, just reading whatever | | | | not standard equipment. Some of the models do |
| I could find. And good thing is that all the car | | | | not have them even as an option. |
| makers have very comprehensive websites | | | | ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) was also a must -- |
| where you can find all the information you need | | | | I hate sudden stops, and if it's raining or snowing, |
| including the prices. It actually turned out that the | | | | ABS can help a lot. |
| prices I got off of these websites matched | | | | Other safety features like active stability control, |
| perfectly what I got in the dealerships -- and that | | | | traction control, active head restraints, car body |
| is with all the additions like taxes, AC fee, delivery | | | | designed to absorb the impact were also very |
| fee, pre-delivery inspection fee (PDI) and such. | | | | desirable. |
| I also read other sources, mostly looking for | | | | In the end AWD (All Wheel Drive) was something |
| experience of other people. There are a lot of | | | | to consider as well. |
| good resources on the Internet, just do a search | | | | Space |
| and you'll find whatever you're looking for -- there | | | | This was a tricky one. I had controversial |
| is so much out there. Some of them I found | | | | requirements. Most of the time we need a small |
| useful are: | | | | city car -- going to work, driving small kids to |
| Car Buying Tips: An excellent website with the | | | | school, shopping, etc. Only sometimes we'll go for |
| world of information about every aspect of car | | | | a longer vacation trip when we need larger trunk. |
| buying process. It will save you some headaches | | | | Only sometimes we'll have parents, relatives or |
| too. | | | | friends visiting when we need at least enough |
| Edmunds: Sort of a "traditional" auto portal. Also | | | | space in the back for two car seats and one or |
| covers all aspects of the topic -- from prices to | | | | more adults. Only sometimes I'll need to carry a |
| safety. And, I've heard dealers refer to this site. | | | | piece of smaller furniture or such. So should I buy |
| MSN Autos: Another general auto portal. I used it | | | | a minivan if 95% of the time it will practically be |
| a lot when I was comparing specific features of | | | | empty? Or should I buy a small car and not be |
| different models -- it has a handy comparison little | | | | able even to go for a picnic? This question is |
| tool. | | | | actually even now, after I bought the car, still |
| Automotive.com: Automobile: These two are also | | | | unresolved. Time will show how well I did on this. |
| general portals, and I used them mostly to find | | | | Convenience |
| specifications of older models including my Accord | | | | I did not need or even want things like sun roof, |
| '89 for comparison with the new models. | | | | leather seats, body coloured and heated mirrors, |
| After a few days I arrived to a set of features | | | | spoilers and such. Even power this or that wasn't |
| that I'd like to have: | | | | important to me although I've learned that these |
| New car | | | | days a number of even basic models include |
| Or almost a new car. Before I had time to | | | | power options to a good extent. So I figured, I'll |
| maintain and work on a car myself, but now, with | | | | accept it if I have to, what can I do. |
| the family and two small kids, I don't even have | | | | Fuel Economy |
| the time to think about the car, let alone do some | | | | Very important. Gas prices are going up and the |
| work. And even having a good mechanic is not | | | | oil wars are going on -- need say no more. And |
| sufficient. With an old car, there is no mechanic | | | | over the years that you own a car it adds up. It |
| that can guarantee anything -- you have to simply | | | | is actually an excellent idea to calculate the total |
| accept that you'll have unexpected problems. | | | | cost of the car over a number of years (including |
| Before I was able to take that responsibility, but | | | | gas, insurance and other maintenance costs) and |
| now, with a family and no time, I can't. So I | | | | use that figure when making the decision. So I |
| needed not only a problem-free car, but also a | | | | wanted the best fuel economy possible -- another |
| concern-free car. | | | | controversial requirement. |
| Make | | | | I was actually hoping I'll find a good diesel car, but |
| I drove domestic, Japanese and German cars | | | | in Canada there aren't many of those since we |
| before, and thought I'm going to go with Japanese | | | | have pretty high emissions standards so some of |
| once more. I thought that would give me better | | | | the good diesel cars do not qualify. And that is |
| probability of a hassle-free car for a good price. I | | | | too bad. I rented small VW Polo a few months |
| did question this decision during the research, but | | | | ago in Europe, and drove 900 km with 1.5 tanks!! |
| in the end I stuck to it. | | | | By specs it spends 4L/100km!! That's a money |
| Safety | | | | saver. And it actually produces such a nice feeling |
| With the recent car accident I wanted safety | | | | of independence -- you drive and drive and drive, |
| above all. Even in a small accident like the one I | | | | and then drive some more, and the tank is still full. |
| had, you get to experience very strongly how | | | | So sweet!! |
| utterly unprotected we all are on the road. You | | | | With all these requirements I set off to |
| absolutely don't need a lot to get killed or injured. | | | | dealerships one nice weekend. I figured I'll just go |
| And nobody really has to make any mistake, let | | | | to an auto mall, and browse. I figured later this |
| alone big mistake. One small, almost negligible thing | | | | was really not the best way to approach things. |
| happens, and there you are in a blaze of events | | | | After a whole day of looking at cars and test |
| ending with a crash. | | | | driving them, you get pretty tired and they all |
| The guy in front of me stopped short and I was | | | | look the same at the end of the day. And after |
| fraction of a moment late to react and kicked | | | | doing that for two whole days I got sick of cars |
| him a bit. Not too much -- his car didn't suffer | | | | and didn't want to buy one at all! But on the other |
| almost any damage except some scratches and | | | | hand I did collect a lot of information, and got the |
| dirt on the bumper. But then I started thinking | | | | first impressions about driving them. Then I let |
| "what if..." thoughts. It was fairly steep downhill, | | | | that settle for a while and in the meantime |
| and if it were raining...! If there was a motorcycle | | | | explored options of buying a used car, buying one |
| in front of me instead of a mini van... If I was | | | | down-south in US, or in a dealership far away |
| going faster and for some reason in a spur of the | | | | from the city where I could get a better price. |
| moment decided to avoid him by switching to | | | | Then, of course, I also needed to figure out the |
| other lane (full of cars)... If all of those things | | | | best way to pay for the car. Boy, this all takes |
| happened together... Even now when I think of | | | | time. It's a full-time project. But in the end I had |
| those things, my stomach aches. | | | | my options laid out and made a decision. |
| And then later while researching crash tests | | | | |